Do you think these two sides can coexist?
Do you see any way that is possible?
Alien invasion?
So, I live in Commiefornia right. Small mountain town, every persuasion of politics. Most of my neighbors vote blue best I can tell. They all know how I vote, and watch me put my flag up every morning, say the pledge of allegiance, and take it down every night before dark. They take the Lord's name in vain, I say "Hey I know that guy, He goes to my church", they start talking about "The Covid" and I roll my eyes, rebuke their arguments, and tell them to go hide under the bed then - all with a smile. You get my point - I'm not very passive about anything.
One of them, God bless her, told me the other day a conversation she had with her son who lives out of state. She said she was telling him "We have these awesome neighbors, and I know they voted for Trump, but they're just... GREAT PEOPLE! Like, they're NOT white supremacists, they aren't homophobes, they aren't assholes, they make us fresh bread like every week, and watch our dog, and give us rides if we need them, they host neighborhood pizza parties, like they're totally awesome, AND they watch Tucker Carslon AND voted for Trump - like, I don't get it..."
So, I think, and call me an optimist, whatever.... when you zoom out and listen to the MSM or social media rhetoric, yeah, the natural response is "FUCK THEM, ALL OF THEM, WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE!!!!!" Our neighbor proved that point - she listens to what everyone tells her to think, and by default, she thinks that. But when she gets to know us, she gets a totally different viewpoint formulated.
I'm not saying getting to know your neighbor is going to be the answer for all of this, but I don't think I'm going way out on a limb to say that we MOST Americans want a lot of the same things - our family to be safe and healthy and prosperous, a future for our kids that isn't bleak, and to go to bed at night truly believing we live in the greatest country that has ever existed. Ever.
Maybe my neighbors are pushovers, but more often than not, I can get them to at least entertain my point of view. We never end a spirited debate in a huff, or anyone butt hurt. We always reconvene the next day for the "dog party". I keep making bread and delivering it, they keep thinking I'm fucking amazing.
It takes some effort, and it can be exhausting at times. But if I can convince most of my neighbors that everything you hear about Trump voting Conservatives is not true, I'm betting a few others can too.
Can you hear Kumbaya playing in the background?
No, I can't either.
But that doesn't mean I stop trying with my neighbors.
The motherfuckers at the top pulling the strings and stoking the flames of discontent though?
Yeah, fuck them. With a concrete cactus. Or chainsaw.
Alright, flame on