My nails are bitten to the quick as I wait for the election season to end. Not necessarily because I'm anxious over the outcome (although I am), but because politics can bring out the worst in people. I dislike how politics can be so polarizing. I have strong political beliefs, but when it comes down to it, what I want for my friends is for them to support someone and to be able to say why they support that someone--without attacking the other candidate. Do I like it when people have the same political views as me? Well, sure! Who doesn't like similarities? But do I hate or disrespect someone who doesn't have the same political views as me? Absolutely not. As I said, so long as they can intelligently support themselves, I'm happy. I understand that there are times when a political discussion may get heated, and I'm okay with that, too. Within reason, though, as we recently established a no politics rule with Shane's parents because the heated discussions were ruining peaceful family time.
As I'm typing this, I am hoping that it doesn't cause anyone to stop reading my blog. I support Obama. And if you support McCain, I still love you and your blog, PROMISE! I live in a very small, conservative town. We have an Obama sign in our front yard, and I can tell you quite honestly, that we are the only people in this town with an Obama sign. My husband and I joke about how after we put our sign up, suddenly 20 McCain signs popped up in the streets surrounding ours. And that's okay. I'm glad to see that our neighbors take interest in politics, as well, because in past elections, we've been the only ones with a yard sign! We also joked about how long the sign would stay in our yard before someone stole it, but deep down, we were both hoping that nothing would happen to it.
Over the past week, I've noticed the sign is bent toward the grass when I return home. Every night, I straighten it up, and I assumed the wind was blowing it over, although I did mention to Shane that it was interesting how the sign for a local congressman was always straight. Until yesterday morning, when Luke and I were playing in the living room. The school bus stop is located at the end of our driveway, so the kids usually run through our yard and play in the mornings. Usually, Shane and I are both gone, but I've noticed this in the past when I've been home for various reasons. As we were sitting there, I heard a little voice scream, "I HATE OBAMA!!" I thought, No way. Surely I heard that wrong... but as I looked out the window, I saw a sweet little girl in a puffy pink coat screaming this as she ran across our yard and repeatedly jumped up and down on our sign. And whether it's a sign supporting Obama, McCain, or the Man on the Moon, I would hope a child wouldn't be driven to destroy it.
Destruction of my property aside, this sight turned my stomach. Do I care that this girl's parents obviously do not support the same political candidate? No, I don't. But what I do care about is that this girl's parents are saying things in front of her that would make her so crazed to say these words and carry out these actions. I am hoping beyond all hopes that her parents don't know what she's doing to our sign every morning, but I wish they knew the power of their words. Growing up, my parents had strong political views, and I certainly knew them. But I never knew of any wrong words toward the opposing party, at least not as a child. Did she mean her words? Oh, I'm sure she didn't, but should a little girl say she hates someone, someone she's never met? And please know that I realize this type of hatred isn't just limited to one political party, I would be hurt just as much to see a child screaming "I HATE MCCAIN!"
I was taught a lesson as a parent. Children are sponges. You can teach them to read and ride a bike, and you can also teach them to hate. And when I woke up this morning, our Obama sign had been stolen from our front yard. So much for freedom of speech.
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16 comments:
You should use window paint and make a huge OBAMA sign on your front window. Stealing of signs is just intolerable. Wouldn't be surprised if it was the girl's parents, as sad as that sounds. I am exactly with you--even if you disagree with someone's viewpoints, you should still respect it and THEM. Just makes me sick.
Funny I should read this today--on the Today show, there was a feature on a teacher using the election in her 2nd grade classroom, and two "experts" talking about how this election is the perfect time to show children how to support something and be respectful of the opposite viewpoint, etc....
Maybe they'll replay the segment on the evening news. Sounds like a lot of parents need a little tutorial on how to conduct themselves...
Shane is thinking of making a sign that says, "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." It's true, too. I don't care if every single house in this neighborhood puts up a McCain sign (and it's close to that now ;p), it's their right... just like it's my right to have an Obama sign.
