Can Celery and Ugly Pants Ever Get Along?

The Democrats seem to be basically nicer people, but they have demonstrated time and again that they have the management skills of celery. They're the kind of people who'd stop to help you change a flat, but would somehow manage to set your car on fire. I would be reluctant to entrust them with a Cuisinart, let alone the economy. The Republicans, on the other hand, would know how to fix your tire, but they wouldn't bother to stop because they'd want to be on time for Ugly Pants Night at the country club.
~Dave Barry

I don't like to argue politics. But I love discussing it with people if we can find common ground. I don't enjoy conflict or arguments, and I find that more often than not, they separate people rather than bring them closer together.

This is not a political blog. This is a personal blog where I rattle on about my personal thoughts on life and personal adventures. And in keeping with that, this post will be a personal post and not a political one. Rather than make this about one side versus the other, I will use cryptic and nonsensical nomenclatures for the two parties.

I am an Apple, and my sweet boyfriend is an Orange. I have friends who are Apples, Oranges, Blueberries and even Turnips. I used to think that it would be impossible to be with someone intimately who wasn't an Apple. But that's not at all the case. When we talk politics, we listen to each other, we give and take, and we always find points of agreement and focus on those. I think we learn from each other and challenge each other just by listening. And we agree far more often than we disagree. If we didn't, well, that just wouldn't work for me.

I like talking politics, and I have friends who loooove talking politics. I have friends whose values would be compromised if they partnered with someone of the opposite political party. I understand that. We each have different priorities and ideas about relationships and life - that's what makes us individuals. Just like them, there are certain things that I will not compromise on.

Every once in awhile, my friends send me political emails. I often choose not to respond if I feel the emails are too didactical, too moralizing or too polarizing. I read them, absorb the information and form my own opinion about what I agree with and disagree with, then I delete them without responding.

I think the tone of the email has a lot to do with my reception of it and concede that I can be a bit sensitive. I also concede that I too have been guilty of sending political emails to friends who I know are on the other side, but I always try to be gentle and accepting with my tone. No one is ever perfect, and with any communication, there is frequently a disconnect between the intention and the reception. I would hate to upset or offend one of my friends, and I know they feel the same. But the personal is political, and often times, feelings do get hurt. For me, it's just not worth it.

I could never last in politics, and in my short tenure of working for a national non-profit, I learned I don't have the stomach for it. No matter which side of the aisle you choose, there will be corrupt politicians on your side, and there will be issues that you disagree with the party on. And there will be times that you feel alone. I'm too sensitive. And too passionate. And not tough enough. I love peace and harmony and love and friendship. :D

I'm not sure how to conclude this discussion or what message to espouse. I just hate arguing, especially with friends. And I think that arguing about politics can often lead to insults, name calling and people saying things they mean, but later apologize with: "Oh, I didn't really mean that." Like they think that of other people who disagree with them, but not of you...how exactly does that work? Yick. It's not for me. I'll stick to hugs, rainbows and unicorns, thank you very much.

Politics - I don't know why, but they seem to have a tendency to separate us, to keep us from one another, while nature is always and ever making efforts to bring us together.
~Sean O'Casey

Before you can begin to think about politics at all, you have to abandon the notion that there is a war between good men and bad men.
~Walter Lippmann

Men are joined by conviction, sundered by opinion.
~Goethe