Trip to feed store leads to political arguement!

[KristyHall]

I think that if someone does not vote they have no right to tell anyone how to vote let alone complain about a candidate.

Does it reaally matter who wins? nothing gets done or works anyways.

refusing to vote can be a form of protest.

 

[cassie]

I keep hoping for an election where I am voting FOR a candidate rather than AGAINST one but I may die of old age before that happens. Having to choose the lesser of two evils is not one of my favorite things to do.

 

[ChicKat]

I have met both, but it is wonderful when you find someone who you can talk to civilly.

I have a new neighbor from Texas. A retired lawyer. He is extreme one way, while I tend to be own the middle on a lot of issues.

Within five minutes he made some racist comments involving voting, and called me a socialist He asked if I was offend I said " No but you're scaring me" and he stopped and looked me in the eye and I said " I am mixed raced, non christian and bi, do you hate me?" and he asked " did you vote for (the person he is against") and I started laughing.

It was odd. Despite his strong words, we did not get into a shouting match, neither was angry.

We ended up in a long discussion, as we walked back to his property gate and he said " So, you hate me now?" and I said " I don't hate anyone, and I am still willing to be a good neighbor, help when I can, you believe what you believe just don't burn anything down in my yard" and he laughed and said "I wouldn't do that to anyone, even if they are a socialist"

I stopped at the gate and said " look, not everything is black and white" he got real quiet then responded " maybe I look at things in too much black and white" and I shrugged and said " We all have our ridgedness, but I don't trust any politician. Anyone who has that kind of power over me, I don't trust" He smiled a little and said " we have more in common than we thought" and as I left he called out " I'll make you a (His party affiliation) yet!" I responded " I doubt that!" and the last thing I heard him say as " come back anytime for another debate!"

It was one of the oddest political discussions I have ever had. He made some inflammatory statements, but he was strangely civil about it, he was likable, and I do not fear the old guy.

Do I agree with him? Not under any circumstances, but I think he speaks from a point of anger and frustration, and has clung to some random political pundit's statements ( no names needed)

Have I ever gotten angry in a political dissuasion? Yes. Have I ever shouted in one? No, but I have gotten vicious with my words (no cursing mind you, and the last time I name called was in high school). I am not proud of it, but we all have our hot button issues.

Glad that this story had a happy ending - of sorts.

Your neighbor's behavior is so 'Texas' IMO - Your directness may have given him food for thought. He sounds rather curmudgeonly - but still someone who cares about people and about his neighbor. I'm glad that you posted this -

 

[ChicKat]

Their are people on both sides that are idiots. I find that there are fewer of them but they're the loudest.
And I see nothing wrong with telling someone how to vote and why, there's a differences between talking to someone and hounding someone.
I may not like what you're saying but I served and risked my life and would again to defend your right to say it.

Thank you for your service to our country.

I wish that more of us would always remember the sacrifices that you and other veterans have made on our behalf as well as the women who were jailed and force fed with tubes to give us all the right to vote.

Every American should vote his or her conscience, and should respect the rights of every other American to do the same -- if their vote matches or mismatches our own vote. It is their right. People engaging in political discourse and stating their views is part of democracy and free speech. Calling people idiots for their views...maybe not so productive either way.

My sympathies to everyone in a "battleground" state. This election will exceed any previous election in political advertising. I bet y'all are being bombarded.

 

[Stumpy]

That tells me who you're voting for, even if you don't "name names"

Exactly.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Being in a swing state, I'm pretty much sick of the entire election and wish it was over yesterday. Both candidates have made numerous stops in my town/county and have screwed with our traffic to the point where we can't even get home. Signs are everywhere and I've taken to not looking at the local TV channels as they've become nothing but one huge political advertisement. I've even quit answering the phone if it's not a number I recognize. Enough already!

I find it all a bit insulting. Each party seems to think I don't have the ability to read and/or reason for myself and that their flier/sign/ad/appearance/call/mailer is going to make a difference in my opinion. NOT! It's all a waste. I hate to think of how many children we could have educated, immunized, and fed with all the campaign money spent for naught.

I have a hard and fast rule - I don't discuss sex, religion, or politics with acquaintances or strangers. Most every war ever fought was over one of those three things.

ETA: Just got a notice that the Gov. and a Senatorial candidate will be campaigning in town today. Near where I work. At lunch. Arghhhhh!!!!!!!

 

[oldrooster]

chickened your right I always ask people the wedness day after if they exercised their right to gripe....edited to say I tell them I don't want to know how they voted, just that they exercised the right to gripe....

 

[ChicKat]

Being in a swing state, I'm pretty much sick of the entire election and wish it was over yesterday. Both candidates have made numerous stops in my town/county and have screwed with our traffic to the point where we can't even get home. Signs are everywhere and I've taken to not looking at the local TV channels as they've become nothing but one huge political advertisement. I've even quit answering the phone if it's not a number I recognize. Enough already!

I find it all a bit insulting. Each party seems to think I don't have the ability to read and/or reason for myself and that their flier/sign/ad/appearance/call/mailer is going to make a difference in my opinion. NOT! It's all a waste. I hate to think of how many children we could have educated, immunized, and fed with all the campaign money spent for naught.

I have a hard and fast rule - I don't discuss sex, religion, or politics with acquaintances or strangers. Most every war ever fought was over one of those three things.

ETA: Just got a notice that the Gov. and a Senatorial candidate will be campaigning in town today. Near where I work. At lunch. Arghhhhh!!!!!!!

My sympathy to you....... I actually did have lunch with an undecided voter today who hasn't decided for whom to vote...but they know who they aren't going to vote for...(kind of like knowing who you are going to vote for if you vote a major party.... Oh well). That is the voter they are trying to get with all the commercials.

I also agree that most folks by now have made up their mind if they are going to vote, for whom they will cast their ballot. Your point is good about if the amount of money had been directed elsewhere than commercials.

And then we haven't had 'the October surprise' yet --- have we? So just think it will get worse before it gets better....and then the election will be past tense. Hang in there for a few more weeks......

I came across a letter written by my grandmother during WWII - she was saying the same election-weary thing back in the 1940's. It will be good when it is over with.

 

[hemet dennis]

My sympathy to you....... I actually did have lunch with an undecided voter today who hasn't decided for whom to vote...but they know who they aren't going to vote for...(kind of like knowing who you are going to vote for if you vote a major party.... Oh well). That is the voter they are trying to get with all the commercials.

I also agree that most folks by now have made up their mind if they are going to vote, for whom they will cast their ballot. Your point is good about if the amount of money had been directed elsewhere than commercials.

And then we haven't had 'the October surprise' yet --- have we? So just think it will get worse before it gets better....and then the election will be past tense. Hang in there for a few more weeks......

I came across a letter written by my grandmother during WWII - she was saying the same election-weary thing back in the 1940's. It will be good when it is over with.

It would seem the more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[oldrooster]

Remember what Shakespeare said what he thought they should do to all the politicians and lawyers.......I wonder when we as a people wake up and either do that or just throw everyone out and vote in everyone who has never held office before with welfare, food stamps, and medicare as the pay structure.