Politics and hatred

[low_delta]

When I discuss politics with conservative people, especially regarding war, they always seem to get angry with me. They seem to hold me and everyone like me reponsible for what they feel is the horrible state of our nation. They use derisive language against us. They hold us in contempt.

Here's what upsets me about the deal. I don't hate someone just because he's conservative. I generally don't hate people for promoting conservative causes. I don't think someone is a moron for believing something that I disagree with. These are complex issues. We all make a choice about which aspects are important to us. Just because we might overlook some aspects, it doesn't mean we're stupid. And when it comes down to it, we are all trying to do what's best for this country (except, of course, for those in the Bush administration), so I have to have some level of respect for my fellow citizens, even though they're working against what I think is best.

I tend to believe that most of my friends feel the same way, to some degree. But many conservatives that I know seem not to reciprocate this respect. This makes me upset. I begin to hate conservatives. Not for their conservatism, but for their lack of respect, tolerance and understanding.

Comments

[cynnerth.livejournal.com]

It says in my profile that I like a good discussion that I can sink my teeth into, and that used to include political discussions...but not anymore. There's no joy in trading ideas when the other person is pompous and snide.

[sirreal13.livejournal.com]

I think they've been listening to too much Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. The media pundits thrive on being righteous. It may have worked when they were the opposition party, but now when they conflate conservatism with patriotism, it gets dangerously close to the 1984 thought patrol.

If they want to quash debate because "Loose lips sink ships," then why don't they set a good example by shutting the f@ck up?

[dwivian]

In the past the conservative side was slammed for being hatefilled for daring to contradict the administration. This was prior to our ...er... regime change. :)

Now, they are in power, and they're doing the same dumb thing the liberal side was doing. Great sensitivity, guys.

I'm conservative. I'm also somewhat reasonable, when I can be. I refuse to play the vitriol game that they learned from the liberals, who learned it from someone before them. It's just not productive.

But, I never got politics. I'm bad at it. I'm much better at charity.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I never felt you were among the assholic ones. And I'm sure if I put my mind to it, I'll decide that those conservatives are in the minority. It's just that the ones that hav ebeen bothering me lately have been important ones. People I've cared about, to some extent or another.

[specificocean.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of it has to do with the current mood of the country. Which only goes to show that history repeats itself. We're harking back to McCarthyism from the 1950s. This, too, shall pass....

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

I agree with [Unknown site tag]
There is a mood in this country now that supports conservatism.. REGARDLESS of how .. hmm.. legitimate(?) the thought process. To simplify, they are protected and feel their opinion is "right" because of that political support. It leads to two things I think, one is a more extreme conservative stance, and two a snobery that someone would DARE question their stance at all.

What it boils down to is that people are people, and there are still open minded conservatives out there, but they are harder to find at this time. It is a shame. Exchange of ideas with someone who thinks differently than we do is what stimulates growth. IMO.