I would like to believe that all of us are at least capable of thinking for ourselves, taking sides on an issue based in part upon our own socio-economic status, our life experiences as human beings. My perspective is based just on that. I would like to think that many people do the same. There are however Lemmings amongst us. Lemmings as you recall are those who blindly follow without thinking or considering the consequences. They just follow, no matter what. You cannot rationalize with a Lemming, you cannot have a reasonable conversation with a Lemming. I have met many such people in my life.
My first experience was with the military. There are just some people who don't get it. They are so used to being told what to think and do, that when they leave, they are embedded with certain 'beliefs', usually very right leaning. Devout religious folks also fall into this category, though they can be much worse because the basis for their beliefs comes from billions of permutations or interpretations of the printed basis for that religion. Whether you are Christian, Muslim or Jew, there are different interpretations for EVERYTHING. Ideologically pure politicians also fall into this category as well as those followers who want to just 'get along'. There are many groups of people who all fall into the Lemming category, though smaller and regionalised. Examples would be right to lifer's, Tenthers, Racists, etc. Each has their own agenda and beliefs and cannot be reasoned with, even with concrete evidence to the contrary. That is a Lemming.
Part of my problem is that if I take a stand on a certain subject, I am branded something other than what I truly am. I think we all have run into this. We don't listen enough. We tend to judge one another based upon a narrow view, which is unfair. I can disagree with a person on a particular subject, but because I am judged a certain way, the other issues we might agree upon get lost because we can never get past that one issue. I was able to get through to one person the other day. I was labeled an Libtard, which is an offensive term by this person, so I asked him, what makes he say that. Out of respect for the office, I showed respect for our President and to him that made me a Libtard. Once we got off that particular subject, he found we had common ground on other areas and could actually have a conversation without labels. Had I not approached him, this would have never happened. Now, he may still think of me as a Libtard personally, but he has stopped calling me that. For that I am grateful.
So what prompted this rant tonight?
I was watching with some interest yesterday the peaceful transition of power in the House. I paid attention to everything. Now, I don't know what the next two years are going to bring. I am hopeful. One of the cable news shows ( I won't say which since it will be used to label me) interviewed two of the new incoming Congressmen, one Democrat, the other a Tea Bag Republican. The Democrat bothered me because he did not seem, at least to me to be 'qualified'. Call it demeanor, use of the english language or his lack of grasp of the issues. He dressed up well, but that was about it. I would not have voted for the guy. The Republican bothered me in another way. When asked about what HE expected to accomplish the next two years, his answer raised all kinds of red flags. He said that the 'party leadership' has a plan for the future and he was going to support whatever they felt was right and proper. Lemming? Now I don't think I am politically naive. I know that to get what you want for your constituents you have to 'play ball'. That is the way things are. On the other hand, if you stand your ground and force the powers that be to come to you and earn your vote, we may have a better system. I have no doubt our system is crippled, not necessarily broken.
May I suggest to all the Lemmings out there, turn on, not tune out.
No comments:
Post a Comment