Today on Facebook I was challenged by a "friend" on the health care issue. To be honest, the "friend" was someone I went to high school with and frankly I don't actually really remember very well aside from he wasn't someone I particularly thought well of (I dropped him off of Facebook after getting his message).
I don't really understand why people feel they can debate with other people when they have absolutely no common ground to stand on. As a complete liberal I have trouble relating to the conservative position. It seems that there are a lot of moderates out there that an arch conservative could utilize his/her time better debating.
It always shocks me when somebody that is EXTREMELY conservative contacts me. Rather than intelligent discussion I get a lecture on "do nothing lazy people", "system abusers" etc. etc. In this particular case, my debater believes that ALL 40 million people in this country uninsured are just lazy and not trying hard enough to get insurance or a job. That cuts a little deep considering both myself and Gary are on Cobra. I have a job that has health insurance that won't cover TX, thus I am using Cobra from my other job which my current company pays. Gary has Cobra from his last job and is spending HOURS and HOURS a day trying to find a new job and health insurance.
My debator was practically frantic that the "govt. was going to take away his private insurance and force him into some socialist plan". Obviously he hasn't read a thing about the health care plan. It makes it quite clear that if you have insurance...if your company provides it...then keep it by all means. I've read almost the whole thing (long, long, long) and firmly believe that a lot of the skeptics and people that are freaking out and screaming at their local politicians know absolutely NOTHING about which they speak. They are going on gut instinct. These are the people that resent food stamps so much that they would let children starve. These are the people that hate unemployment insurance because they have never lost a job. These are the people that think welfare is the most evil thing on earth, yet would tell a woman in abject poverty that she should not get an abortion. These are the people that resent taxation so much that they don't believe they should even pay it (if you don't, please stop driving because all roads are built by taxation).
I don't hate ultra-conservatives. I just don't understand them. They don't understand me. We have no possible way to come to a valid middle position. I have a few conservative friends and relatives that I adore. We long ago came to the conclusion that discussing politics or social programs was a mistake and we don't do it.
I appreciate comments on this blog...even if you completely disagree with what I say or think, but PLEASE, PLEASE don't expect me to debate you.
James Ragland of the Morning News wrote an excellent column today on how Ted Kennedy's death seems to be bringing out the worst in some people ... and indeed from the comments left on their web page indeed it is. It confirms a great deal of what we've been talking about through the blog ... the rise in what I would call hate speech and the complete collapse of civil discourse. I made the mistake of leaving a comment (I'm panfan53, if you want to check it out ... I don't know that I'd recommend it), wondering why in our "Christian" nation so many seem quick to judge and condemn and so slow to even contemplate the possibility of forgiveness and grace ... as those spewing the most hate against Kennedy's memory cannot forgive him for Chappequiddick ... and assume God cannot either. I ... again with hindsight made a mistake in doing so ... suggested that the Bible provides a precedent for grace even in the midst of clear sin (and I'm not sure what we're talking about directly qualifies, but thought it would make a point) in the story of King David, his adultery with Bathsheba and his militarily arranged murder of Bathsheba's husband to cover his tracks. There is no way (I wouldn't think, and certainly the Bible doesn't!) to see this as anything but the grossest of sins ... yet even in the so-called judgment-driven Old Testament a man like David can be forgiven and still be a "man after God's own heart." I received a slam (anonomously thank goodness, as none of the commentators use their names in that venue) that comparing Kennedy to David made the commentator (who'd filed one of the most hateful earlier comments) want to spit up. A friend commented in response to Ragland's comments (in agreement) with a pithy statement: that comments placed in that way tended to be the equivalent of words written on bathroom walls. Sadly appropros, I fear.
ReplyDeleteI know this isn't strictly on topic with what you've written above ... but hope it contributes to the discussion. It seems to me too often the case that folks get their "news" from Rush Limbaugh and other "sources" that usually fuel their paranoia rather than reading and thinking through the issues ... which means true debate and a real search for truth or for solutions becomes an impossibility.
It scares me ... more than just a bit.
It appears that Rush Limbaugh and Fox News are ACTUALLY the opiate of the masses. Sigh.
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