I have a chatty employee who checks-in with me each day before starting their duties. After exchanging the bits of information related to the job, they invariably turn the conversation toward politics. Maybe it’s because I’m a good listener, or maybe it’s because they like putting me on the defense, but I can always count on a barrage of opinions presented as facts to come hurtling my way!
It seems to me, though, that this is the Republican way. It’s like they’re playing a game of football. “Let me impress you by all my fancy footwork and diversionary tactics so that I keep backing you down the field to prevent you from scoring another touchdown. By the time I wade through all the “garbage” being strewn along the field, I just want him to shut up and let me go home.
Unfortunately, I can’t afford to do that anymore. I can’t afford to give up because that’s what created the current political climate. Too many of us just sat by thinking someone else would fight the fight. Someone else would fix the mess. Politics is too confusing, too dirty, to futile, but those of us who care about truth, equality, justice, and freedom for all have a responsibility to do what we can to stay on the field, dodge the litter, and work toward creating rational discussions on things like medicare, education, family planning, and worker’s rights. Our quality of life depends on you and me doing our part to turn the conversation back around.
The reason I don’t like to “debate” politics with those of the Elephant’s persuassion aka Republicans/Conservatives is that it isn’t long before the debate or discussion degenerates into name-calling, mostly on their side. Or, at the very least, the presentation of every strawman argument known to civilized society. (Is there civilized society?) Their goal is not to discuss, it’s to force you to accept and/or agree to their (screwed-up) principles.
Case in point was my pointing out to a friend on FB that Planned Parenthood does not use and never has used Federal funds for abortions. The reply came not from my friend, but by someone else, which quickly morphed into a rant that ‘dems are marxist socialists.’ WTF? My attempt at humor (wow, I’ve always wanted to be called a marxist socialist) was met with, “If the star fits, wear it.” All because I presented a FACT.
When something can so quickly decompose, rational thinking is not required, only the absurd. I’ve never figured out how that makes them the winner in an argument–which was not an argument to begin with–but they seem to believe it is.
Or maybe I just tend to run into the more rabid of the lot? đŸ™‚
If they employ argumentative tactics I’ve found that they don’t want conversation. They’re looking for a fight and if you step back and allow them to fight alone you have an opportunity for some entertainment. Don’t laugh in their presence as that makes them think they’ve achieved a reaction and this really is a tit for tat instead of a one-man show. Later on enjoy your belly laugh.
I think it is that black and white world these feisty folks want to live in.
The one thing I hated the most about George W. Bush was his ‘Us or Them’ attitude.
That little cowboy could get so many people riled up to go fight when they did not even know who they were fighting or why they had to go fight.
Unforutnately, I see alot of that same attitude – Us or Them – in these mega churches (which tend to lean Republican). But if you look deep into the need these groups have for pushing this agenda is quite simple – if there is a common enemy, then nobody will leave the group – and here is the best part – more money will flow into your coffers to ‘fight the enemy’.
This Us and Them attitude is very prosperous – just listen to any televangelist and they have had this con game down to a science for quite a few years.
I think it is that black and white world these feisty folks want to live in.
The one thing I hated the most about George W. Bush was his ‘Us or Them’ attitude.
That little cowboy could get so many people riled up to go fight when they did not even know who they were fighting or why they had to go fight.
Unforutnately, I see alot of that same attitude – Us or Them – in these mega churches (which tend to lean Republican). But if you look deep into the need these groups have for pushing this agenda is quite simple – if there is a common enemy, then nobody will leave the group – and here is the best part – more money will flow into your coffers to ‘fight the enemy’.
This Us and Them attitude is very prosperous – just listen to any televangelist and they have had this con game down to a science for quite a few years.
freedomwriter wrote: Our quality of life depends on you and me doing our part to turn the conversation back around.
—
I take alot of encouragement from the polling that shows that not all is well in Republican budet-cutting land. The GOP is faced with quite a huge problem in the fact that a majority of their own voters are not enthusiastic about the 2012 GOP candidates.
While this group may pound their chests while ranting about everything they don’t like – their support base has really not changed all that much.
The usual core birtherism base is there – but that is not enough to win any general election. And the established GOP Republicans know this fact and they are scrambling to find someone who can rise above that.
So we need to do our part by turning the conversation around by simply stating facts whenever approached by someone who just wants to fight politics.
I have succumbed more than once to getting into a tit-for-tat with a Conservative Republican usually on moral issues.
I simply say that I am social liberal and fiscal conservative – when the Republicans decide to represent me on both those issues – let me know.
