Oh ... why ... just why

I am reminded recently, daily it seems, of a phrase ... why can't we all just get along. Probably paraphrased but poignant all the same in the midst of all the negative advertising, mud slinging and viciousness of the political "season". And that's just among friends on Facebook!! Never mind what the various candidates in local, state and federal elections are saying about each other. That rhetoric might be nasty but it can't hold a candle to the way people are bashing - and defriending - each other online for daring to have a different opinion.

There is apparently no such thing as civil discourse these days when it comes to the election. People who are supposed to be friends are ripping into each other and simply being cruel.

There is no call for it. None.

Part of what makes it great to live in the United States is the fact that we can voice different opinions! You can have a say (by voting) in what goes on. To hear some of these people talk it is their way or no way and I honestly wonder if they were in the same room with each other and not "yelling" across cyberspace if blood might be shed.

Here's my take (the top ten at any rate):

1. I do not give a rat's ass WHO you vote for just so long as you vote
2. In order to be allowed to complain on November 7th (and thereafter) you have to have cast a vote - no vote, no whining
3. I do not care what your religious beliefs are, they do not give you the right to discriminate against people who don't share them
4. Don't expect me to vote the way your religion thinks I should - my conscience is mine, stay out of it
5. I respect your right to have an opinion that is different than mine, would it truly kill you to do the same for me?
6. Surprise! We had a form of government health care BEFORE "Obamacare" was passed ... it's called Medicare and Medicaid
7. If you are going to get all of your information from only one source don't be surprised if other people (who read multiple newspapers and follow multiple electronic sources) think you're nuts - and by the way a blog is NOT a news source, it is an opinion forum
8. Please look up the word "socialism" and read some history books BEFORE you run around accusing others of subscribing to its tenets
9. An educated person is not automatically a "left wing liberal" - since when does having an advanced degree make a person somehow "wrong" and not having one make a person somehow "right"
10. Social Security is NOT an entitlement for people who have worked hard all their lives and thereby paid into the system, quit acting as if it is

I could go on.

For the record, yes I am a registered Democrat. Also for the record I have NEVER in my life voted 100% the "party line". I don't blindly follow anyone, anywhere. I do my research on where each candidate stands on the issues - whether those issues are crucial to me or not. I have voted for Republicans when they are the better choice. I vote for the greater good, the common good. Not for my own personal piece of the pie. Funny, I was taught that if you only look out for yourself you are being selfish and being selfish is wrong.

I was also taught to judge not, lest ye be judged and that only God has the right to judge because only He knows what's in our hearts. I was also taught to help those less fortunate than myself. To take responsibility for my own actions yes, but to realize that there but for the grace of God go I when I come across those who are struggling. So my stand on the "social issues" may very well be different than yours. Doesn't make me right and you wrong (or vice versa) just makes us different and different is good. There are countries where you are not allowed to be different. Do you really want to live in one of them?

So please let's all take a deep breath in these final four weeks before the elections. Take a step back. Put down the rocks and slings and arrows that fuel the harsh awful words flying back and forth. Exchange ideas and opinions yes - but do so respectfully, intelligently and without feeling the overwhelming need to be 100% right 100% percent of the time. 

You're human, you aren't 100% right 100% of the time. Get over it.