Definitions and labels

Politics are once again upon us, and because of social media, it is hard to avoid the vitriol that is being spewed. People are throwing labels at each other back and forth like insults. For example:

·         “you liberal weakling”

·         “you conservative caveman”

These are the tame ones; and what I find most interesting is that most folks do not understand what they truly mean or sand for. You cannot separate your right brain from your left brain, these labels are part of the same coin, and you need both of them.

Conservative, according Merriam-Webster: “believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society: relating to or supporting political conservatism”

Liberal, according to Merriam-Webster: “believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change: relating to or supporting political liberalism”

Let me ask you some questions:

·         Do you think slavery was a good thing?

·         Do you appreciate the woman’s right to vote?

·         Do you believe government should interfere with who you have sex with?

·         Do you believe in each man for himself and God for us all or do you believe everyone needs a hand sometimes?”

·         Do you think the police have the right to kill citizens without cause?

·         Do you think lunatics should have guns?

·         Would you defend your family in a home invasion?

·         Do you want your 13 year old daughter dating?

·         Do you believe in the American dream?

·         Do you dislike people simply because of their skin color?

·         Do you judge people based upon appearances?

·         Do you understand what Christian values are?

I suspect most normal folks will answer along similar lines with these questions, even though some of the answers will but you in category you might not consider yourself. The truth of the matter is people spend too much time trying to label themselves and each other, that they fail to realize that no person (unless they are an extremist) all conservative, or all liberal. If that was the case, we would still have slavery women would not be able to vote, and Jim Crow would still be strong.

Nowhere in either of those labels is the term jerk written.

Jerk, according to Merriam-Webster:” a stupid person or a person who is not well-liked or who treats other people badly” (there is another term we can use but I need to be polite, but I am sure you can guess)

My point is this: in politics, is it really necessary to be so rude an uncivil to somebody because they choose a different label then you? Do you have to be a jerk? That does not sound like Christian values to me…

Dr Flavius A B Akerele III

The ETeam

Here is some light reading for you:

http://hubpages.com/politics/How-Do-Political-Labels-Define-And-Divide-Us