Is Political Unity Possible?

[rcyannacci]

The past week while reading the political threads on these boards, I've noticed a lot of people calling for an end to the venomous debates between political camps. Yet some of these requests are similarly insensitive and discouraging. Kerry Supporters, these posts remark, need to "stop their whining" and realize that the election is over. We are told to recognize that Bush is our president and stand behind him and his policies or shut up. Many go so far as to tell us that if we disagre, we should leave. So much for unity with this "it's our way or the highway approach."

Well, here's my response to this line of reasoning.

First, I DO recognize the Bush is our president. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with the way he does his job. I am a citizen of this country and he is a public servant working for me just an equally as any of you. So I will continue to use my public voice when I disagree with his policies. And, you can call it "whining" or "hysteria" or whatever other label you want to place on it. People fought for me to use this voice and I'm going to honor this history.

Second, I claim as much patriotism as any person on this board. I am an American historian and take great pleasure in studying our nation's past, both the good and the bad. And, I'm not going anywhere. I am staying to fight for my country so it will see a better tomorrow for all of its citizens.

Third, this board is just as much my home as it is yours. This is a public space. The level of intimidation on this board has risen this last week to a point of driving people away. This is what needs to stop- the bullying, not the debate. We all respond on instinct- those who are attacked, attack back.

Thus, when you tell me that I am less-than-American because I am liberal and an educator, I will fight back. I have worked extremely hard and sacrificed a lot for this profession because it's what I'm meant to do. It's the one thing am really good at, and I'm not trying to be arrogant. I know because I see the difference I make in the classroom...the same way a mother knows she is making a difference in her kids' life. You can put a "liberal elite" label on what I do if you want...but I guarentee that if you could see me in the classroom, you'd shake my hand afterwards.

I'm making the attempt to explain who I am because I really want to know who you are too. But only when you don't attack me. This, finally, is my definition of unity. Not a call for silence, but a call for more communication.

 

[swea_pea1]

Thank you very much for this post, rcyannacci. I agree with it in its entirety. I'm hopeful that cooler heads will prevail in the weeks to come and we can see a lot more of the unity of which you "spoke".

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Wow! This is one of the best posts I've read here in months!

 

[shortbun]

Thank you for a great post!

 

[RNMOM]

What they said.

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks everyone so far In the midst of so many attacks here, sometimes voices of support get lost. I appreciate you, your words, and the community we have built.

 

[WishingStar]

Originally posted by rcyannacci
Thanks everyone so far In the midst of so many attacks here, sometimes voices of support get lost. I appreciate you, your words, and the community we have built.

ITA, I think that was why the "supporters" threads were started, but we all know what happened there. Anyhow this is a great thread.

 

[Sirius]

great post!

Very well said.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Perdy Post

 

[luvsTink]

Thanks for the ray of sunshine in my morning.

 

[jrydberg]

rcyannacci, I don't disagree with anything you said. You've always been fairly level-headed about your political postings. We're usually on opposite sides of an issue, but you have always been respectful of differing opinions, as I recall. Several on either side of the political aisle of late have not.

What's my point? Well, political unity is not possible nor desireable, in my view. Our system of government is designed to prevent unity. Unity is potentially very dangerous.

What is desireable, IMO, is respect. That is what seems to be lacking on the CB political threads lately (lacking on both sides, for the record).

My approach to those sorts of threads has been to largely ignore them. Honestly, it amazes me that people from all parts of the political spectrum will resort to nastiness and insults. Do they really think it'll help advance their cause to behave in such a manner?

Anyway, here's hoping a little respect can be injected back into the political discussion.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Well, as one who is a registered Independent and voted for Bush all I have to say is...

THANK YOU. THAT WAS A GREAT POST!

There is not anything wrong with voicing your opinion. I've never seen you engage in any personal attacks, or call anyone "stupid" for not voting the way you did. We need more people like you who can have honest debate, and voice their opinions in a way that is not nasty and mean to the other side.

That is what bugs me (from both sides). The name calling, the assumptions that if someone voted for so and so that they are an idiot who doesn't deserve to live here. Enough already. It's time to discuss the issues and try to reach agreements or at least compromise so we can move forward as a nation.

Do I think it's possible, honestly, I don't know. There are some, on both sides, who just refuse to try and see the other sides point of view. I do hope so though. Otherwise, I feel like our divisive behavior will be our ultimate downfall.

Good post.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by jrydberg
What's my point? Well, political unity is not possible nor desireable, in my view. Our system of government is designed to prevent unity. Unity is potentially very dangerous.

