Discussing Politics Seems To Bring Out The Worst In People

allen0187 wrote on April 24, 2015, 10:40 PM

Politics is always a testy subject to have. It ain't for the weak of heart. I admire you for saying that a difference of opinion doesn't mean one opinion is wrong and the other is correct. It just means like that, the opinions are different.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:05 AM

It definitely is not for the faint at heart that is for sure.

FourWalls wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:42 AM

It pains me that people cannot articulate their beliefs without sinking into personal attacks. I've had to block a lot of friends on Facebook who like to use terms like "brain dead morons" for those who disagree with them politically. I will trash a political opinion AND a public political figure (e.g., I'll gladly call Fred Phelps a moron -- except that would be an insult to morons), but NOT a private individual.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:46 AM

Yes, I have been called several nasty names (no I don't mean things like Teabagger or Conservative) just because I dare to be a fiscal and social conservative.

FourWalls wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:52 AM

I find that rather ironic: the people who proclaim themselves to be "tolerant" are generally the biggest name-callers. It's like the people who were opposed to the "intolerance" of the religious freedom law and showed it by spewing all sorts of disgusting, obscene remarks at the person who answered the phone at a pizzeria.

Dawnwriter wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:55 AM

Religion can be a very volatile subject as well and yes discussions on politics can turn ugly because people become very impassioned. But name calling and being abusive is rather extreme. It shows chinks in your own armour.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:57 AM

You nailed it right on the head and it is disgusting.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 12:59 AM

Yes, I normally choose to leave religion alone for the most part. A lot of it has to do with the fact that my wife and I no longer participate in an organized religion, but we still consider ourselves Christians.

iwrite28 wrote on April 25, 2015, 1:43 AM

Politics really gets people all worked up. There is no place of difference in opinion in this space.

trufflehunter wrote on April 25, 2015, 5:34 AM

I think when it comes to politics, a lot of us need to agree to disagree.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 9:41 AM

Exactly, we all have our own opinions and just because you disagree does not make your opinions correct and my opinions wrong or vice-versa.

wolfgirl569 wrote on April 25, 2015, 9:51 AM

I try to listen to all sides but often the media only gives us one side anymore. And many people believe them completely. I dropped people from my fb page after the last residential election, not because of how they voted but because they started calling anyone who did not vote the same communists and other things. As you say we all have the right to our opinions and it does not make us bad just because of that. The sad thing was one person I dropped was a high school friend, I was shocked when he started that crap. Politics can really change people

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 10:22 AM

wolfgirl569 you are exactly right, politics can definitely change people, I working hard on trying not to be so partisan because my wife has noticed that I have changed politically especially in the past 10 years.

JohnRoberts wrote on April 25, 2015, 10:57 AM

Politics has always been a hot button issues. The old saying never discuss religion and politics. It's getting worse because the extreme sides are growing more stubborn and everyone more combative than ever. Gone are the days of two friends on opposite sides of the political spectrum engaging in a lively debate and ending by a gentleman's agreement to disagree then go fishing.

LeaPea2417 wrote on April 25, 2015, 11:13 AM

What depresses me about politics is how some people believe truly blatant ungodly opinions.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 11:21 AM

Not quite sure I understand what you mean by that, but yes people do hold some very strong opinions.

rosepetal wrote on April 25, 2015, 11:30 AM

Politics and religion seem to be two areas where people get really touchy. One thing for sure, I don't think I would survive in the political arena. However, politics do interest me, I will not deny that.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 11:35 AM

I know what you mean and I will honestly say that I can be very stubborn when it comes to what I believe, but what irks me to no end is when people refuse to admit who they really are when it comes to discussing politics. They attempt to come across as someone who is neither Republican or Democrat, but when you read their words they post, it is painfully obvious that they mostly lean one way or the other.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 11:40 AM

I normally shy away from discussing my religious views with anyone outside of my family, my wife and I share common beliefs as we were each raised as Catholics. However, shortly after getting married and moving out to California we walked away from all organized religions. So, I learned that people view religion in a wide range of ways and I don't choose to get involved.