And yeah, I'm not going to go storming down the street to this house, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the parents. Interestingly enough, we connected which house it is and realized that two weeks ago, when we first put the sign up, we waved at the dad, and he just turned away from us. Sad!
Interesting point, Michelle! You are exactly right that this is the time to teach children not only tolerance, but how to stand up for what they believe in while still being respectful.
It's very interesting indeed! I know personally, Junior is rooting for Obama... but it's more like seeing him on television in a commercial and he says "Yay, Mom! Obama!" And while I've had very heated debates about Obama vs. McCain with many people in my own house, I always keep it respectful, FACTUAL, and agree to disagree... the fact that someone would emulate such an action in order that their child picks up on such hatred is absolutely horrid to me.
Politics are awful with me in this region. We have so many uneducated voters, voters who think that they are Republican but when you get right down to it support Democratic ideas, and people who just vote based on the "cool" thing to do. It's nuts to be part of one of the only counties though that actually does vote Democrat and I do love that this is actually a chance that this state might vote blue this year!
Hi,
Firstly, don't feel bad about the signs over-rulling yours. As a volunteer for the Obama campaign (who spends way too much time doing stuff for them) I can safely say that there were studies commissioned that said lawn signs and bumper stickers are only for supporting a particular candidate and don't make any difference to anyone else.
The things that change peoples minds (In order)
1. People like you, talking to your friends and family about it.
2. People like you going to door to door canvassing.
3. The debates.
I appreciate your support as an Obama supporter and if you would like to get involved AT ALL in the campaign over the next week, we could use your help...
Phone banking, canvassing...whatever.
Just contact me if you're interested in helping in any way/shape or form. If you need more info about certain aspects of Obama, I can help.
Your state may not go red. Even states like Georgia and Louisiana are showing movement towards Obama right now.
Oh, and I talked about the studies because the Mccain campaign has ignored those studies and spent too much money on signs.
I definitely don't feel bad about being overpowered by the McCain signs, as I know that we're not going to influence anyone--but I definitely like to show support for what I believe in.
I do make phone calls!:)
What state do you live in? I can try to give you good information to bring your hopes up about that state!
Indiana-- we've been red for 40 years.:)
Not this time.
The 3 week polling average has Obama gaining in Indiana every week and of this week he is finally ahead in the polls.
He's going to win there, breaking your red streak.
:)
I think this goes without saying...but I completely agree with you as much as a person can possibly agree with another.
I'm just ready for the election year to be over with. UGH.
Yikes...that is awful!
Well sheesh, the thought of McCain/Palin winning the election seriously wants to make me hit the bottle, but even I would never allow my kids to run around saying they "hated" anyone. Hate is a forbidden word in our house.
Sad. Our kids know our politics (and admittedly they are receiving decidedly biased information in that WE are biased) but when I tell my kids why we're Democrats and for Obama, I give REASONS, not that I hate the other side.
This is very disturbing. I, too, just happened to see the Today Show segment discussing respect for opposing viewpoints... especially during such a passionate election season. I think it is wonderful that our entire country seems so involved in this election... but we cannot lose sight of the democratic process, and that involves freedom of speech. The destruction/theft of your yard sign is clearly the crossing of a dangerous line. It certainly is a very big wake-up call to parents and how parents' discussions and opinions may slant a child's respect for differences. The saddest part for me is to think that when the election is over... as always... the candidates themselves go on with their lives better than the people who so passionately represented them. Very poignant post...
I agree that it is intolerable for people to teach their children to hate -whether it be in politics or anything else. It is sad we live in a world where people can't respect each others opinions without being polarizing. Some of my best bloggy friends are conservatives. Okay, not really but 1. LOL
One of my students (1st grader) said to me a few days ago, "I'm not voting for Obama because he's one of the people who crashed the planes."
My heart feels sick for what sort of garbage she is hearing at home.
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