So with all the fun talk about the fiscal cliff, gun regulations, gay marriage, higher taxes, house values, etc… been a tense year.
I am a liberal and conservative both… I believe in government but with restrain. So, I believe in gun regulations but not a complete ban (please don’t pepper me with insults or threats), I believe civil union is a fiscal status and marriage is a religious one so I think civil unions should be allowed for anyone committing to another person and marriage in a church will be decided by that church/religion, higher taxes suck but we need to get out of the mess wall street got is in and since no one wants to hold them and the large companies accountable (job creators!) I guess it falls to us… the little people, house values are finally starting to level off and get (somewhat) better and finally the horrible climate to which our politicians are communicating…. polarizing.
Remember when we could express freely our views and opinions and not be threaten, blackmailed, bullied into submission or dismissed altogether? Remember when views and opinions were just that and not presented as fact? Remember when you were told to be scared of something, and it was o.k. to question why? Remember when you could have conversations with others that may not agree with you but you at least respected their position no matter how much the opposite it was from yours – and you listened to TRY to understand… not agree but understand?
It is so hard to try to teach my girls about tolerance, the art of conversation, how to debate, politeness, selflessness and just to be a nice preschooler when the adults in their atmosphere aren’t capable of any of it.
I find myself nervous to broach certain topics with my friends and family, for fear of the aggressive climate we are in and may not be heard. Instead of risking a full out fight, which could lead to some not nice words, actions and sometimes threatening behavior. I feel it is more important to have conversations with my immediate family (husband & little ones) about what our thoughts, knowledge and feelings are about different subjects and build off that. I know I should show my girls that you need to be strong in your convictions and not shrink away from others and I do when I need to stand up for anyone that needs it (family, friends, causes, etc) but honestly….. I am exhausted. I feel like everyone likes to express every fucking thought that comes to their mind and broadcast via twitter, facebook, google+ etc….. I have deleted my twitter account & google and FB is now only giving me updates on folks I want to keep up with… I have removed that severely threatening and sometimes over the top aggressive notifications that actually make my blood pressure boil. They have every right to express themselves but I have every right to not have to be subjected by it. Also, we as a family are going to UNPLUG every Sunday (no email, cell, games, text, social media, etc) just plain old land line, playing, books and TV. And Thursday evenings as well.
Now I know this seems like I am being pretty hypocritical since I have a blog and all but I am not forcing anyone to read it or throwing up my demeaning words onto everyone else…. you can choose to read this or not.
So, for this new year my only hope (resolution) is to be kinder, nicer and more tolerant and also to be more fiscal minded (hubby will be happy) and to try to pass these ethics/values/morals onto our girls. I want them to grow up to be strong, smart, opinionated but excellent communicators & listeners, funny and polite members of the community.
That was exhausting. I think I am done now – please be gentle with me if you choose to comment.
