Monday, October 27, 2008

Political Stress



I hate politics.

My husband and I were invited to a lovely couple's house last night after they generously invited our daughter to join their son and a few friends boating and tubing. What fun. New friends. It was so refreshing to meet new people that I could relate to, that my husband also liked. This is an odd occurrence.

But last night was different. We talked, laughed, enjoyed the Florida evening air. All was great and then as we were about to leave, the P word came up.
Politics. It was actually a very intelligent, non-combative discussion, however, discussing politics brings me great anxiety. It always has and it always will. I can't really explain why, except that I hate conflict. I am not one of those people who avoid conflict with people, but when it comes to politics, sometimes one just has to walk away. I also don't like the government getting their fingers into EVERYTHING. More laws, more restrictions, which, I believe, creates the disappearance of moral compasses of the masses. If the government is telling us every microscopic thing to do and what not to do, how can this society know what is right or wrong as a society growing up if the laws touch on EVERYTHING we do?!

The evening ended nicely, with no bloodshed and we left still being friends. Maybe talking politics with this couple isn't too bad. They weren't aggressive or close minded. That is a good start for me. Baby steps.

Even though I hate it, Brad
feels compelled to discuss politics with me when he hears something he so strongly disagrees with. He HAS to play devil's advocate or list the reasons why the comment he just heard was so very OFF BASE and since I am the one that is usually here. Because of this I am pretty happy he started his blog, because he'll occasionally dip his toe in politics there and leave me the hell out of it. You haven't read smart snarky political chatter until you've read Bone In The Fan.

I'll end this post how I started it and I'll be done with all this on November 4th. Untill November 9th when George Stephanopoulos arrives in our living room with more political discussion - - I am a prisoner.

I hate politics.

7 comments:

Kate said...

I'm with you. And since I am not planning to vote for one of the 2 main parties - I am REALLY tired of hearing them both talk.

Heather@Twin Birch said...

Me, too. Same thing. Pit in the stomach, feeling faint. It's no good. AND! We are the only ones who feel one way among all of our friends who feel another way. Come on Nov. 5th.

Anonymous said...

*chuckle* I feel the same way when religion is broached. I don't like to discuss either of those topics, and I don't like to be converted by any camps. I'm agreeable to whatever anyone wants to join or believe as long as they leave me out of it....unless it's funny. Given a humorous twist, I'll tolerate many things for a little while.

Suds to Love said...

I feel your pain, I greatly dislike politics (maybe it's cause I don't understand / care enough to understand). I do enjoy reading Brad's blog and I hope he is elected on the board he is running for.

Heidi said...

So is this perhaps a woman thing? I hate discussing politics. We were at a friends house yesterday and the subject came up. We seemed to have the same feelings about politics at this point so it wasn't so bad, but I still get a pit in my stomach when the subject comes up. People seem to think its going to be the end of the world if one party or the other wins. Maybe that's why I hate it so much...drama leading to misinformation and speculation.

I like what you said about losing our moral compass when the govt. is always telling us what to do. I couldn't agree more.

Its in the 40's and raining/snowing here. I miss Florida even though I've only been there once = )

Jennifer said...

Feel your pain here too!
I am so politically drained and overwhelmed... I can not wait until it is all over!
To me, it just sounds like grown ups arguing...the mom in me wants to send each party to a corner for time out!

FairyAlchemy said...

Hi, I love your posts and your soap porn is fab. So I have awarded you with The Friendship Around The World Award. Please visit my blog to receive it and see what its all about. Oh I'm sorry I really dont understand politics, I get this strange look of pure dumbfounded blankness come across me, sort of similar to mens faces when I start to talk about the properties of (a very long thing they wouldnt have a clue about) anything. A bit like explaining the football offside rule to me.