In America, we love to talk about politics. We see it as the ultimate culmination of our freedoms. We get free speech, freedom to challenge the government, freedom to disagree all rolled into one adrenaline filled sport. We are brought up hearing the time honored phrases, "give me liberty or give me death, the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
We take so personally this sacred duty that we often personalize the issues and ideals that we are debating. "I disagree with the war," becomes "I disagree with your value system and who you are at your very core." "I think we need a stronger educational system to keep our children from falling behind in the global economy," becomes "I don't think you know how to raise your own children and I can do it better."
Talking about politics and issues and ideas IS our sacred duty. Those who ask what the point of talking about it is have too long watched the red-faced rancorous arguing of the political junkie. The very foundation of this country is not religious freedom, it isn't our brilliant system of checks and balances, it is not our capitalist economy. It is our free market of ideas. The ability to talk and reason through issues is what led to all of our other freedoms and what protects them.
Talk. Discuss. Don't get angry, get verbose.
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