I've been debating whether or not to share these thoughts for some time and I've finally reached the point I can't be quiet any longer so if you'll excuse the soapbox, I've got something to say that I just can't hold back any longer.
I'm growing more and more frustrated with the intolerance many people seem to have for those who disagree with a chosen point of view or opinion. There is very little acceptance for ideas or opinions that differ from our own. You see it in social media. You hear it from our elected officials. You get it from the talking heads on TV and radio.
Years ago, the leaders of the different political parties could disagree all day on the floor of the House or Senate and then go get a drink or have dinner together. Today, members of both parties will be skewered by the fringe elements of the parties and the talking heads and on social media if they are seen in the same room outside the Capitol with the "other side."
I see it in the language we use to talk about those who disagree with our opinions. We are no longer to simply say I disagree with your opinion, we must include something that makes you less important or denigrates you in some way. We call others names simply because they have a different perspective or opinion than we do.
My wife and I are polar opposites when it comes to politics. We disagree on many of the major social issues of the day. Having said that, I believe we both have tempered our opinions due to the discussions we can about issues. She knows far more about the criminal justice system than I do. She knows far more about the challenges faced by those who are currently working through or out of the justice system. I'm not saying she's convinced me she's right and my views are wrong. What I'm saying is I have a better understanding of what people were (or weren't) thinking when did whatever they may have done.
Last year I heard a speaker who talked about how computers and the Internet are actually pushing us into groups with people who agree with our thoughts and opinions. Think about that. If you follow the democratic or republican parties on Facebook, you'll get suggestions for more people that also follow that party. That's not all bad, but it homogenizes our thoughts and limits our exposure to other thoughts and ideas.
I'm not saying we all need to stand around the campfire holding hands and singing Kumbaya. But we could all benefit from a little more tolerance and patience for those with thoughts and opinions that differ from our own.
Sorry for the long rambling discourse, but I needed to get these thoughts on paper and out of my head.
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