wolfgirl569 wrote on April 25, 2015, 3:19 PM

That is good to hear. There is bad in all of the parties. But no one person is wrong for any of their beliefs either. I am registered democrat but do straddle party lines on a lot of subjects. Guns is one of them. I have voted for I think all the parties we have right now at one time or another because I sometimes felt the other person would do a better job.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 3:27 PM

I definitely understand where you are coming from and while I pretty much vote almost always for a Republican candidates and that is mostly because I have not found a Democrat that truly has everyone's best interest at heart. In my eyes they pander to get votes and that is totally unacceptable in my eyes.

LeaPea2417 wrote on April 25, 2015, 6:20 PM

One of those ungodly opinions that people support is Abortion. It makes me ill to discuss how any politician could support it.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 6:28 PM

I now see what you were referring to and fully understand now.

wolfgirl569 wrote on April 25, 2015, 7:10 PM

But there I have those feelings about almost all of them. In my opinion all this negative campaigning that we have heard the last several years is just that. They are saying vote for me because he is worse. I voted for a woman last year because she was running ads saying why to vote for her. I did not agree with all her views but at least she did not stoop to the name calling and dirt slinging that we are so used to. And not all the candidates have even been announced for president yet and many have been scratched off my list already for that very reason. Honesty and positivity are much more important to me than some other things. That along with true religious freedom which I do not feel most of the republicans are truly for.
Also you stated that much better already than some of your past comments have come off. You can do this improving thing.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 25, 2015, 8:05 PM

I can understand exactly what you mean and I wish both sides would only produce campaign ads that tell the voters what they will do and not focus on what they think is wrong with their opponent. I am glad that you noticed that I am getting better with my comments, I have heard from a few people and that includes my wife (who is here on Persona Paper Kat- ) that I really need to be get better with how I write my comments/respond to comments and posts. Sometimes I need some tough love when it comes to that.

agvulpes wrote on April 26, 2015, 9:54 AM

I found out many years ago that if you want a good 'debate' bring up either Politics or Religion ! It would indeed be a boring old world if we were all cut from the same cloth :)

Kasman wrote on April 26, 2015, 2:00 PM

We should NEVER change our views just to 'fit in' with a certain group of people or to conform to the norm. Variety is the spice of life and discussion and disagreement is the lifeblood of civilisation - without these two humanity would be unable to progress in any field.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 26, 2015, 2:04 PM

You are exactly right, never want to conform, however, I have been learning something over the past few days, I need to work on my delivery when it comes to sharing my opinions with others.

lookatdesktop wrote on April 26, 2015, 2:33 PM

Politics among friends is difficult when we disagree especially on parties. I find myself getting very quiet when I disagree with a good friend. I certainly would not go at it at length with a perfect stranger. No telling what kind of dust I might stir from that.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 26, 2015, 3:24 PM

Oh yeah, it can create a whole lot problems among friends who disagree strongly over politics.

scheng1 wrote on April 27, 2015, 8:17 AM

Whatever our views of politics, it does not change things. It's not as if politicians will listen to us.

Soonerdad3 wrote on April 27, 2015, 8:56 AM

You are so right scheng1 , they get elected and then they forget completely that they represent us.

msiduri wrote on May 2, 2015, 6:53 PM

I find a lot of politics has degenerated into us vs. them, something I can only see as puerile. I'm conservative on some issue, progressive on others, and well, radical (using the etymological meaning of the word) on others. Nothing disgusts me more in politics than to see people spouting their rehearsed party lines. There are words for those types of people but applying them is an insult to those who make a living walking the street. Uh-oh... better get off the soapbox...

AliCanary wrote on May 4, 2015, 10:47 AM

Some people can't understand that you can simply disagree with them, and if you voice a divergent opinion, then you clearly just don't UNDERSTAND. I have very often said, "I understand what you are saying. I just don't agree with you." They just don't seem to get that.

MelissaE wrote on May 25, 2015, 9:25 PM

Politics and religion...nasty little troublemakers.