Become the Enemy

Right now, half the country is mad. Some of the other half is probably somewhat upset too. That's what happens when you have to choose between the lesser of two evils, regardless of which one you think is the lesser one. I wouldn't have been happy no matter which side won. So what are you going to do, move to Paris?

I'm impressed by Kerry's plea for unity. That's something we need right now.

Do you want change? Do you want to change what others believe? It's not going to happen by calling them idiots. They think you're the idiot. I've seen a lot of divisiveness in this campaign, and it was disturbing. Lots of yelling at the other side, calling people names and hurling insults. That's not going to do anything.

Not everyone did that. Some people tried to calmly explain their side, in hopes of a rational conversation. Bless you for that. But it mostly didn't work. Who listens to people on the other side? We've been trained by the ad agencies to ignore the claims of people we don't trust. (Used car dealers, politicians, personal enhancement products.) Add to that those people on the other side.

So here's what you do. Become the enemy. And I'm not talking about Machiavellian 5th column actions where you pretend to be the other side in order to obtain intelligence and gum up their works. I mean, join the other side in good faith. I know, that's crazy talk. But don't quit reading quite yet.

Both sides have opinions you can believe in. Not all of them, but there are always parts you like and parts you don't like, and you wish you could form your own team from the best of both sides. But we seem to be stuck with the two sides we've got. So join the other side, take pleasure in those parts that you agree with, and make your case for reforming those parts you don't like. People will listen to you, because you're one of them. You still might not succeed, but you'll have a better chance. We've all got to stop being so closed-minded about the things we believe in. There are very few absolutes in life. Of that, I'm absolutely sure. :)

Oh, and one more thing... next time... can you give us some better candidates? I mean, come on!


Blog Tag: Opinion