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Narrow minded works both ways. I live in California and am a registered Independent but when I go home and visit family and friends ( Louisiana) I am beaten to death if I even mention pro-choice or for that matter, Feinstein or Boxer. They just don't want to hear a different opinion.
Just depends upon what side you're on as to how you evaluate narrow mindedness.
I'm not really that "big" into politics, and I normally stay away from this forum all together. But something happened to me recently that I want to get off my chest. I'm a college student and I'm an active member of a club at my school. This club is non-political... at least supposedly. I've known the club advisor, who's in his late '50s (let's call him Doug-- not his real name) for several years, and at least until last week, I've always respected him. He knows me pretty well too, although I have rarely, if ever, discussed politics with him. He's made it pretty clear in the past that he is a major hardcore liberal and a huge supporter of the Democratic Party and certain liberal causes. I consider myself a moderate, "libertarian"-leaning conservative. Up until last week, though, our political differences really hasn't gotten in the way of anything. Truth is, I can get along with just about everybody-- liberals, conservatives, left and right, as long as they stay out of my face. I was raised to never talk about politics and religion in public... and generally, I keep to that.
Last week after the normal club meeting was over, group of us "regulars" were sitting around a table, just talking, and then all of a sudden the conversation turns to the up and coming presidential election. This is normally the point where I just leave, but this time I stayed, keeping quiet and listening to what these people have to say. Doug, the advisor, goes around the table round-robbin asking each person "which candidate do you endorse"? This one girl says, "Hilary Clinton," and goes into a long speech about why she's so great. Another girls agrees with her, "Hilary." Another one says, "I actually voted for Obama in the primaries, ha ha, but I'm changing my vote to Hillary." This one guy comes in and says, "Clinton." Doug says he's for "John Edwards," and goes into a long rant about how the Democratic party's going to lose because they didn't vote for Edwards, but then implies that he would probably vote for Hillary. Then he asks me. I say, "I'm for McCain."
The whole table cringes in shock. Doug asks me, accusingly, "Why?" I say that John McCain clearly has the best leadership abilities of all the candidates, the most consistent voting record as a moderate, fiscally conservative, non-fundamentalist Republican (what being a Republican meant from the time the party was established all the way until a few decades ago), the best military experience of any (would-be) president since Eisenhower, and to top it off, he's a senator from Arizona... our state! I personally think McCain should have been chosen 8 years ago (I am not a Bush supporter at all). But better late than never. Point is though, I'm not writing this to convince you about my political views-- it's what happens next.
What happens next is the whole 4 years of history of interactions between me and Doug seems to get tossed out in an instant. I recently told him that my goal is to become a public accountant. I'm graduating with my bachelor's next month (in an unrelated major) and then I'm going straight into a master's in accounting degree at a prestigious school. Knowing this, he says, "Vegaspilgrim (not my name, obviously)... you're going to become a wealthy accountant some day..." I smile, thinking this is a compliment. (I'd like to think I'll become successful some day, but there's no guarrantee of anything). But in any case-- NOT! Next, he says, "You're going to become a wealthy accountant... and advocate welfare for the wealthy." Wait a second here... pretty much the only thing I've ever said to Doug regarding politics in the four years I've known him is just a minute ago when I said I plan on voting for John McCain... and now, all of a sudden, based on that one statement, he extrapolates an entire political ideology and puts words in my mouth, which may or may not even be true. He must think he's a genius, coming up with cute, stupid phrases like "welfare for the wealthy."
Then I respond, startled, saying, "Wealthy people give their own private contributions to charity. That's what charity is all about... people donating their own money for a cause they believe in, not the government taking people's money to run a "nanny state."" Then he responds with this whole tirade about, "Well, that's what Reagan said in the 1980s, and he dismantled all kinds of welfare programs without ever giving a dime to charity himself." I don't really know that much about Reagan (or even care, personally, I was still in diapers when he was president), so I don't know how to respond. He goes into some rant about how I'm going to be personally responsible for the plight of poor people (all because I want to vote for John McCain, I guess). I say, look here, politics is all about choosing the lesser of the evils; there is no ideal candidate. He contradicts this, saying that it IS about idealism. Whatever. Then I tell him, as I'm leaving, "The world doesn't run on socialism." He responds by saying something about how free universal health care is a human right and that the non-wealthy can't afford it. (For the record, I believe something MUST be done about the escalating costs of health care, but I don't think that socialized medicine is the right way to solve the problem).
