I had to wait a couple of days for the dust to settle before I put this up.  Although I am a news hound and love to debate politics (especially with Dad), I’ve purposely refrained from making any political commentary on social media because I didn’t want to get dragged into the candidate-bashing that was going on.

Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

 

Frankly, I was shocked and appalled at some of the posts that I have seen many of my friends’ Facebook walls.  I have absolutely no problem with stating your point of view on an issue, voicing your dissent about something that a politician has said, or urging your friends to vote one way or the other to support your personal reasons.  However the mean, belittling and disrespectful posts really changed my opinion of some of my friends.  Whether you agree or disagree with a candidate, have some respect!  The fact that Mr. Romney was the candidate for the Republican party to become the next president of the United States and that Mr. Obama was the incumbent vying to retain presidential office means that these are two accomplished men who are seeking to be the leader of the greatest nation in the world.  Both are successful and neither is a fool.  My father and I happen to agree on what the problems of the world are but disagree on how to fix them.  Does that mean that we denigrate each other for having differing opinions or do we believe the other is stupid because they hold the opinions that they do?  Absolutely not!

I can’t think of one person I know who wouldn’t love for the less fortunate to be taken care of.  The two sides just disagree on how to get there.

I’ve seen conservatives painted as uncompassionate a-holes because the bottom dollar is more important than making sure that everyone has insurance coverage.  They reject the idea that we are a wealthy nation and have a duty to care for those in need.  This is a silly notion.  They simply believe that it is not the government’s job to take care of you.  It is their job to guarantee your safety from attack, foreign and domestic.  Beyond that, America’s free market society provides you with the opportunities to get ahead.

I’ve also seen liberals pegged as bleeding hearts that have no fiscal responsibility and who just want to be given all they need in life.  This is just as ridiculous as the previous characterization.  Not everyone out there is looking to get their “Obamaphone.”  I know some very successful democrats who are where they are thanks to their own drive and ambition.

Thank goodness the election is over.  Perhaps my friends will have exorcised their political demons and will go back to being normal Americans.

End rant.