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
I have a chatty employee who checks-in with me each day before starting their duties. After exchanging the bits of information related to the job, they invariably turn the conversation toward politics. Maybe it’s because I’m a good listener, or maybe it’s because they like putting me on the defense, but I can always count on a barrage of opinions presented as facts to come hurtling my way!
It seems to me, though, that this is the Republican way. It’s like they’re playing a game of football. “Let me impress you by all my fancy footwork and diversionary tactics so that I keep backing you down the field to prevent you from scoring another touchdown. By the time I wade through all the “garbage” being strewn along the field, I just want him to shut up and let me go home.
Unfortunately, I can’t afford to do that anymore. I can’t afford to give up because that’s what created the current political climate. Too many of us just sat by thinking someone else would fight the fight. Someone else would fix the mess. Politics is too confusing, too dirty, to futile, but those of us who care about truth, equality, justice, and freedom for all have a responsibility to do what we can to stay on the field, dodge the litter, and work toward creating rational discussions on things like medicare, education, family planning, and worker’s rights. Our quality of life depends on you and me doing our part to turn the conversation back around.
The reason I don’t like to “debate” politics with those of the Elephant’s persuassion aka Republicans/Conservatives is that it isn’t long before the debate or discussion degenerates into name-calling, mostly on their side. Or, at the very least, the presentation of every strawman argument known to civilized society. (Is there civilized society?) Their goal is not to discuss, it’s to force you to accept and/or agree to their (screwed-up) principles.
Case in point was my pointing out to a friend on FB that Planned Parenthood does not use and never has used Federal funds for abortions. The reply came not from my friend, but by someone else, which quickly morphed into a rant that ‘dems are marxist socialists.’ WTF? My attempt at humor (wow, I’ve always wanted to be called a marxist socialist) was met with, “If the star fits, wear it.” All because I presented a FACT.
When something can so quickly decompose, rational thinking is not required, only the absurd. I’ve never figured out how that makes them the winner in an argument–which was not an argument to begin with–but they seem to believe it is.
Or maybe I just tend to run into the more rabid of the lot? đŸ™‚
If they employ argumentative tactics I’ve found that they don’t want conversation. They’re looking for a fight and if you step back and allow them to fight alone you have an opportunity for some entertainment. Don’t laugh in their presence as that makes them think they’ve achieved a reaction and this really is a tit for tat instead of a one-man show. Later on enjoy your belly laugh.
I think it is that black and white world these feisty folks want to live in.
The one thing I hated the most about George W. Bush was his ‘Us or Them’ attitude.
That little cowboy could get so many people riled up to go fight when they did not even know who they were fighting or why they had to go fight.
Unforutnately, I see alot of that same attitude – Us or Them – in these mega churches (which tend to lean Republican). But if you look deep into the need these groups have for pushing this agenda is quite simple – if there is a common enemy, then nobody will leave the group – and here is the best part – more money will flow into your coffers to ‘fight the enemy’.
This Us and Them attitude is very prosperous – just listen to any televangelist and they have had this con game down to a science for quite a few years.
I think it is that black and white world these feisty folks want to live in.
The one thing I hated the most about George W. Bush was his ‘Us or Them’ attitude.
That little cowboy could get so many people riled up to go fight when they did not even know who they were fighting or why they had to go fight.
Unforutnately, I see alot of that same attitude – Us or Them – in these mega churches (which tend to lean Republican). But if you look deep into the need these groups have for pushing this agenda is quite simple – if there is a common enemy, then nobody will leave the group – and here is the best part – more money will flow into your coffers to ‘fight the enemy’.
This Us and Them attitude is very prosperous – just listen to any televangelist and they have had this con game down to a science for quite a few years.
A little ray of sunshine to brighten this cloudy day.
Renewed Fight for Gay Marriage in NY Hits Suburbs
freedomwriter wrote: Our quality of life depends on you and me doing our part to turn the conversation back around.
—
I take alot of encouragement from the polling that shows that not all is well in Republican budet-cutting land. The GOP is faced with quite a huge problem in the fact that a majority of their own voters are not enthusiastic about the 2012 GOP candidates.
While this group may pound their chests while ranting about everything they don’t like – their support base has really not changed all that much.
The usual core birtherism base is there – but that is not enough to win any general election. And the established GOP Republicans know this fact and they are scrambling to find someone who can rise above that.
So we need to do our part by turning the conversation around by simply stating facts whenever approached by someone who just wants to fight politics.
I have succumbed more than once to getting into a tit-for-tat with a Conservative Republican usually on moral issues.
I simply say that I am social liberal and fiscal conservative – when the Republicans decide to represent me on both those issues – let me know.
That usually shuts them up – for awhile.