Michele over at Sparks and Butterflies had a very interesting question today.
“Politics - just like religion - is a major big time hot button on people’s emotions. So - do you wear your political heart on your sleeve?”It got me to thinking about the assumptions we make when we identify with someone. I am as guilty as the next person of projecting my own views onto someone I admire.
We can use me for an example. I try not to harangue y’all too often with my political views here at Canned Laughter, but a quick search or even a minute at my twitter page will tell you exactly where I stand. Still here are some facts about me. What does your first instinct tell you about my politics based on these statements?
- I am a faithful church-going Christian. My religious beliefs inform my politics.
- My children have never been latchkey kids.
- I am a middle class, white woman living in an overwhelmingly Republican state.
- I am an SUV driving football mom
- I am fiscally conservative
What about these statements?
- My daughter was baptised by an openly gay priest with the full endorsement of our Bishop.
- Due to crushing medical and housing expenses, my professional husband and I worked three jobs between us and still had trouble buying milk for our children.
- During those tough times we were grateful for the help we received through WIC and the now defunct federal ADC program which provided a box of food staples every month and affordable dental care for our older child.
- There is an alarming number of civil servants and politicians on my family tree going back before the Revolutionary War. Social responsibility and the importance of helping the less fortunate was hammered into me from birth.
- I believe in the Green Movement. In grade school I started an Environmental Awareness Club. Mostly we picked up trash and giggled about boys. Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute!
Where do I stand on the political spectrum now? Where do I stand on cute boys?
My point is that politics can not inform a person’s worth, intelligence, faith or ability to love. I select my friends based upon personal merit, not politics. All of us love people at every point on the political spectrum. I hope we can respect them all, too.
Here are two blogs I read faithfully, written by women I admire:
Both of them are passionate about politics because they both want a better world. Now who can argue about that?
10 responses so far ↓
1
Jen on the Edge
// Sep 4, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Nicely said.
It’s amazing how passionate people get about this, myself included. This presidential race has really made people think and, I hope, get involved.
Jen on the Edges last blog post..Houses and more houses
2
Leslie
// Sep 4, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I’m with you! I don’t discuss politics because while I care, I don’t care as much as others. Hubby on the other hand is very political.
This is going to be one very interesting election. We will either have the first female in the White House (and not as the First Lady!) or the first African-American President.
Leslies last blog post..Women of Faith - Infinite Grace 2008
3
Green Girl
// Sep 4, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I feel passionately about issues, not parties, and about my convictions–and like everyone else, I have my irrational beliefs and my logic. I haven’t been discussing politics much lately because I’m weary of it turning into a battle front for other people. I care, but I don’t care to engage in a fight.
Green Girls last blog post..The Cosmos is in trouble!
4 Laura // Sep 4, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Good point….you said it well! I am passionate about certain issues, but I still try and not discuss my political views to often unless some one else asks first. I try and be open minded and listen to their views and opinions, even if I don’t completely agree with them. It would be a great world if we could all just get along!!
Lauras last blog post..Seattle Visit
5
jill
// Sep 4, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Wonderfully said! I agree totally.
jills last blog post..Then There’s That
6
Ree
// Sep 4, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Brava.
Rees last blog post..Life Savers
7
Anglophile Football Fanatic
// Sep 4, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Way to say it, hon. I’ve been getting very angry at how INYOURFACE the political banter has been on Plurk & in posts. I’ve just started to ignore all of it. I don’t read people based on their politics. I read based on the people.
Anglophile Football Fanatics last blog post..Calgon Stat (A Story of Survival you Might See on a Lifetime Movie)
8
charlotte
// Sep 5, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Good post. Your two different sets of statements are pretty much on either end of the political spectrum. And I do agree that end game in politics should be for the betterment of all people. However that does not always seem to be the case.
I’m pretty specific in my beliefs, however I rarely share them because I’m pretty modest in that way. Because I have good friends from all walks of life, and its a personal thing.
I enjoyed this post, thank you.
charlottes last blog post..Cool Old Car
9
Minnesota Matron
// Sep 5, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Amen, sister. It sounds phony but many of my dear friends swing as far right as I do left. I love them for just those things — their personal integrity and thoughtful path in the world. We can agree to disagree because the intentions? The right ones.
Minnesota Matrons last blog post..The RNC
10
Janet
// Sep 9, 2008 at 9:38 am
Well said. I tend to wear my politics on my bumper sticker, but you can’t really tell anything from it. In the last election I voted for some Democrats and some Republicans. No one has all the answers.
Janets last blog post..More Pithy Comments for a Monday
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