Is Political Unity Possible?

[septbride2002]

Bumping because it is a good thread..........and I don't want to be a thread killer

 

[snoopy]

Not sure how I missed it the first go around, but this is a wonderful post and deserves a bump.

Thanks for giving my thoughts a voice rcyannacci.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

A degree of unification would be a good thing.

I hope that people could at least get away from pinning labels on people in order to nullify their argument. Call it liberal, call it republican, call it democrat, call it conservative then it MUST be wrong. People have mixed views...discuss (argue) each topic on its own merits. As long as people resort to labeling there won't be any degree of unification.

As for Bush...I've got my fingers crossed that Ashcroft's departure is a start of a kinder, gentler administration. I doubt it but since he no longer has to worry about re-election he can actually engage in "reaching across the aisle" because he needn't worry about the fringe elements of his coalition. He's my president but I see no reason to actually trust any politician to carry out my best interests. He'll have my support on those issues I agree with him on. He won't have it on those that I do not.

 

[Crankyshank]

You know we're all just people voting for what we think is the best choice for ourselves and our families. It's ok to have a different opinion and it's ok to criticize the direction the country is heading or politicians without attacking each other. There's really no need to be nasty. That goes for both sides.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Came late to this thread. How'd I miss this? Thank you so much rcyannacci for saying it so well.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Great post!

:thewave:

 

[Teejay32]

I was usually a centrist in the past....on any topic I was usually able to see both sides of a discussion. Can't do that anymore. Worse, I'm not interested in doing it anymore. I'd rather lop off the extreme ends of both sides of the spectrum - those who believe the Bible is God's word, unerring, this is a Christian country and so forth on one side, and then the Bush-itler/our rights have been destroyed/he's an idiot messing up the world types on the other side - and go from there. Asking people to respect these views if they're opposed to them is asking too much. Sorry.

In a nutshell: I wouldn't go out of my way to seek "unity", but if you feel you must, I wish you luck with it.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by 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.

Great post. Would you be advocating the same thing if Kerry had won? I.e, still calling for unity? I just find it curious that it seems there is only a call for unity when a Republican wins.

I think Teejay's post is the better strategy.

 

[rcyannacci]

Sorry all- today is a teaching day for me so I am just now getting to these replies

Originally posted by 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.

The last thing on my mind in any attempt to play a victim. I agree that supporters of President Bush have also been treated unfairly. I was only giving my interpretation of events from my own perspective. I was reacting mainly to the calls for silence or banishment which I saw as insulting.

Originally posted by dmadman43
Great post. Would you be advocating the same thing if Kerry had won? I.e, still calling for unity? I just find it curious that it seems there is only a call for unity when a Republican wins.

I think Teejay's post is the better strategy.

I'm not sure that I am calling for unity right now. It would be unrealistic. Besides, systematic change is a slow process. What I am calling for is a continued discussion. I am trying with this post to open a line of communication. I made it personal because I always feel like when I know someone better, I am less apt to sterotype or judge them. CrankyShank said it really well here:

Originally posted by Crankyshank
You know we're all just people voting for what we think is the best choice for ourselves and our families.

The political IS personal...for each of us. If we knew one another's stories, I think we'd be less likely to attack.