I usually avoid politics here except for my recent drudge comment because our culture (both online and offline) seems unwilling to truly enter into dialogue about ideas and so often public discussion is more about hurling invectives between trench lines.
My biggest problem is the feeling that I don’t fit in either camp: Republicans or Democrats; conservatives or liberals. Growing up in East TN, I found my home among the Republicans and enthusiastically joined the College Republicans in the early 80s.
When I left college, I ministered at an Inner City church among the homeless and weakest members of our society. Many of my ideals were challenged.
I am still strongly pro-life, but I’ve tried to understand how that applies across the board: from birth to death (including death penalty, war, childcare, aging care, immigration and more). For me pro-life means being pro-person and trying understand how valuing each person should affect the way I view this world. This makes me feel disconnected from both parties, and yet at times finding points of agreement with either group.
Over the years, I’ve developed friendships with people from all walks of life and political (and/or non-political) persuasions. By practicing Buber’s idea of facing people and really listening, I find myself less willing to entrench myself in certain ideas.
This also makes me listen to competing views and honestly try to think through difficult issues like the Iraq war and other issues. As I listen, wrestle, discuss and even argue at times, I often find myself in that “undecided” black hole because these issues are never as simple as the pundits preach.
The current political landscape is tired and self-serving. So people like me struggle to wonder the value of even voting.
February 6, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Doug, I think so many of us are facing the same truths regarding most issues. There simply is not an easy answer to a complex question. This propaganda coming at us in so many directions makes the seemingly simplistic, stereotypical response tempting. I feel we are at such an important time, that most of us are searching, and not quite finding satisfaction in our media, and political realm. I hope that this leads more and more of us to keep interested, and not give in to simplistic knee-jerk reaction/thinking.
Currently im working through my fifteenth year as a chicago firefighter, so I know a little about tribal cohesion. The firehouse can be all right wing all the time. but their values are so high with respect to the day to day, moment to moment. I have my opinions to why that is. I’ve been through your parts quite often, back in the late seventies through the late eighties, visiting family from Murphy N.C. to Marietta G.A. I can imagine how tough it can be for anyone from your parts trying to have two way discussion., yet there are so many oportunities to gather so many similar stories, and life circumstances.
And I must add, I am reading (very slowly) Bubers “I and thou” thought i would check whats written out here about him. Im feeling the same as most everyone commenting on his writting and stance. I wish I was ready for this twenty years ago. I thought people just needed a simple wake-up call lol.
talk to ya.
February 7, 2008 at 12:16 am
Thanks for your comment. It’s nice to here that others are wrestling with similar issues. I appreciate your thoughtful response and it’s always a delight to hear about someone reading Buber. He taught me a graciousness in listening that I still seek to learn and live. Blessings!