A meme I shared sums up my inner dialog and disposition very nicely.
It's a quiet morning, and I don't write very often, so I thought I'd share some thoughts.
I don't write very often because I determined a very long time ago that the opportunity cost of writing more often is less non political thoughts coursing though my brain. Or in other words, I have enough politics in my life, and to write more often would crowd out what is non political in the pursuit of more content to share an opinion on.
We all look for signs in life to validate, reward, or indicate that the path we have chosen is the correct path to be on, for me the reality of Donald Trump posing as a conservative Republican is the clearest sign I've ever received in politics that I am on the right side.
I don't think of myself as a prophet crying out in the wilderness, nor do I fancy myself an original thinker, but I do know I put the time in, the hard work, and the willingness to expose myself to all points of view on the political spectrum.
In real life my disposition toward this era, beyond what the simple meme conveys is that elections have consequences, but also peoples choices have consequences.
Through common courtesy, and acceptance of random influences, I've made much effort to follow through on suggestions to better inform my world view. More often have I invested this time and effort with opinions and views that I initially don't agree with -- that's how to learn, in my opinion.
In the process I learned and understood friends and strangers better.
At the same time, I've suggested many, many times sources of information to people, for the same reason -- to better inform.
Let me be frank. While I come to understand that most people don't think like me, I do however weigh future investments of my time against the past performance of the effort I know that my conversationalist puts in to being informed.
Or in other words, I judge the use of my time debating or conversing with someone who doesn't share my value of education on political matters as sub optimal.
One clear indicator of that disposition toward education is whether or not they read what I offer.
Its not that hard to read an article, and it doesn't take hours. Conversely, T.V. programs and radio shows consume a lot of time.
When I bond with people over politics anymore, its more to do with acknowledging a shared commitment to ascertaining the truth of matters, than it is tribal.
If the loyalty to a tribe is evidently placed above a commitment to better understanding, that's where I'm walking away.