Political Meanderings of Many

‘Tis the Season (to alienate friends on Facebook)

This is the year. The year that you may very well piss off a significant percentage of your friends on Facebook. Why? One word – Politics.

I first logged on to Facebook in 2008. I know that it was prior to the Presidential election because I posted a status that said something like “Politics is not a Right and/or Wrong topic. It’s an opinion.” I was surprised at the number of positive responses that received. One person, a 20-something friend of my nieces (preferred political affiliation unknown) commented that this was the most intelligent thing ever posted on Facebook. And that was the most profound response to the most intelligent thing ever posted on Facebook.

Here we are - 4 years later. The vitriol is in full swing. The most extreme FB posts are from friends that I would consider very intelligent. Some are devout Christians. Some are devout Atheists. Some are just devout. I love them all.

Before anyone thinks that I am on “the other side,” I should establish a foundation of what I believe. I grew up in a Republican household. I am still a member of the Republican Party. I married a unionist Democrat, whom I love more than a million chocolate chip cookies. I live in a red state, and you can’t get more red than my precinct in this red state. I somewhat consider myself a Libertarian, meaning that I really don’t want the government in my face, (or my brain, my shorts, or my wallet) any more than necessary. More than any of the above, I consider myself an intelligent individual that refuses to allow the press, social media, or my friends on Facebook the latitude to think that they can sway my opinion in 30 seconds. My pastor (whom I greatly respect) always tells us” not to check our brains at the door” of the Church. I love that about him. He provides the historical context along with the scriptural foundations of his (and His) message. If we don’t agree, he’ll be glad to discuss. But either way, he expects us to use our brain in the analysis of what he tells us. But that’s religion, and the founding fathers of country admonished us not to combine the two (notice I did NOT say ignore one or the other).

So out of respect of your time, here are some key things that I believe: 

· I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

· I believe that life is gray, and not black and white. That means that there are very few absolutes of truth, and more degrees of opinion.

· I respect the rights of individuals based on their preference of a same sex relationship. It’s not a choice, and that is one of the few black and white issues I believe.

· I believe that, for the most part, we all worship the same God. Except atheists. I respect your right NOT to worship, but please don’t waste your time trying to convince believers that we are wrong. In turn, I’ll pray for you, but not preach to you. Deal?

· I believe that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. That means that every photo, graph, table, or passion-infused monolithic statement someone posts on FB can be countered with 15 minutes (or less) of research on the internet. It only takes 0.8 seconds to click the “share” button on Facebook. The Newtonian response is that it takes only 0.8 seconds for folks to think that you will share the first thing that you agree with that is posted on the internet. Ever consider it may not actually be true?

· I love that the election of Barack Obama symbolizes a partial, but albeit significant, realization of The Dream.

· I do not agree that the above realization should translate to carte blanche socialist changes in our governing system.

· I love that our President can publically worship in church and proclaim “God Bless the United States of America.” I also love that no one is making him (or her), or preventing him (or her) do so.

· I do believe that the government is expected to assist its citizens in times of great need and/or distress.

· I do not believe that my tax dollars should contribute to paying the bill for cable with all the movie channels, an iPhone with full data plan, and various other incentives for those that choose not to actively seek employment.

· I believe that all of society is accountable for meeting the needs of charitable organizations. Society should be recognized and rewarded for doing so, and penalized for not doing so.

· I do not believe that the name Barack is more American or normal than the name Mitt (or Newt). Nor do I believe that we should promote or defend a candidate based on their name.

· I do not always believe in the “are you better off today than you were last election” argument. The fact is that economic cycles are not avoidable. Likewise, impacts from economic policies may take years, if not decades (and Presidential terms), to materialize in positive or negative results.

· I believe that the pay and benefits of soldiers should be tied to performance, and not subject to congressional approval.

· I believe that the pay and benefits of elected officials should be tied to performance, and not subject to congressional approval.

· I believe that all Americans should not be hypocrites by condemning individuals (or corporations) for what they themselves are doing (or would do/not do) to advance the financial status of themselves (or their family).

· I do not believe that officers of publicly held corporations should have extreme financial gain at the extreme financial loss of the shareholders. It’s called accountability.

I know that’s probably more than you wanted to know. But it’s critical for two reasons. The first is the obvious. If I see my FB friends tilting to the “I’m right and you’re wrong” mentality, I may eventually question it. Not to make you feel bad about what you believe, but as a “gentle reminder” that your opinion is only an opinion. And that by posting a link to something that supports your opinion, it does not suddenly become fact.

Lastly, I do not hide behind a label of political or religious classification. Instead I tried to step outside of conventional definitions. I encourage each of you to do the same. If that’s not possible, and if you find my suggestions here offensive, then maybe we agree to disagree (or simply disagree).