With our country being so divided, it breaks my heart to hear some of the things being said these days. I know politics have always been ugly and maybe it’s no worse now that it’s always been but with 24 hours news cycles, fake news, Facebook, and everything else, it’s just in our face and more obvious.
I hope that we can all find a way to celebrate our independence, the freedoms we hold dear. We can work to change the things about which we disagree but we should always be civil but we don’t get to disobey rules just because we don’t agree with them. We work to change them in the way that is prescribed for changing laws/rules.
May we teach our children and grandchildren the truths we hold dear, not in an indoctrination way, but tell them why we cherish the things we cherish and why we’re against the things we’re against. If we don’t teach them what we believe, someone else will teach them what they believe. I never wanted to impose my beliefs on Chad. We had rules that we expected him to obey but I wanted to give him a foundation – tell him why I feel the way I do about certain things and then when he reached a point that he could make his own decisions, I hoped he would remember some of the things I’d told him.
He does! He isn’t in lockstep with my beliefs. He will tell me why he believes differently . . never putting me down for my beliefs but explaining to me why he’s chosen a different route. I appreciate that . . a civil discussion. I never try to change his mind. It’s obvious to me that he’s thought about it all, talked to people he believes to be knowledgeable on the subject.
I don’t see why we can’t do that as a nation. We’re never going to agree . . we don’t need to agree. But we should always be civil.
So . . Happy Independence Day. I’m sure the meaning of the day varies a bit but in the end, I’m proud to be an American, though I certainly respect folks from other nations and I know they’re proud to be who they are.
Nancy says
Very well said!
montanaclarks says
Very well said Judy–“He will tell me why he believes differently . . never putting me down for my beliefs but explaining to me why he’s chosen a different route. I appreciate that . . a civil discussion.I don’t see why we can’t do that as a nation. We’re never going to agree . . we don’t need to agree. But we should always be civil.’–If we all followed this mantra this nation wouldn’t be where it is today. Michael’s 96 year old father tells us it’s always been this way–liberal vs conservative–but like you Judy I think social media/the internet have made the situation always in our face. You are never going to change someone’s mind–can’t we just let it go and be civil!
Andrea says
I couldn’t agree more! I’m disheartened that people are ready to condemn based on rumor and that disagreements quickly devolve to name calling. As you said, the only thing we can do is try to keep our little corners of the world civil.
marcille says
Very well said; we need to eliminate the ‘us vs. them’ mentality and once again, begin to listen and respect the opinions of others. Most of the time we all want the same outcome, or at least a similar outcome, we just have different ideas of how to get there, and we are so worried about being right and coming out on top that we forget to compromise and work together – it’s a lot like a marriage/family
Dottie says
Well said, Judy……I too, believe people have always had disagreements (regarding politics) but they were always civil – shook hands and moved on. There was always a “better luck next time” attitude. Disagreements were just that – they weren’t hateful/mean, etc. Maybe, in time, we might learn to be more accepting of each other instead of trying to diminish their thoughts/opionions.
Kathleen says
I love that you stay out of politics on your site. I’m guessing you and I have different political views but we have so many other things in common. I wish more people would concentrate on what they have in common and be able to come together. What happened to all the moderates (on both sides)? I find I’m following the news less and less out of protection from depression. Don’t feel good about being an ostrich, but it’s all so hateful. Anyway, one of the ways to fight depression and start my day on a more positive note is reading your blog. Thank you!
PEGGY BENJAMIN says
So very well said, Judy – thank you! Our family is fractured because of two highly opinionated people who took their disagreements public on Facebook, and now refuse to have anything to do with each other. They’re both hard-headed as all get-out and don’t see how heartbreaking it is for the rest of us to have to pick spending time with one or the other, instead of being able to all get together as a family. Each of them believes they are the RIGHT one, period, finished. As much as I appreciate getting reconnected with long lost friends and relatives via Facebook, I feel it’s also been instrumental in tearing this country apart because people say things on Facebook they’d never say to a person’s face. I’m not only blaming Facebook though.
But, along with the freedom to destroy our own families from within, comes all the other freedoms we tend to take for granted. I’d still rather live in the good ol’ U.S. of A. than anywhere else in the world!
Lisa Boyer says
Thanks for this. All this divisiveness is just so heart-wrenching and depressing. I try so hard to stay away from it, but it seems to be everywhere (even within my immediate family) and it is physically making me ill on a daily basis. I have no idea where civility went, but it’s gone gone gone. My ancestors fought in the Revolution, my father served in WW2 and Korea…for this? We are at war within our own borders. People need some perspective!
Dar W says
Amen, Sister!
Nelle Coursey says
There is a reason why people want to come to America. We have freedoms none of them have and we have laws and people to uphold those laws. I just wish everyone was like Chad. Have your own opinions but respect those of others as well. Don’t like politics, never have, but the one thing they took out of schools was civics or political science. That subject taught people how to look at politics and why people believe the way they do. One thing I will never forget my teacher saying was: You never need one party that is completely in charge. You need to have a good mixture so things don’t just automatically get passed through as laws. Discussion and opposition is good to a point. But like you said nowadays people are going way overboard! I don’t usually share any political posts, mine are all funny to make people laugh. Life gets too serious sometimes.
dezertsuz says
Let us sit down and reason together. Amen.