My Political Discussion Experiment

[Moto44]

As is typical, recent political discussion here turned sour. I believe it is possible to discuss politics without name calling or creating hard feelings. More importantly, I believe it is possible to learn something from others and broaden our political understanding, even from those who we generally don't agree with.

This is my thread. And if anyone cares to share your thoughts, please abide by my rules:

1. No name calling and try to avoid labels.

2. Instead of suggesting that others simply don't get it, either explain your understanding or ask what has led us to our conclusions.

3. Please try to keep your explanations brief and to the point. Be pithy.

I know this doesn't sound like much fun. This thread may be dead and gone tomorrow for lack of interest, or we may find that people refuse to abide by the rules. Oh well, it is an experiment after all.

Feel free to bring up any political topic that concerns you. But, please pose your concern in a way that respects others and welcomes us to share our own insights.

Where to start? Anyone have a difficult time understanding how so many others have arrived at an opposing viewpoint?

[kestrel74]

Although I NEVER talk about politics to anyone, it IS in fact pretty cool that either way, a minority will be in the white house.

( P.S......I'm voting for this guy as always )

[slaughtr]

I pledge to abide by your rules Todd, or at least I'll try.

[Randy Chase]

Fodder for Epic Fail thread later on. Nice effort though.

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

Although I NEVER talk about politics to anyone, it IS in fact pretty cool that either way, a minority will be in the white house.

+1

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Fodder for Epic Fail thread later on. Nice effort though.

How 'bought this,
Try to start every post with an...
"I see your point about.." before starting in on some one.

[maz]

in before the lock

[Socal_4_LYfe]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Where to start? Anyone have a difficult time understanding how so many others have arrived at an opposing viewpoint?

"If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way."
Bertrand Russell

"A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand."
Bertrand Russell

"It is a waste of energy to be angry with a man who behaves badly, just as it is to be angry with a car that won't go."
Bertrand Russell

"Many people would sooner die than think; In fact, they do so."
Bertrand Russell

"If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years."
Bertrand Russell

"I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn't wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine."
Bertrand Russell

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by kestrel74

it IS in fact pretty cool that either way, a minority will be in the white house.

Of course, we shouldn't judge candidates by their race or gender, but it can have a bearing. For example, it is often considered unacceptable for those in the majority to discuss minority issues.

As president, Senator Obama would be in a unique position to take on the issue of race. Blacks are failing in the system at a higher rate than others. As a white man, I know that it is often not considered acceptable for me to discuss the possible reasons why and how this might best be addressed.

Whether or not Obama could make much of a difference, I don't know.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Moto44

Of course, we shouldn't judge candidates by their race or gender, but it can have a bearing. For example, it is often considered unacceptable for those in the majority to discuss minority issues.

As president, Senator Obama would be in a unique position to take on the issue of race. Blacks are failing in the system at a higher rate than others. As a white man, I know that it is often not considered acceptable for me to discuss the possible reasons why and how this might best be addressed.

Whether or not Obama could make much of a difference, I don't know.

I've had a long held belief that in the it took a Democrat, in the person of Bill Clinton, to reform welfare, because a Republican would seem mean-spirited. In the same way, I figured the first African American or woman to occupy the White House, would be a Republican, as a minority candidate from the Democratic party would be seen by some voters as too closely tied to minority issues only. I'm not saying I agree with that statement in regard to Obama, just a hunch I had. We'll see, I guess.

[milehitom]

And, of course, women are not a minority. A group that has experienced lots of discrimination over the years, but not a minority. Either way the election turns out, it's about time.

Tom

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by milehitom

And, of course, women are not a minority. A group that has experienced lots of discrimination over the years, but not a minority. Either way the election turns out, it's about time.

Tom

Excellent point, Tom, excellent point.

I concur.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by milehitom

And, of course, women are not a minority. A group that has experienced lots of discrimination over the years

Good point. As a marketer, we have learned that women are largely responsible for some 80-90% of purchasing decisions. Young girls have caught up with, if not surpassed, the boys scholastically, and they are moving into positions of power in record numbers.

I don't mean to be an alarmist, but discrimination against men is already here and it's growing. We men mostly shrug this off and don't care. But, someday we might.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by Moto44

We have learned that women are largely responsible for some 80-90% of purchasing decisions.

We men used to choose the car the family drove. Present company excluded (I think), most men have relinquished this decision to their wives.

[slaughtr]

Originally Posted by Moto44

We men used to choose the car the family drove. Present company excluded (I think), most men have relinquished this decision to their wives.

That explains why they buy their husbands Hummers. So they don't have to perform them.

[Randy Chase]

I think it can still be said that relative to presidents, women are indeed a minority, even if not so in the general population.

Anyone who disagrees with me is a total idiot.

Just kidding.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Anyone who disagrees with me is a total idiot.

Don't make me ban you, mister!

[Icedog_16]

Originally Posted by Moto44

We men used to choose the car the family drove. Present company excluded (I think), most men have relinquished this decision to their wives.

Present company definitely excluded, I'd say. I only have two indulgences that no one will tell me what to do or what to get - cars and electronics - and I make that quite evident from the get-go. I'm pretty much agreeable about everything else.

But, I do agree with your assessment regarding male discrimination; it's already here. All you have to do is watch TV for any given period of time. The guy in any sit-com is typically portrayed as a complete fustercluck (usually a slob at that), while his wife is the only one who can maintain any sense or order. Same thing goes for many commercials featuring a husband and wife.

[Moto44]

Originally Posted by Icedog_16

I only have two indulgences that no one will tell me what to do or what to get

Are you still married?

[Flash G]

Interesting thread idea. Let's see if it holds!

So my first contribution is the latest polling news...

Obama has hit 50% for the first time since becoming the presumptive nominee.

Gallup Daily: Obama Hits 50% for First Time

I wonder if all of the Sarah Palin drama is hurting McCain's numbers.




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