Things are a bit crazy these days, with the presidential politics at a fevered pitch and local elections all but ignored. Do you think it’s different to be “partisan” than to simply be firm in your beliefs? Let me put it another way: I am a Republican and believe seriously in less government, but I’m not extremely partisan; I am friends with people of all persuasions, lots of Rs and Ds, even Dan who’s a Libertarian type and Bill, who’s totally neutral–(maybe that comes from working in the Secret Service for all those years!). I honestly don’t understand why some people get angry, really angry if you don’t see things their way. And if you ask a question about why they believe in their candidate, they come unglued.
Are we back to tribal thinking? Is it all about my “team” against your “team”? Other thoughts?
Mary, I have a feeling that people don’t have a clue on how to respond to your above opinion. People can be partisan without being angry. Your statement seems to push people into political correctness. I want my team to win because in United States elected officials are increasingly voting along party lines. This means that if you have strong beliefs in how the county is to be governed you are rather forced to be part of a team. This is a watershed election. The consequences are huge. We will either have bigger government and more wealth distribution or a chance to hold these things in line. We can continue with freedom of speech or have the “fairness doctrine” limit dissent. I love my family members who are liberal. Politically we are on different teams because we hold different beliefs. I do not want the county to be controlled by their team therefore I am a proud partisan. Political correctness that tell us it is wrong to be partisan only itimitates people from having strong beliefs and the guts to work for their team.
Comment by Mama Bear — October 22, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Thanks, Mama Bear, for responding to my probably awkward thoughts. I am not trying to promote political correctness, but I am frustrated with how people are behaving these days. I’m conservative and like to discuss things like the election and our choices of the two candidates. But when relatives or some friends are “inspired” about their liberal candidate, and I don’t agree, they seem to get upset. And if I ask them why they are voting for their person and they can’t give reasons, I’m frustrated.
You are so right when you say that our choice this time is critical to our future as a nation. That’s why this public vitriol and rancor bothers me. It is so important for us to make the right decision. We should be able to talk about the candidates, their plans, their experience, etc. without dropping into anger that shuts the whole conversation down. But that’s not what I’m finding out there.
As an example, two weeks ago my column in the Sunday Press was about eminent domain and property rights. I used Gov. Sarah Palin as a lead in for the topic because she had just spoken to the issue the week before and I agree with her stand on the issue. The comments under my column on the Press’ online site were horrendous. They were sexist insults against Gov. Palin and were an angry diatribe of ongoing negative comments about her. It was shocking to me that there could be that kind of base rage out there for a respected and respectable Vice Presidential candidate.
So perhaps I used the concept of “partisan” incorrectly. I just wish we could talk about these issues without devolving into senseless name calling.
Comment by mary — October 22, 2008 @ 4:07 pm