tolerance

You know, I have fairly mixed political beliefs. I am conservative in some ways, liberal in some ways, and I typically have shaky opinions about political issues because I can see both sides. There are a few things I feel strongly about, and those things are typically more liberal than conservative.

That said, just wondering… Has anyone EVER seen me argue, like REALLY argue, with someone over their politics being wrong? EVER? I have friends on both sides of the political fence. Family members too. As I said, I can see both sides in most issues. I am pretty mixed about it all. Like, I support same sex marriage, but I don't think we have to take "God" out of the pledge and stuff. I don't think nationalized healthcare is that bad of an idea, but I think the laissez-faire welfare system should be seriously restricted or cancelled. In the past elections, I've voted for McCain but Gore and Kerry, and for Governor Ritter (Dem.) but also for Bobby Jindal (Rep.).

When other people talk about their politics, the most I might do is admit that I don't necessarily agree, but I never get all adamant about it. I have had ONE conversation about a political topic in my memory that lasted more than a few seconds in which I really emphasized my thoughts on a topic, and that was with someone who was doing the same and it was totally non-confrontational.

That said, why is it that if I want to support a specific political stance, the opposers have to be so vocal as to be demeaning about it? I don't go up to people whose beliefs I disagree with and pound them over the head with my ideas. I might not agree with your beliefs about politics, religion, patriotism, but I don't go out of my way to state I disagree. This is why I rarely have strong beliefs about politics: I listen to all sides, and I can see benefits and disadvantages with most issues.

When it comes down to it, we're not changing each other's minds. So can we just accept that one of the great things about freedom is that we WILL disagree about some things? And can we be tolerant rather than accusatory? When someone I know is doing illegal and immoral activity and boasts about their religious convictions outwardly, do I go up to them and say, "Yeah, right, SINNER!" No. I let them be. So let's all try to do that.