Things we can't talk about

I haven't blogged in a while.

It's not that I've been busy, although that is the truth of it. More to the point - I haven't wanted to write anything.

Maybe it's just me, but I have been realizing that people in general seem to be locked into the reality that their filters create - myself included. So what's to talk about? We cannot debate anything political, religious, economic, or ecological now, without getting mad at each other, and the remaining material for conversation is rather drab.

Politically it's Obama or Not Obama (I'm of the latter persuasion). There is no in between. I chuckle when I hear interviews of "independents" and "moderates". In 2 sentences they explain why they are voting left. So there's really no reason to separate them from the left.

Ecologically it is either Global Warming or What's the Rush? I fall in the "What's the Rush?" crowd for several reasons. 1) the science is not settled. 2) the data has been shown to be thoroughly tainted again and again for political and ideological reasons. 3) 30 years ago I was bludgeoned with Global Cooling (remember, you baby boomers?). So the debate is NOT "over", as Hilary likes to say - it is only just begun. But we can't talk about it. It just makes us fight. One is either a Warming-ite who believes in total life-style transition to save the planet, or a skeptic who favors doing nothing until better information is available.

Religious discussion is taboo. No religious discussion is safe from animosity. It's a shame. With all its problems, organized religion has probably done more to further civilization than any other organized effort, be it government or movement. America's founders promoted freedom of religion. Today's buffoons demand freedom from religion. In this atmosphere it's best to pray behind closed doors and hope for change.

Economic conversation is unfeasible. Again, it's left and right. Either the government should control everything or nothing. Taxes should be a means toward improving the nation or as a way to control behavior. I favor sensible spending and limits on the amount anyone should be required to pay, and that rates should be objective, not arbitrary.

The tiresome fact is, that whichever way a body believes now - there seems no manner of persuading him or her to even consider arguments from the other side. To each side the other is ignorant bordering on moronic, stubborn, unrealistic, and even malicious. Each side hunkers down in their trench, even while wondering why we can't get along better or learn to compromise.

Let me give an example on health care. To the left, a bill providing care to everyone is desired, and the means to get it is to tax everyone more. To the right, the only changes that are needed are to increase competition among insurance providers, and to limit payments for malpractice suits and make those who launch frivolous lawsuits liable for court costs if or when they lose.
The right looked at a bill prepared solely by Democrat leaders in charge of both houses of congress. It was a hard pill to swallow, but Republican leaders said they could support the bill if a few changes were made, namely: take out the federal funding for abortion, and increase competition among providers. Otherwise, go ahead and raise taxes and provide care to everyone.

Well, it has become a fist fight, and lot's of bruising is going on. The Democrats have lost three valuable seats - two governorships and Ted Kennedy's (!) seat over this fight, but they will not change one word in the bill. In fact, they wonder if they can pull an end run around the legislative requirements and accept the Senate bill for later change through reconciliation. One can only imagine Republicans trying to pull such a stunt - especially when current polling pits 70% of Americans against the bill in its current form.

See what I mean about trenches? Are there Republican examples? Sure! But I AM a Republican, so I'm not going to go there - you will have to find them on your own.

The point is - I am watching friendships die and family relationships sour over this growing rigidity and antagonistic populism. It makes me sad that one can no longer reasonably discuss differences and then go have fun at other pursuits. I wonder if this isn't how our civil war got started. A few arguments in the field or around the dinner table, divided leadership in government, absence of willingness to seek common solutions, and finally - bloodshed.

So - let's stay friends. Let's visit. Let's do stuff. But when it's time for talking, please let's stay away from the following topics:

government
taxes
health care
education
religion
justice system
terrorism
war
economy
ecology
science
children
immigration
transportation
politics
food
sex
literature
news and current events
cars

There's plenty to talk about other than those argumentative topics.

Music and sports, for instance.

Except that I think Lady Ga Ga should be banned and that football players should have their salaries capped at no more than $100,000 per yer.
How about you?

Jimmy Jones
Stafford VA