And disheartened. And worried. Worried about this country, sure, but mostly worried about apathy, ignorance, and immaturity.
How hard is it to support your candidate without disrespecting the other?
We have weeks to go, and life in this country is challenging right now. Do we have to belittle each other over our beliefs?
Two separate people tonight I saw insulting the opposing candidate on Twitter and Facebook... not with facts, and certainly with no real understanding of the issues...they simply were saying ugly things about people who have dedicated their lives to serve our country in one capacity or another.
I don't care what you believe. Pro this, against that, I could care less. They are your beliefs, and you are entitled to them. But to feel good about your candidate, is it absolutely necessary to insult mine?
Maybe the best thing we can do right now, as Americans, is show the world we can run our "model democracy" with some level of maturity.
Good luck to your candidate. And good luck to mine.
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26 comments:
I wish I could offer more surprise or shock to this sad commentary, but with the negative ads filling my tv, and the horrifically scary outbursts at town hall meetings, how can one expect any better from people these days?
Brittany - You make a fair point. It's a top-down problem, I agree. But we dont have to follow the horrible example they set.
I'm with Brittany. I felt the exact same way you did last week while watching converage of the town hall meetings. My heart sank with "horifically scary outbursts". I guess everyone is just very emotional about this election- at least we can all agree that we need to move forward.
Tena- Yes, it is emotional, absolutely. And that's fine, you know? People SHOULD care. I simply wish some would draw the line before making immature statements attacking them on physical appearance and the like...how does that help anything?
Hear, hear.
Couldn't have put it better myself.
I listen to NPR and read my paper online, so I haven't been exposed to the same barrage of negative advertising that everyone else seems to have heard. But I strongly agree with your sentiment.
I've actually taken several blogs off my Reader, recently, who all they do is use their blog as a bully pulpit, and attack and berate the "other guy." I don't need to hear that he's stupid, and he's immoral, or he lies.
Guess what? They ALL DO!! No one has the moral authority here. Blech. I was excited for the candidates, and now I could care less. I'm probably voting for a 3rd party again, like I did the past two elections.
I completely agree. It's absolutely frightening!
One of my favorite parts in the debate tonight was when Bob Schieffer, who I admire, asked the candidates basically if they would say what has appeared in their ads about one another to each others faces.
Absolutely fantastic question.
Of course it wasn't answered yes/no. Politicians don't work that way. However, I thought it was a terrific way to bring up the subject.
All we can do is live our lives as an example for our children, so we can be assured that they won't be the ones belittling someone in the future.
Great post Jay.
You would think that the election would bring out the best in this democratic country of ours but yet, it seems to bring out the worst.
My complaint? Hollywood telling me to vote. Annoying.
Very nicely said.
Btw, I received the Starbucks card in the mail yesterday. Thank you- I'm putting it to good use!
i'm so over it all, and this is exactly the reason why.
Crap. I have no candidate.
and I swear THESE last two posts WERE NOT THERE when I last checked in? Where were they? Gone.
And I clicked bloglines and it took me to a puke post??? Now that is weird, or karma or somethin'
The kiddos on the bikes are cool. That's it. just cool.
Yes.
don't be sad and disheartened!!!!!... be bitter and jaded, like me!~
bad behavior is bad enough, but bad behavior in the name of a cause/candidate/religious belief/political view is unacceptable.
yuck.
I suppose all we can do is what you did. Bring it out in the open, challenge it, and move forward refusing to participate, and be the examples.
Maybe it will catch on...someday.
Good post!
Great post! It's ironic, I just wrote something "political" on my blog for the first time. I've been told to stay away from political blog topics, but I think this race is too important. And, I couldn't agree more, we should respect each others choices. Nicely done!
I totally understand! I said I didn't mind paying my own health insurance on twitter.. and was told to move to France.
YEA Jay!!!! Thank you. I don't twitter for that reason. If I was undecided and had to read the rants and raves of one party, I would automatically vote the other.
Oh, it's a huge mess. And both sides are guilty!
I've always been supremely annoyed by people who voted for Ralph Nader and "wasted" their vote. But now I am beginning to understand where they were coming from. I remain at a standstill, paralyzed by disgust and indecision.
My biggest concern, though, is that I really feel like the media is actually in charge of electing our president.
Ugh. I can't wait til this is over.
I hear you, Jay. Well said.
I wish political elections would be more positive all around. I would much rather hear MORE substance and LESS bashing....waste of airtime.
One more thing..........yelling out to kill people in public=shameful.
Ann, (Beadiful Things), I actually voted for Nader in the past two elections, for this very reason, and I may do so again!
I was actually sort of excited about the candidates this year, but it's always the same.
I have never understood people who get so passionate about a candidate. I've never felt that way.
SO over it--well said sir!
'bout time someone said it. Good for you!
I was disheartened that a good share of the debate was spent talking about these ads and attacks. Who ever wins, will probably waste some of my money. I don't want them wasting my time now. Good post.
this may seem immature but i'm a little bit sad that people are "twittering" their political views. heh. i guess i just hope it's not the only thing they're doing.
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