Why Must Everything be Politicized?

It's tearing the fabric of our society apart right down the seams before our very eyes.  

This is not a new thing.  

It didn't just start in the last 4 years.  It's been brewing and building up over the last 20 plus years.  Many of you may be old enough to remember the hotly contested presidential election of Gore and W. Bush in 2000.  It came right down to the wire, so close it was difficult to call who really won.  The debate went on for weeks with no clear winner.  Sound familiar??  But in 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that W. Bush did indeed win the election by a slim margin.  To me, that was the start of when partisan politics really started to heat up in the public square so to speak. 

 And it's only increased with vigor since then!   

The polarization of the country over Trump has only added fuel to the fire of this divide.  But it wasn't the start.  It was there before and increasing.  

Everything seems to now be filtered through the lens of your politics.

I believe this is a very dangerous trend.  It seems that no matter what you say or do, it is interpreted through the lens of politics.  This is insane!  It's evil, in my opinion.  The TV shows you watch, the school you attend, where you live, the things you purchase.  Way beyond just who you vote for.  And I can remember a time when you did NOT talk about how you voted in the last election.  It's none of their business.  That is your business, your choice.  It's still a free country.  Or is it?

Recently, I was telling somebody about how I miss the Life Cokes, the ones that came in the little green cans.  Have not been able to find them in stores lately.  I was asked why am I buying coke now?  This person told me they are boycotting coke products because the company is taking a stance that does not agree with their politics.  So what??  I like coke, I know people who work for coke and they are good people.  I'm not switching to Pepsi.  I was born and bred in Georgia.  Drinking Pepsi is against my religion, man!  I'm not always again't boycotting in some situations and I do respect his person's right to boycott Coke.  That is their decision.

Chick-Fil-A will be in Heaven

But I digress.  Same with Chick-Fil-A.  Ohhh, you eat there??? Oh nooooo, they must be boycotted!  Nonesense.  I like their food. They provide great service.  I'm going to continue to eat there. Besides, when we die and go to Heaven, I am convinced that just beyond the pearly gates, there WILL be a Chick-Fil-A truck parked there waiting the take your order and deliver with a smile.  😉

Same with Target.  People say boycott Target!  I don't even remember now why that is, but I hear that one a lot.  Don't shop at Target!  Again, this is nonsense.  I like Target.  I can shop there in relative peace.  It's not so chaotic and crowded like that other huge box store that begins with a W.  

I could go on and on about that but you get the point.  Even what you eat, where you shop seems to be politicized.  It's sickening!  

And I won't even go into mask wearing, your opinion on religion, the Covid Vaccine.  Don't even get me started.  I just do not understand it.  I really don't.  

No society can survive this train wreck

But I do understand one thing about this.  It needs to stop or at least calm down.  No society can survive the way this is going.  I'm serious here. I read where in one town in Ohio, there was a big dust up over a school system allowing students to go back in person.  The fear being it's still too early and Covid is still a concern with in person schooling.  Well the debate raged online on FB of course.  So a group of parents started publishing first and last names of other parents who disagreed with their opinion on the matter.  Called them out publicly!  WHAT??!?  Who does this??  Do they reallize the fire they are playing with here??  What country is this?  This kind of thing is what leads citizens of countries to end up fighting in the streets. I'm not talking about fighting as in verbal arguments.  I'm talking about all out shooting war kind of fighting.  And if and when that happens, there are no winners.  Only losers.  And you lose your society and possibly the country.  Don't believe me?  Don't think it can't happen here?  Think again.  History if full of examples.

Can't we just agree to disagree and be civil?

Those of you who know me personally know that I do lean conservative on most issues (not all).  But I do not want the destruction of our nation.  There is a place for liberals and conservatives at our table and we must find a way to live and be productive together.  We must get back to a place where there is mutual respect and civil discourse.  Healthy debate is good!  But it can go too far.  I remember a time when people had debates but still remained friends.  We hashed it out and sometimes you lost, sometimes you won.  But at the end of the day we were still on the same USA team.  What I am seeing nowadays is downright scary.  People are literally at each other's throats on this stuff.  And it has to stop.  So what is wrong with just agreeing to diagree.  You can do that and it's OK.  Did you know that is OK?  We better figure it out and get back to that or we all lose.

As long as the other person is not attacking me personally or denying my rights.  As long as those two things are not in play, then we can debate and argue then shake hands and still be friends. 

I am not without sin here

I will be the first to admit that I have fallen into this as well.  But it's gets old, you realize it's destructive.  It's not healthy.  You have to snap out of it!  We must get back to a place where at the end of the day it's OK to disagree and walk back home together.  

Stop media for a while

Stop watching the news and twitter/social media fighting for a while!  The talking heads on cable news get paid very well to stoke the flames of division.  It's frightening.  OK, yes I have my favorite podcasts and TV shows I watch but you must keep perspective.  Don't get obssessed with it.  Let's talk to each other IN PERSON for a change.  Talk to someone that you don't agree with about things, life in general.  You may LEARN something.   

It starts with us as individuals

There is not much we can do about the media or corrupt politicians.  What we can do is decide as individuals to treat others with respect and dignity.  Help your neighbors in need, be kind to those around you, no matter their politics or belief system.  Stand up for what you believe! Healthy debate is fine, as long as it is kept civil.  

 I'm not saying lay down and be a door mat either now.  Let me be clear.  If somebody is attacking you verbally in a personal way, purge that person from your life.  Walk away.  Make no mistake, if someone is actively trying to attack my home and family in a physical manner, they will reap the whirlwind.  There will be no warning.  

I pray and hope our nation can be more united but I am not very optimistic about it.  We still have a chance but it is getting more slim by the day.  As a country, if we can't come together more, I do fear what comes next and what that will look like.  God help us.

Please feel free to share your feedback with me!