…the compulsion to fight, tear down, and divide that is.
It’s been happening for a long time. From the late Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority to Rush Limbaugh’s rants , the Birthers, and the Tea Party, we have been an audience to a great American tragedy. We have witnessed a conspiracy to divide our country in the name of God, liberty, and freedom. People with an agenda to obstruct have achieved their goal — all with the help of folks who have been led down a dangerous path.
I am not naive. I know — contrary to the belief of those who equate being American with being Anglo-Saxon — that we are a melting pot…not only of cultures but also of ideas. We the people have different opinions and, therefore, our elected officials do. But just as partners in a REAL relationship must agree to disagree, work together to find common ground, and respect one another’s opinion, so must our politicians do the same.
And the bottom line is that because of the political tactics of a few, many have and will continue to suffer.
I hear nothing but fault-finding and I see nothing but obstinacy.
Disagreement is good if it leads to compromise. But disagreement for the sake of disagreeing is lethal.
I now walk away from those who choose to participate in this negative behavior — whether friend or family. It is destructive and counter-productive. It is a total waste of time.
I urge those of you who agree to do the same.
Participate in the positive, fight for improvement, and reach for unity.
Shut out negativity, refuse to recognize divisive behavior, and ignore those who seek to destroy.
If you want to discuss ways to make things better, I will acknowledge what you say. Otherwise, I will not.
Because I learned a long time ago that the best way to end a worthless conversation is to stop talking.
PamAveryPrinted 
One of the few mass comm theories where I find some real-word relevance, Spiral of Silence, might also have some relevance here. Find out more at http://masscommtheory.com/theory-overviews/spiral-of-silence/ … This will *not* be on any test. 😉
Great read…I will use this one for sure…graci.
I stopped commenting on political stuff awhile back. People seem to feel the need to slam someone on a personal level because they disagree with their political views. I won’t participate. God bless everyone, NO EXCEPTIONS!
Good strategy….
Looked you up to see if I could figure out how two people from a small rural community could have such differing opinions. Read a number of your works and still might not know the answer; but this blog spoke to me about my comments on social media. To paraphrase ” I have stopped talking” In a effort to shut down the negativity and the worthless talk I had engaged in recently. It changes nothing. Must give you credit for a great piece of writing. See we can agree on something.
What a surprise Mark. And thanks. Being from somewhere is not what forms our opinions and beliefs as much as where life has taken us does. We humans are very complicated in that way. And also quite simple. Thank you again for reading. Send me your email and I’ll add you to my contact list. I need to write some more. Been very busy with my students at CSU. Little time for anything else.