Usually
I stay pretty quiet when it comes to politics. I have my beliefs, my
opinions, my viewpoints. There is really only one person I've ever met
that I do everything in my power to get them riled up about politics and
sadly I do it for fun. Yes, I get a kick out of getting him riled up
about politics. And it works every time. And sadly I've put this person
in their place more than once. I play devil's advocate to them about
pretty much everything, even if I totally agree. Again, I kind of get a
kick out of it with them, but otherwise I keep quiet.
Politics
and religion are areas that get real heated real fast and can cause
people to hate each other. Just look at this past year on Facebook...
WOW! I've seen more hateful comments directed toward people with
different opinions than I think I ever have before. I get standing up
for what you believe and even for trying to persuade someone else into
believing how you believe, but sometimes you have to agree to disagree,
because at the end of the day you're either going to be friends or
you're not. If you're not, you definitely won't get someone to see
something in a different way and if you are, don't ruin a friendship
over stupid hurtful comments just because you believe different things.
I
have been friends with a lot of people who have different opinions than
I do. Be a good listener. Hear them out. Nothing says you have to agree
with their point of view, ever, but sometimes it might just expand your
thinking and make you more solidified on your stance. Take a lesson
from the show Last Man Standing... get into a heated debate with someone
with different beliefs than you, but... take the opposite stance than
you currently are at. So if you're Conservative, debate for the Liberal.
If you're Liberal, take the Conservative side. If nothing else, you'll
do research and find out how you really feel about an issue and see it
from both stand points.
This
was a hard election. I am 33 years old. This is my 4th presidential
election. I was old enough to vote during the election where George W.
Bush was elected for a second term. Then both of Barack Obama's winning
elections and now the Donald Trump Election. That makes 4 elections. I
was only 17 the first winning election for Bush. I have to say this is
the most heated, most hurtful election I have seen yet to date. Maybe
that's because so many more people are on social media than ever before.
Maybe topics just got more heated. Maybe..... the possibilities of the
reasons are endless. But this is the most hateful election I have ever
seen.
Obviously
I wasn't around in the 1800's but from what I learned in text books at
school, you know, the things they want you to know... I feel like our
country is about as divided as it was when the Civil War broke out.
There again I don't know. It's just a thought that crossed through my
mind the other day. I remember in 2001 when the World Trade towers were
hit and our country came together and mourned the losses as a whole
nation. In the last 15 years, we've been split so bad that it is almost
like we're multiple nations. Everyone attacks everyone and that's not
okay. We are the United States of America even if we disagree on certain
topics. Agree to disagree. That's what makes our country great. So many
different people with so many different opinions and ways to keep it
great that it works.
A
friend shared a post on Facebook where the gal talked about how
Everything will be okay. She posted it the morning of the election and
then went back and added/edited some thoughts after the results were
announced. You can read her article here.
I agree, Everything will be okay. The good thing is there is that thing called checks
and balances so while the president does "trump" (pardon the pun)
things... it has to make it through the house and the senate. Currently it is a heavy Republican Congress right now but....
not all Republicans agree with everything Trump stood for. They may agree with this but not that.
Then
there are those under the table deals that happen. Sad but true. While
they made it known that Trump had nothing to gain from third party
people, there are those in Congress that do have things to gain from
special interest groups. Those lobbying special interest groups still
"slip money under the table" to get someone in Congress on their side
and those people report to the president. New laws, new amendments, etc
have to go through the house and the senate before they cross across the
President's desk. And another thought.... no president can undo or redo
or do everything in 1 day, sometimes not even in 4 years. It took a 2nd
term for Obama Care to finally make it in place for example.
Some
things people won't agree with but that's the case
with every president that has ever been in power. So sometimes it is
okay to agree to disagree. That's what keeps us all on our toes and
striving for better.
I'm going to quote a friend's comment on Facebook, "No matter who you voted for, or if "your candidate" won [or your candidate lost], everyone who
voted should be proud. You should be proud that you live in a country
that allows your voice to be heard. GOD BLESS THE USA!"
Labels: Life, Thoughts