What is desireable, IMO, is respect. That is what seems to be lacking on the CB political threads lately (lacking on both sides, for the record).

ITA. The lack of respect is what is dividing us so badly.

 

[mrsltg]

While I agree that everyone needs to tone down the venom, please don't play injured party. People who voted for President Bush have been told that we are naive, dumb, ignorant, religious-zealots, homophobes, scared of science, a cowboy, and the list goes on and on.

I agree that you should work to change things to go in the direction that you see as right, as should I, as should everyone else. I am sure that you are a wonderful and effective educator, as I am wonderful and effective in government relations. I also agree that this board is public space and we should all feel free to post ideas and exchange thoughts without being villified or attacked for them. Communication is a good thing, but please understand, politics is dirty work. People are not going to hold hands and sing songs when you tell them that their core beliefs are wrong - both sides do it all of the time. ******* is good. It keeps you tuning your ideas and arguments.

Anyway, I appreciate what your post is getting at.

Erin

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I voted for Kerry. I do accept Bush as the President and hope that this term will head in a different direction than the last one. I don't think we will acheive "unity" until Republicans stop questioning the patriotism of those who disagree with the president's policies. I remember Ann Coulter saying that Liberals hate God and America. I know she is an extremist but I feel that too many conservatives truly believe what she said is true. I'm a liberal, and I love God and my country. Hopefully emotions will calm down now that the election is over and we can at least come together on some level.

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks for posting this. Yes, PLEASE, I am all for respectfulness. Let's quit these childish name-calling games.

 

[NMAmy]

Originally posted by rcyannacci
First, I DO recognize the Bush is our president. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with the way he does his job. I am a citizen of this country and he is a public servant working for me just an equally as any of you. So I will continue to use my public voice when I disagree with his policies. And, you can call it "whining" or "hysteria" or whatever other label you want to place on it. People fought for me to use this voice and I'm going to honor this history.

Thank you so much for stating this in such an eloquent manner. I've been feeling the same way for a very long time.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

This is a wonderful post! I get the sense on here that if you are one of those "liberals" that your opinion becomes null and void. I keep asking myself why do I keep coming back to a board where I feel that I am in the minority, and I have to fight to keep my opinions on a daily basis. In essence, I don't believe in letting the more ignorant ones drive me away!

I have noticed the fight, or conform attitude a lot on here lately. Maybe it's because it's mostly coming from middle aged males. iIalmost said white, but I'm not really sure if that would be a fair assessment, lol!

I am starting to cut back on my posting, perhaps some day it will just die of attrition, LOL!

 

[denisenh]

quote:
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Originally posted by rcyannacci
First, I DO recognize the Bush is our president. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with the way he does his job. I am a citizen of this country and he is a public servant working for me just an equally as any of you. So I will continue to use my public voice when I disagree with his policies. And, you can call it "whining" or "hysteria" or whatever other label you want to place on it. People fought for me to use this voice and I'm going to honor this history.

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By ThNMAmy: Thank you so much for stating this in such an eloquent manner. I've been feeling the same way for a very long time.

My thoughts as well. Loved the OP!! Thank you rcyannacci.

 

[septbride2002]

I was thinking about this very same thing this morning. There are 2 guys that I work with who are registered Republicans and were doing all this talking to me before the election because they knew how I was going to vote. This morning we began discussing the electoral college. I still stand on my opinion that in it's current form the electoral college doesn't work because it makes it come down to how one or two states will vote and nothing else matters. The one turns to me and says, "Well Bush won the popular vote too! So either way he would have won and you need to get over it." I just looked at him and said - I'm not debating with you over the fact that Kerry would have won if the electoral college was no more. I am talking to you about the electoral college on it's own and not the effect it had on this election. I'm well aware that Bush won the popular vote and yes I am over the election. That does not mean that I need to jump on the Bush bandwagon. He then begins to lecture me about how then the "idiots" in CA, MA, and NY would choose the President. Obviously based on this past election his arguement holds now water as that Bush still won the popular vote even though the 3 states he mentioned went for Kerry. It was an interesting conversation and I was taken aback how a simple conversation got turned around into me needing to "get over it."

While I agree that everyone needs to tone down the venom, please don't play injured party. People who voted for President Bush have been told that we are naive, dumb, ignorant, religious-zealots, homophobes, scared of science, a cowboy, and the list goes on and on.

I saw no one playing the injured party. The name calling on both sides needs to stop and we need to go back to actually respecting the posters instead of shouting "you started it!" all the time.

~Amanda