Yes, I'm going there. Again.
What is closed mindedness? Well, according to dictionary. com, closed-minded is an adjective meaning: "Intolerant of the beliefs and opinions of others; stubbornly unreceptive to new ideas"
So what constitutes that in a person? Is it unwillingness to listen? Or simply the rejection of the ideas heard? I think declaring that someone is closed minded is extremely far reaching, for really, who among us can rightly claim to be entirely open minded? One side of the aisle likes to claim they have open minds, but really, when they shut down anyone and everyone who disagrees with them faster then the blink of an eye, can that be considered remotely open minded? No, I think not. Those are the truly closed-minded. Don't get me wrong, there are closed-minded people to be found on both sides of tha aisle, but the hypocritical stance is really only taken by one side.
Really what I see happening is that people become set in their beliefs. Personally, I have a very developed set of beliefs and morals, which leads some to believe that the fact that I am not conforming to the popular set of beliefs and morals makes me closed-minded. That is not the case, it simply makes me much more steady in my beliefs then those swayed by popular opinions and beliefs. Those who conform to popular beliefs aren't open minded, but merely weak minded. I think that is often the problem, the two are confused. Perhaps that is a bit far reaching, but quite possibly it is what we all know to be true but don't like to air the belief.
The most disturbing part of the trend seen with regards to closed-mindedness is the use of the words to further divide the already highly partisan America. Those who use these words as insults don't do any favors to those who would truly have a solution and merely divide what doesn't need any help splitting. The people who use the term closed-minded are only further dividing the people, most of whom are already firm in their beliefs, doing nothing but making the entire situation worse. If unity is the real goal of those who say they would unite Americans, perhaps they should stop dividing them with their actions and their words.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What is popular isn't always what is right...
Its been far too long, but now that it is one week til election day, I figgured it probably couldn't hurt to start again.
One week is all that's left. The next four years come down to it. All the work done by many people over the past two years comes down to this. John McCain and Barack Obama. The best(?) both parties have to offer, toe to toe for the most powerful job in the world. Drastically different ideals and values, vast differences in character, honesty, personalities, drastically different people. One has given everything but his life for his country. One has given a few years in his state legeslature and beautiful speeches. One has 25+ years of experience. One has 143 days of questionable exerience(how long Obama was actually in the US Senate before he announced his candidacy for President). One sticks to his promises, one doesn't. One likes to spend your money for you, the other doesn't. One values your voice and your liberties, the other doesn't. One values your guns and your religion, the other thinks you are clinging to them out of weakness. One will succed in the war on terror, the other won't. One will change Washington, the other will only make the political machine worse. But you can find all that out for yourself.
I'm not telling you who to vote for, I'm telling you about the people, after all, it is your vote. I know who I trust to make the right decisions and do what's best for the country. All I ask it that you know why you vote the way you do, what each candidate stands for, what they will do when they are elected, and then cast your ballot accordingly.
An election is as much finding out what you believe as it is finding out what the candidates believe. You can have all the knowledge in the world about every candidate and still not know who to vote for. You have to search yourself and find what you truly believe in order to determine how you should vote. It is a process of self examination, determining what values you hold to, and how your worldview impacts your ballot. Like I said earlier, I don't really care who you vote for(well obviously I do, but unless you are truly undecided I'm not going to try to change you), but you sure as heck better know why, and it should be because of your values, not because of popularity or cult of personality.
One week is all that's left. The next four years come down to it. All the work done by many people over the past two years comes down to this. John McCain and Barack Obama. The best(?) both parties have to offer, toe to toe for the most powerful job in the world. Drastically different ideals and values, vast differences in character, honesty, personalities, drastically different people. One has given everything but his life for his country. One has given a few years in his state legeslature and beautiful speeches. One has 25+ years of experience. One has 143 days of questionable exerience(how long Obama was actually in the US Senate before he announced his candidacy for President). One sticks to his promises, one doesn't. One likes to spend your money for you, the other doesn't. One values your voice and your liberties, the other doesn't. One values your guns and your religion, the other thinks you are clinging to them out of weakness. One will succed in the war on terror, the other won't. One will change Washington, the other will only make the political machine worse. But you can find all that out for yourself.
I'm not telling you who to vote for, I'm telling you about the people, after all, it is your vote. I know who I trust to make the right decisions and do what's best for the country. All I ask it that you know why you vote the way you do, what each candidate stands for, what they will do when they are elected, and then cast your ballot accordingly.
An election is as much finding out what you believe as it is finding out what the candidates believe. You can have all the knowledge in the world about every candidate and still not know who to vote for. You have to search yourself and find what you truly believe in order to determine how you should vote. It is a process of self examination, determining what values you hold to, and how your worldview impacts your ballot. Like I said earlier, I don't really care who you vote for(well obviously I do, but unless you are truly undecided I'm not going to try to change you), but you sure as heck better know why, and it should be because of your values, not because of popularity or cult of personality.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Illegal Immigration
Now that there appears to be no chance of a candidate that would satisfy my qualifications in regard to illegal immigration, I feel it approprriate to recall some of our predecessors thoughts on this topic. One of the best examples is a Ronald Reagan quote, I'm sure that's a surprise. He was speaking in regard to a boat full of Hondurans approaching our shore, apparently fleeing from the looming crisises in Latin America. Here was Reagan's response(in his diary):
"I am, all for opening the door to refugees from totalitarianism but this ismore complicated. These are justpeople who believe they can have a better life here. They are in fact illegal aliens. We will have to deport them but it is a long & complicated business due to our own laws."
It is neccisary to secure our borders the right way, using brick and mortar walls, a mch more secure optionthan the electronic surveillance fence recently put in place. We need this for national security, and to ensurethis country remains founded on laws and principle. "What then, when you have cut down all the laws to get it? Where will you stand when the wind blows?"
"I am, all for opening the door to refugees from totalitarianism but this ismore complicated. These are justpeople who believe they can have a better life here. They are in fact illegal aliens. We will have to deport them but it is a long & complicated business due to our own laws."
It is neccisary to secure our borders the right way, using brick and mortar walls, a mch more secure optionthan the electronic surveillance fence recently put in place. We need this for national security, and to ensurethis country remains founded on laws and principle. "What then, when you have cut down all the laws to get it? Where will you stand when the wind blows?"
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Lesser
As John McCain nears the Republican nomination, many conservatives are wondering whether a vote fo McCain is ok. Normally, I'm a very principled person, and would say no. But the situation facing our nation and its standing in the world really have me concerned, especially if certain candidates get into the White House. A Deomcratic candidate would be disasterous in my mind, we can't afford the policies they advocate. Whether healthcare, foreign policy, or economic policies, they sem to want to do the exact opposite of what would actually work. So, McCain is by far the lesser of two evils, and will probably receive my vote this November, but with nose plugged.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