So basically, what he's saying is, because I'm going into a career path that actually makes money (he works for the club... a non-profit organization-- so I sense some resentment there), and I want to vote for John McCain, that I am a greedy, selfish, bad person. I think Doug, the advisor's statement is absolutely pathetic, and uncalled for. Debate politics all day long and try to convince me that John Edwards is god, but stay out of my face, please. The instant someone starts ACCUSING me personally of being immoral, based on a voting preference in one election that hasn't even happened yet, I think it shows that person is extremely narrow minded, and quite stupid, frankly. For him, politics is his whole life; his entire family is extremely politically involved (all Democrats). After Doug showed his true colors last week, I'm not even sure if I can respect him again. I also think the sheep-like nature of the club I'm in is also pathetic; it's like you have to think exactly as they do or you're an outcast... even though the club is not supposed to be about politics.
What do you guys think about my story? Ever encountered someone like this? I want to hear your opinions, both left and right.
Young man,
Do not be discouraged or intimidated by Doug! Just by listening to you in your writing, I can see that you are an articulate and sharp thinking person. I am the same age as Doug and have met many Dougs in my life. In fact, I was a Doug when I was your age but as I aged and gathered more experience in life I outgrew the silly and harmful thinking that Doug espouses. I can say with experience and fairness that this is typical left wing thinking..they would certainly disagree with me...but this kind of knee jerk, left wing response is typical of their persuasion. I did the same thing...shooting my mouth off, accepting so-called facts from my socialist anti-american professors, making sweeping generalizations without backing my statements up, not allowing others to have a different perspectives without labeling them. Those professors....they self proclaimed themselves socialist...I did not just name call them. I was a very intolerant person but viewed myself as very open and tolerant. I read a lot but only the good books by all the so-called alternative, counter culture writers. So, now, when I hear something in the liberal media...I do not swallow it hook line and sinker but go out and get a couple of books that challenge their unholy premises. But the trick here is to THINK, really apply your own grey matter..not just take whatever you hear at face value. Most liberals start with false premises and usually get you to unwittingly accept them at the start of the argument. Like "America is an imperialist nation". I am sure you heard that one in school. But stop right there...do not argue with them or try to prove it is not by giving examples, etc. Think, does that make sense? What is known? What are the facts of history? What would an imperialist nation look like and act like? Would an imperialist nation fight wars against other nations and then give them back their countries and then give them aid to rebuild. Would they allow so-called allies like France to stab them in the back for 60 years after WWII? I think you get my meaning here. Your are a smart fellow and your ahead of me already by 30 years..keep questioning, thinking and reading..you will have to put it together sometimes yourself... but know that there is objective truth out there in a sea of liberal propaganda and extremist agendas. Let the free market of ideas battle each other and take your stand on that battlefield.
Good luck to you....an old radical turned Conservative.
....I guess the statement I made sounds pretty narrow minded. I have conversed with people from different areas on the political spectrum that are intolerant, but also many who are unprejudiced and interested in what others think. Try overlook it when people say mean things, and remember that people are inherently good, and you might miss out on a really good conversation.
I do not believe many people are purly liberal or purly consevative, that is the first assumption you should get out of your brain. Thinking people are usually a mix of the two depending on the subject.
What do you guys think about my story? Ever encountered someone like this? I want to hear your opinions, both left and right.
It's really sad, but I'm not surprised. Just look on any of these political threads, and it's scary how much venom the government-lovers will target you with, if you dare mention that you hold a Libertarian philosophy.
One thing they ought to teach in college, don't talk politics with associates. And if you already KNOW your opinion is opposite of everyone else's, then REALLY don't talk politics with associates. But if you choose to do so accept the consequences that are sure to follow.
I live in L.A. and I've only encountered this EVERY time someone pushes me for my political opinions. I'm Black and a woman so they always assume they know what I think on any subject and behave as if they have been personally offended when their idea of me meets reality. I normally don't discuss politics. I discuss history and philosophy. I leave politics and religion alone.
Do you ever apply any of your knowledge of history and philosophy, or, is it just an abstract conversation piece?
Love your handle by the way.
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