Here is my one and only political post. You may be offended by what I'm about to say. If so, I apologize, I am just using this space to vent this evening, as I have reached my fill with the political field.
I am SO tired of hearing everyone's opinions. Yes, I understand that everyone has the right to voice them. But I also have the right to not listen to any of them.
I was raised in a household where elections were not discussed. I'm not sure my mom knows to this day who my Dad voted for ever. Did my parents watch the debates and do their research - like every responsible American citizen, of course they did. But did they debate the issues between each other? Not ever in front of me. Did they put signs in their front yard or bumper stickers on their cars proclaiming their "candidate of choice"? NO WAY. This year especially I have pondered where the secrecy of their feelings and actions stemmed from. I can't help but believe that part of it was that my father was in the military. He was going to be responsible for answering to the future President of the United States. He was going to follow his orders whether he agreed with him or not. Thus, I grew up believing that this was a private issue that is not to be discussed with anyone else other than God.
My husband has never, and will never know who I vote for at each election though our married life. We simply do not discuss it. We try to educate our son (who is only 4) on the importance of having an opinion, understanding what politicians stand for, and voting on election day. We have tried especially this year to help him learn each of the candidates names and what role the President of the United States plays in our country and lives. I feel like this is our parental duty. He must grow up understanding our country and the way it works to eventually become a responsible, involved citizen.
I think that many people view my lack of expression as a lack of interest or disagreement. This is not at all the case. I simply do not want to hear your opinions, be swayed by anything but facts, or listen to someone bad mouth and rant and rave about our future President. I think it's disrespectful. I was recently in a room full of people who were debating issues (although they were all on the same side - go figure that out...). When I didn't speak up during the entire conversation they took that to mean that I supported the opposite side. Ha ha. Not true. I was in total agreement with everything that was coming out of their mouths, but I just chose to keep mine shut.
I just don't understand why people feel the need to send forwards to others "pushing" their opinions on matters, why people post things on websites such as blogs, facebook, myspace, etc. Do you really think that everyone that is going to read them is that uneducated, that stupid as to not form their OWN opinion?
I just don't get why people don't keep their opinions to themselves. (That was a general statement...I don't understand that about every subject, not just politics.) I honestly TRY (and don't always succeed - obviously, or I wouldn't have posted this blog), to keep my opinion to myself unless asked for it. Why can't everyone do that?!?!
7 comments:
I'm sorry you had to read my stuff! I think from now on I'll title my stuff very obiously (MY OPINION ABOUT _____) so that people can avoid what they don't want to hear about...lol. I'm not sure if your questions were rhetorical, but since I'm quite sure I'm one of many being referred to... MY reason is that I feel that keeping my opinions to myself is the same thing as agreeing with someone, and a lot of times I don't want to be known as someone who agrees with the actions or opinions of someone else. I want to be known as someone who stands up for what they believe, and I want people to know where I'm coming from. (This does not mean that I don't think you stand up for what you believe, so please don't be offended by that) I might disagree with the lifestyle of family members, opinions of colleagues (when I was working), or the actions and decisions of individuals. I feel that if I don't say anything, 1- I present myself as supportive, 2- nothing will change (this is the case with my current school predicament), or 3- I will continue to be subjected to the action/lifestyle/philosophy, and there are a lot of lifestyles and substances that I can't stand for in my life or around my children. This need to voice my opinion applies to all of my life, not just politics. Just thought I'd share, and I don't think that you're apathetic about current events or social issues. I know you do what is right for you! I will eternally be curious about your vote though! lol... :-) I promise I won't ask.
I think people share opinions as a way to figure out what they really believe - to talk through them, process ideas, get feedback.
Well, really pushy people don't share for that reason. They just love to talk and be bossy!
Really, I think there is value in communicating ideas with others to help you form or solidify your ideas. My friend Jena wrote this note on facebook... about how to be a gentle citizen and Christian that I think you'd like to read - no its not political and no, its not pushy. It is very thoughtful about how God uses us to make good choices and how to "check" yourself when you are acting inappropriate about opinions.
