It seems to me that people have gotten more vituperative and just plain nasty in discussing politics. For one thing “hating” a political candidate came into style. Years ago, I had been on duty as a poll worker when my counterpart leaned towards me and asked in great confidence, “Who do you really hate?” Sanctimoniously I replied, “I don’t hate anyone.” “Oh,” she said and backed off.
Another person who was looking for a political fight with me defended her “hating” a certain candidate by saying that she was “passionate” about her points of view. Passion is fine when it culminates in love, but not so much when it leads to hatred. Witness your standard loving Muslims versus the terrorists who have corrupted the religion into something justifying hatred.
At church the word “hate” was once used to inspire good works. The speaker told congregants to think of something they really hate, and from it deduce (by opposing it) what cause they should take up in life. This would mean that I should spend my life cleaning up other people’s litter, because I really dislike litter. I’m not crazy about war, hunger, or poverty either but these things seem more remote to me and I haven’t yet started any wars and I do give to the poor. You don’t need to save the world, but it’s nice to hold out a helping hand to those around you.
When I was growing up, people seemed better able to politely respect each other’s political points of view. It was an act of kindness, a refusal to form a judgmental opinion about someone else’s thought process. Nowadays, political disagreement too often leads to barely concealed attitudes of contempt. Sometimes I’ve wondered why opponents don’t seem to remember the very basic moral imperative of “Love thy neighbor.”
The politician is your neighbor. You don’t have to vote for him, but you shouldn’t “hate” him either. All candidates are, like us, flawed human beings. Your job isn’t either to excoriate or excuse his/her weaknesses. Your job is simply to balance his or her character, attitudes, positions, and general approach to life; and to make an assessment as to whether he/she would do a good job with managing the public interest.
Each of us brings a different background of experience, education, attitude, degree of interest, and point of view to this decision making. And in our vote we are making a guess about the future. Will this policy or that work better for the country? Will this candidate or that have his/her priorities in what I think are the proper order? Will decision making be done in a timely, informed, and responsible way?
Blessings upon the candidates and the voters, whether I agree with them or not.