Posts tagged politics

I hate being wrong. I hate it more than slow drivers in the fast lane, and people who talk in movies. I despise it. Nothing’s changed from the times when I was called upon in class and didn’t know the answer to whatever question. I hated being wrong then, I hate it now. Every red X on a test sheet sends me into fits of rage, and don’t get me started on being corrected in conversation. It makes me ill. I think there is a pride for me, in being right. In the same way there is a sense of shame that accompanies correction. Maybe that’s just me, but I don’t think that is the case. I think we all hate being told we are wrong, especially when we think we are right.

So there are two options on the table, and you have to choose one. You have to choose, otherwise you have no voice. Only, neither option is exactly what you want to pick. What do you do? The answer and rationalization to that question is different for each person. Perhaps you pick the one your parent’s pick. Or maybe the one that looks better. Maybe you pick the one that’s closest to who you are, where you happen to be that moment. Perhaps you just pick the one you’ve always picked. Regardless, the choice is never easy. It’s not Prego pasta sauce, there aren’t fifteen gazillion varieties for you to choose from. There are two. Maybe three. And after choosing, no matter what you personally believe, this choice becomes your identity. And after choosing, no matter what you personally believe, someone will be there to tell you that it was the incorrect choice.

So what do you do?

You get defensive. You tell them, that their choice was wrong. You scream, and you insult. You reduce speeches to soundbites, and soundbites to phrases to support your conclusion. You march, and make signs, and make bold statements like, “I could never be friends with someone who chose A”. “I could never be friends with someone who believes B”. You sit back behind your defenses, and your steadfast belief that yours was the correct choice, and you might be completely wrong. Only there is no going back now. There is no more discourse. The bridges have been burned, and you can only think about the next volley of words.

In this tumultuous political season, perhaps what’s most important is to remember that we all (for the most part) want the same things. We want to be happy. We want the people we love to be safe. We’re only arguing over how to accomplish these fundamental things. Debate isn’t bad. I love to argue my points with conviction!! Just don’t divide yourself down party lines and let those lines define you. We are all more than a single choice.

Also my rent is TOO DAMN HIGH!!