I agree with both of you - Bethany, I think that everyone needs that "someone" to talk their thoughts out with. Someone to bounce ideas off of and have the other person be perfectly honest with them and tell them when they're "out of line". Really I was referring to those "pushy people" you mentioned in your comment. Those are the ones I don't understand. I read your friend's note and I think the first few paragraphs were awesome. Pretty much exactly how I feel...she's just much more eloquent than I am! :0)
Kelley - Don't ever be sorry! I didn't HAVE to read your stuff! Like I said at the beginning of the post - I truly believe that everyone is entitled to publicize their opinions! Not that I'm against that right (because you know me - I take advantage of it at times as well!!!), I just get frustrated with it at times. Especially at times like this when I'm surrounded by such strong opinions 24 hours a day! Seriously - DON'T BE SORRY OR FEEL BAD!
ps - Kelley...I've been pondering your statement all morning and I wanted to thank you for sharing your reasoning with me. Although I probably won't change simply because that's who I am, I now have a better understanding as to why people feel the need to voice their opinions when they aren't asked for. I think this will help me keep the anger simmered down when someone does this to me the next time. :0) You're a great friend!
I am sure, like Kelley, that my posts are partly to blame for this post. And that is fine- but I must somewhat defend MY REASON, not everyone's reasons for voicing opinions on anything not just politics. I believe that if you believe in something you should promote it. I believe you should explain to others why you believe in this something and why you are supporting it. I believe you should fill people full of facts and your reasoning (politically I don't believe you should make posts saying BO is the anti-christ, or JM has committed treason on the country- I would like to think that people don't actually believe these posts, but the reality is they do... they posted them because they believe them and other people who have done no research or seen no different believe them too)
But any issue you feel strong enough about to have an opinon, I think you should share your reasoning with the world, whether it be an organization - I know we support the CCFA , Relay for Life and March of Dimes and when that time of year comes I Try to educate people with as much knowledge as I can to show them why I support these organizations and to encourage them to support them too. Also bond issues, like the school bond that recently failed, I completely admire all the people who passed out information to get people informed since there were so many misunderstandings. Many teachers and volunteers passed out info and spoke about that issue, not only to get you to vote for it, but to make you understand what you were voting against if you voted that way. The same with politicians, the only way to get someone elected that you believe in is to spread facts. With so many slam ads from both sides and rumors escalating on the internet and accusations being made, I just believe that every person who wants to voice an opinion about why they are voting for someone and who wants to posts reasons (FACTS) why they are voting a certain way are encouraged.
I am sorry my posts have drove you to this.
:0) Tina I think you make all very valid points! It's funny that you all are so ready to take blame for my tirade last night. In actuality it wasn't any of you who who actually "set off" my frustration last night!!! But I appreciate that you are willing to help me understand people voicing their opinions without being asked.
I suppose I wasn't very clear in my ranting and raving. It really hasn't been any one person - mostly just a collection of seeing and hearing WAY TOO MUCH about one subject.
Thanks for being good friends and being concerned that you were the "problem". There's really no one problem! :0)
If we lived in a utopian society, your approach would be amazing. If only everyone could be completely objective and come to a conclusion based on facts, we would have no need for rampant debates, Facebook posts, canvassing, etc. Unfortunately, this is never going to happen.
Politicians are always going to lie, and people are always going to believe the lies. News reporters will always be bias, and people are always going to be too busy(or stubborn) to look to numerous sources to try and get the facts straight(and even then, they still might not get the facts straight!). If one is passionate about candidate A, and sees candidate B creating misconceptions about candidate A, and people are BELIEVING them, it is only natural for one to speak up. And vice-versa. It goes both ways(it definitely did in this election).
So, in response to this question, "Do you really think that everyone that is going to read them is that uneducated, that stupid as to not form their OWN opinion?", I say not EVERYONE, but MANY. A perfect example is the crazy email going around about Obama being a Muslim. Many people actually read that email and took it as the truth!
Barack Obama won because people were passionate about his cause. He had an amazing grassroots campaign that energized his supporters into becoming very vocal about making changes. If, for example, his supporters had decided that July was the time to stop being vocal about the cause, as people had probably heard enough by then(I know I had), he would not have won. Thus, people had to push all the way until the end to try and get him elected.(as the McCain supporters pushed until the end to get McCain elected)
Whether a person likes the change that will come from Obama's administration or not, there is little doubt that things ARE going to change. The only way drastic changes come about is through the process of people vocalizing their beliefs. You are able to vote because there was a point in history where women were fed up and wanted an equal say in the process. It would have never happened if they had just kept their idea of change to themselves, and hoped that somehow the change would just magically come about.
I have a gay friend who was recently married in California, and now her rights have been taken away from her. She is deeply saddened. If I were her, I would be Facebooking and debating until I were blue in the face to try and convince people to make changes. If she just accepts Proposition 8, she will never see the change she wants.
I respect that you do not want to be a part of the political dialogue, but don't forget that we are very lucky to live in a country where we CAN engage in the dialogue if we choose. The desire to protect and enhance the freedoms we already have is bound to invoke passion.
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