I am emotionally sensitive (too sensitive). I hate conflict. I am passionate about the things I care about. Being emotionally sensitive, conflict-avoidant and passionate about issues makes maneuvering through this world difficult. Very difficult.
I have developed a few coping mechanisms. Chiefly, I have become a "sensible" person. Sensible is not in my nature but it is now second nature to me. I like it. During an election year, though, my sensibility armor fails me. (It sounds like a superhero device, doesn't it?) You might think that is because of the issues. No, it is because of two things: the facts--more accurately, the lack of facts--and the behavior of the louder voices in the arena.
I know I am not the only person who is dismayed by the tenor of the political debate. One of my favorite bloggers (of all time) recently wrote:
"This is the first election that I've witnessed and consumed via blogs. It's been shocking to watch bloggers face off over the blue/red line of US politics, while decency and respect falls into the chasm that separates them."**
I was so, I don't know, comforted to read that someone else is disconcerted by the rhetoric. I understand the passion behind the rhetoric, but I wonder--pardon my simplistic attitude--if some of us overheard our children talking about people that way, would we condone it? Most people I know go through great lengths to teach their children to think, speak, and behave toward others in humane ways. Why can't we do the same toward those who have different political beliefs?
Lately I've had a song going through my head...
In Europe and America,
Theres a growing feeling of hysteria
Conditioned to respond to all the threats
In the rhetorical speeches of the Soviets
Mr. Krushchev said we will bury you
I don;t subscribe to this point of view
It would be such an ignorant thing to do
If the Russians love their children too
Sting wrote that song at a time when we were still concerned about a direct conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. I kept wondering why I was thinking of that song right now. It is rather obvious, though, isn't it. We have our own Cold War going on in this country. There is a tendency to act as if "the other side" is inhumane, unpatriotic, unfeeling, and malicious.
The good thing is I don't believe most of us act that way to one another in our "regular" lives. My neighbor on one side of me might have an Obama sign up and on the other side one might have a McCain sign up. I do not think it would affect their basic treatment of each other. At least, I hope not.
The other issue that troubles me during this election season? Facts. There are places for you to check the facts. One place is FactCheck.org. Some of the news organizations will also do that after a debate.
I hate it.
What??? How can I hate that? Well, it's easy. I hate it because it is necessary to have these fact checking sessions. I can't stand that I live in a world that accepts the distortions of election campaigns. There are no non-offenders here, too. I noticed a website yesterday that has a McCain Lie Counter. I cannot respect that. Both sides have misrepresented information. If you are going to represent your side as a side that has the ethical high ground, you better be honest yourself. (I don't want to hear the "McCain has told more lies than Obama" argument on this one. A liar is a liar.) If you place a lie counter on your site, it should show the mispresentations of both sides.
Over two years ago, I wrote this:
"Sometime during the last presidential election with its usual onslaught of name-calling, fact-blurring loveliness, I had a dream. (I really did.) In this dream, I decided to start my own political party. I can't remember the actual name I was going to give it but it had something to do with being the Party of Reasonable People. We would not have any political platform other than committing to being rational and kind in our dealings. I realize this is more of a club than a political party, but it was a dream, after all. The Party of Reasonable People would be a grassroots movement that would sweep the nation. No matter what side of an issue you were on, you would have the reassurance that you could agree to disagree and there would be no hate-mongering.
I woke up that morning with an incredible sense of well-being. All warm and fuzzy inside, it took a minute or two for reality to sink in. I was crushed. It was only a dream and I knew, in my heart of hearts--as a good, old southern minister might say--that it would never come true."
Sadly, I still think that my dream will never come true. I would rather my idealistic energy be used talking about the issues, but I have found few outlets for reasoned discussion. My sensibility armor may fail me entirely this year for I am seriously considering not voting for President in the coming election.## My idealism might not be able to be quenched enough this year.
**I haven't referenced the specific blogger for a reason. She knows why. Favorite Blogger: if you want me to give credit where it is most deservedly due, let me know.
##I would not abandon the voting process altogether. Local issues, propositions, positions, etc., I would still vote for.
