I’m
done with the run-of-the-mill New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I’ve decided to
go with something I should have an easier time keeping. What makes it so easy
is that breaking it would require doing something I loath: discussing politics.
We
have gone through a horrific political season over the past year. Regardless of
your political affiliation, things have been less than polite. Even after the
election, people on both sides continue to sling mud and name-call. I find it
childish in the extreme, to say the least.
Personally,
I despise discussions of politics. I follow what is going on only so I can make
informed decisions. However, I don’t want to discuss the subject. People have
lost their ability to disagree amicably. I have no desire to get into a
schoolyard level argument where everything I say is belittled or negated simply
because the other person disagrees with me.
My
experience is that most of the time, the only people who go out of their way to
have a political discussion with me are those who perceive me to be at the
opposite end of the political spectrum from them. Since I consider myself a
moderate, I’m not quite certain what the opposite end of the spectrum is, but I
suspect it’s somewhere on the Z axis.
In
any case, I was raised in a time and place where discussing religion or
politics in public was considered vulgar, and I still find politics fits that
description. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I don’t want to
participate in discussions, emails or emoji contests from people trying to
bludgeon me into agreeing with their opinion, which is mainly what I’ve found
people want to do.
I
sometimes wonder if I have a target on my forehead which convinces people I’m
ripe for attack. As the saying goes, “I don’t need your attitude; I have one of
my own.”
I
don’t mind intelligent discussions, but too often what initially looked like a
discussion turns into the Red Wedding, and I’m left feeling like Rob Stark. So,
I’m reverting to my upbringing: just say no to being called names and
participating in the vulgarity known as politics. No matter who your politician
is, it’s still SOSDD (same old s—t, different day), so there’s no point in
debate.
Now,
please excuse me while I find a mirror in which to practice my Lady Violet glare
and the proper way to say, “What is a week end?”
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