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General discussion

My brain needs some help here ...

Feb 19, 2004 9:41AM PST

Can I post this again, and put my coat back on? Because I still don?t understand.

We have to vote for our desired party because OVERALL we agree with their manifesto (policies), but it doesn?t mean that we agree with ALL of their policies, and I guess it?s not that different for you in the US either (doh!).

When we debate issues, and by this I mean we ?as people?, ignoring politicians (party orientated) or journalist?s reports (with ownership party-orientated bias), we say what we as individuals think. What seems to happen here is that someone expresses a view and quotes the party as support (and is often subsequently berated for that party?s view), or perhaps he/she is expressing a view safe in the knowledge that lots of other people (in that party) agree? Then (American) religion is added into the equation as well... This is all beyond me ? why can?t someone say what he or she personally thinks without such statement being immediately related to one party line or another or one religion or another? And why can?t it be said with personal confidence (if that?s what a person believes) without introducing those issues in the original post? which only ever seems to end up as bait.

Forgive me ? I do not want to offend anyone by this post and I?m worried that I probably have but it is not intentional.

Regards
Mo

Discussion is locked

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Re:My brain needs some help here ...
Feb 19, 2004 9:58AM PST

Because that is the game which is played in here. You may notice that there is a group which never discusses issues...they just find a red herring to drag in in order not to do so!

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Re:My brain needs some help here .../don't quit understand it, but
Feb 19, 2004 10:37AM PST

I appreciate your message. I spend more time reading than posting here. I do not get into the debates at all as these are, obviously to me, dominated by a few who squabble. (Now, before anyone gets irate at this comment, let me add that creative conflict has a very good place in real decision making processes IMHO.) I do not know where you are from. I am a US citizen and a voter. But, I am one who has become more and more disapproving of the political process here. It seems that, during an election cycle, a lot of politicians come out of the wordwork and attack their opposition rather than offer much in the way of substance. They fight! and they offer to fight for us. I don't want anyone to fight for me. I want a candidate that exhibits good moral principals and is as honest as possible. He/she is allowed to make mistakes. He/she cannot and must not promise to solve every problem or please every person. To me, what the candidate believes in now and has done recently is more important than their past. Youthful transgressions can be forgiven and do not need to waste newspaper column space. With this said, it's easy for me to see a political charade starting again. Gaining office is about winning at almost any cost and our political process here has been shaped by and perpetuates a lot of dishonest or misleading practices (again, IMHO). You will see in this and other similar forums, tons of links to articles written for other than news reporting. These are not, individually, of much value when making up ones mind about which lever to pull. One must be willing to read and weed through a lot of negativity, partial and "out of context" reporting, and some just pure crap to become informed. The difficult task for me will be to see through all of the rhetoric and pick the right person go govern. Most of those who come to the front are really decent and well meaning people. Earlier in the message I mentioned a couple of qualities (morality and honesty) that I look for...or try to. Let me say this has nothing to do with religion as these are not garments worn by anyone who necessary allies with a recognized community of faith that may gather on certain days of the week, etc. Morality and honesty are personal qualities that sometimes stray. A religious foundation may help to keep on a decent path but does not create morality by itself. Sit back and watch the show and avoid anxiety over it. If someone chasizes you for your opinions, let it roll off. As for myself, I learn more with mouth shut than open anyway and am content to steer clear of most of the debate. I have found, as I get older, I prefer to be learning than feeling that I already know enough. My two cents....

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I was interested to read your post ...
Feb 19, 2004 12:12PM PST

I live in London in the UK so I cannot make any valuable response in regard to US politics. You can rest assured that others will read your post and perhaps a member of the Forum will reply according to their own views, or perhaps just take your views on board without replying.

The forum members express views on a wide range of issues - my post was about only one of many and I hope you will gain benefit from the varied topics which are discussed here.

Regards
Mo