I've found it very interesting lately on facebook to see how much some of my friends are in to politics, and which side they come down on. It's not quite a 50-50 split, but it's close. The 'democrats' are a little more vocal, posting links and stories, while the 'republicans' show up more with just a 'like' on a particular candidate or issue. But there has been some arguing I've seen, which surprises me a bit.
Here's my deal...the world, to me, is not black and white. It's usually varying shades of gray. I'm not a republican or a democrat. Neither side truly describes what I believe. If I had to classify myself, which I seem to often have to do, it would be libertarian...let everyone live their life and have government stay the hell out of it as much as possible. But I don't agree with everything they say, either.
There are so many of these arguments that I see, and to be completely honest with you, I find them rather petty. Android vs Apple. PC vs Mac. Coke vs Pepsi. PlayStation vs X Box. McDonald's vs Burger King. Country vs Rap. Blonds vs Brunettes. And Democrat vs Republican. On and on and on.
I just don't understand it. I personally like my Android phone...doesn't mean I have to chastise you for liking your iPhone. I play games on my PlayStation 3...X Box has some great games, too. I like rap AND country (and pop, and metal, and show tunes...in case you're keeping track.) And, although I disagree with some of the policies of the current president, it doesn't mean that I hate him or think he's trying to destroy America. I don't agree with Romney, either. I believe both men are qualified, or else they wouldn't have made it this far, and both are trying to do what's right for the country. I just have to make the best choice I can for the one who seems to think the most like I do.
It's not to say that I don't get caught up in it, too, though. It's the same way with sports...I hate the University of Florida. Why? Because I'm a Tennessee fan, and that's their rival. If I were a Texas fan, I'd hate Oklahoma. But I realize it's irrational...just rooting for laundry. And it's acceptable, at least in my circle. I know I'm going to take shit from my friends when Ohio State plays Tennessee...and it's fun. There's not the animosity that seems to be prevalent with so many of the items that I see argued about.
But what really pisses me off is that so many of the arguments are "this is why your choice sucks." I find this annoying, and I tune it out. So many of the posts, especially about politics, are "this is why you shouldn't vote for Obama" or "this is why Romney sucks." This is a piss poor tactic in any debate...if you're trying to change my mind about something, the WORST way to do it is by insulting a choice I've already made. Tell me why you like your decision, try to persuade me, and I'll listen, at least for a bit. Call me an idiot, even indirectly, and my thought immediately becomes "kiss my ass" rather than "maybe you're right."
I don't know...maybe I should be taking more of a stand on things, feel more of a conviction. Or, maybe we should all stop making everything an "us vs them" proposition, and listen a bit more. Maybe we'd find that we have more in common than what we think.
