I hope my friend doesn’t mind me relating our short conversation which we had at our dance class today. We are Facebook friends so she sees my posts and she told me in a nice way that I was passionate about my political beliefs. I agreed with her. She said “you know I am a Fox viewer” and I told her I knew but asked if she might be able to watch a few other news outlets occasionally. Her answer: “I can’t watch CNN.” So I suggested Headlines News or the “Today Show” in the morning. She, like me, is very concerned about the direction of our country and said to me that we need to find some middle ground. I agreed with her. She also said her brother and sister in law feel very worried and think are country is doomed.
My friend is a lovely woman, soft spoken, and kind – and we had a nice back-and-forth, with no malice towards each other. Yes! It can be done!
But after class I thought about one other thing she said, “You know, I come from a conservative family. We have always been conservative.” And, that got me thinking. Growing up I do not remember my parents talking politics in the home and I don’t know what party they claimed when voting. My mother’s parents were conservative. That I knew. But my parents didn’t make an issue about one party over the other. I do remember watching the party conventions on the TV in our living room – and I think we watched both of them. And, I knew my Dad got Newsweek Magazine in the mail each week and read it cover to cover. After I grew up and had adult conversations with my Dad I felt he leaned towards being a Democrat but I don’t think I ever asked him. My mother? Did she vote the same as my Dad? I’m guessing she did but I do not know. I never asked and they never told me.
My conversation with my friend today made me think about how some families have a tradition with a certain political party. Some don’t.
I do know that when I became an adult and started to pay attention to which senator or congressperson was of a certain party, I liked the Democrats more. I liked what they said. I felt they had more compassion, and concerns about social needs – not just money. I heard the word “equality” more from them. In general I aligned with the platforms or issues of the Democratic Party. I think the first couple of times I voted I said I was Independent but then learned that to take part in the primary system I needed to choose, Republican or Democrat. I picked Democrat.
Looking back in American History the two parties have changed greatly over the years. I’m no political historian but I love to read the posts by Dr. Heather Richardson, because she is. She can comfort at times knowing that our country has gone through some pretty rough times as it became a nation and grew. Other third parties have come and gone during the years, some only lasting a few years. But the way our country was set up, the two parties are to challenge each other, debate, compromise, and come to an agreement to move forward with a new law or solution.
We are a long way from that foundation of our country and that is what America is all about – it’s the idea, and the work that has to be put in, to become MORE perfect, but never attaining it. Greed, power, money, defensiveness, lies, and crazy media outlets – they have all challenged us here in modern times.
I really hope my friend changes the channel, and maybe even considers that she doesn’t have to be what her parents and grandparents were. It’s a new and different time. I realize that there is comfort in falling back on what you have always been, and shutting the door to other options. Unfortunately too many defend it, maybe because it’s easy. Stay the same. Tune out the noise. Change takes learning, and stepping out where you haven’t been before. Thinking it through, and not reciting things by rote.
My friend is very much like me: A senior citizen, a parent and grandparent. A white woman living in a lovely area in our country, with much given to her. We see a lot of things alike – and, oh, we both love to dance! We want the same end results: fairness, peace, our families to be safe, and to care for those in need. That is already a great starting spot. We need to elect leaders who want the same thing. We need to learn who they are. We need to change channels and get a broader view and to do a little thinking. Maybe then my friend can tell her brother and sister-in-law that our country is not doomed. Because, they are only hearing from one side.
Marla’s Musings 