Yeah, I know I’ve detached myself from politics for over a year, but a certain league of individuals has recently admonished me for not having posted here in so long. So while I won’t discuss topical political issues in this post, I still have points concerning politics I’d like to address… mostly points concerning my distancing from politics.
1. The forums in which we debate politics (media sources, the floors of congress, the dinner table) have welcomed discussions fueled by almost only emotions, rather than rationale and the search for truth. The core tenet behind the multiple party system in America was the idea that through thorough and earnest debate, the truth will seep through as through a strainer. The problem is that the majority of debates don’t let the truth through because either side is looking to merely win, lockstep with a laundry list of ideals written by a party, as opposed to coming to the best solution for our nation. Members from opposite parties will brandish the others moronic, only because they were unsuccessful in changing your mind to think as they do. How do they rationalize this? “They are simply too stupid to understand that what I espouse is the only correct/just/effective way.” Pride does not equal truth, and many are too scared of the hypocrisy tag to be able to say “I believe in this point my party believes in, but I don’t believe in that other thing it believes in.”
Possible Solution? Go into debates not looking to change the other person’s mind, but only with the goal to most honestly and clearly express your beliefs and opinions. If they don’t agree… so what? You walk away happy that you stood on your beliefs with integrity. And who knows… they might have gone away disagreeing with every word you said, but you planted a small seed that may grow into the deep-rooted memory that you were a sincere and amicable representative of your party, beliefs, whatever. Just remember, the second you tell someone they’re wrong, is the second before they stop listening to you.
I have to go to work, but I’ll continue the observations from my political hiatus… which I’m still happily engaged in.
– Julian