Snuffy

Danielito
2017-02-01 22:56:06 (UTC)

Politics

I know I'm getting older because I suddenly care about what happens in this country. Donald Trump is our new president and at first my mind was blown but after a few weeks I'm starting to understand why people voted for him. I'm not gonna get into details here because BORING, but following all of this political crap has really stirred me up. My liberal friends are outraged and I agree with a lot of what they're saying, my conservative friends make some good points but I'm turned off by their complete lack of compassion toward minorities, LGBTQ's, refugees, and immigrants. I hate the mentality that we need to take care of "our own." Like American lives are more precious than other lives. People talk like they had something to do with being born here. That irritates the hell out of me--the baseless pride in some imaginary accomplishment that made them American. "But people died for our freedom!" as if we're the only country that had to fight for its freedom, and as if we're the only free country in the world. And even if we were, what did you do to receive that? Nothing. You were lucky enough to have been born here instead of Syria.

But it makes sense that a lot of Americans lack compassion for those less fortunate than themselves because they've never had to be a minority or a refugee or an immigrant. It's hard to empathize when you've never been in those shoes. It's still frustrating to see how heartless conservatives can be. Though they may make sense at times, I'm completely turned off by their arrogance.

And liberals can also be annoying by blowing things out of proportion. I don't agree with a lot of things they stand for, one of them being that the government should level the playing field for everyone so life is good and fair for everyone. It's a pipe dream. I love the sound of it too but it's a pipe dream. I think government programs can be helpful for social issues but I'm not convinced it needs to take over healthcare and education. I think the competition that capitalism fosters is very important to our economy. I've seen other countries' economies screech to a halt after the government got their hands into too many industries, eliminating competition and innovation.

Anyway, I sound like a conservative but I swing pretty hard left on most things.

The other night I was so upset about how hateful and intolerant everyone on Facebook was behaving. I wanted to pray for peace, and though I didn't physically kneel down to pray, I did pray in my heart. I don't know what I prayed for exactly. I just wanted people to be kinder. To show brotherly kindness. For people to show common decency toward the needy. The world is an ugly place and I was feeling the weight of it.

I wish I could spend more time researching things so that I could better know what's going on in the world. I actually want to be well informed. But you really have to devote yourself to that kind of research. The people I know who seem to know what they're talking about, are constantly reading news stories, watching news stations, getting news updates on their phones, and reading about the latest developments, domestic and global. It would destroy me to fill my life up with all that stuff. I'm currently just dipping my toes in the water and I'm in turmoil. I'm not sure that's the way I want to live my life. I know people who have resolved to disconnecting from all of it and focus on themselves and their families, the things they love to do, and making a difference in the lives of the people around them. It makes total sense because they're focusing on things they can actually have a direct impact on, and their focus is being happy. But I feel guilty enjoying my plush little life while there is so much injustice in the world. I feel like I SHOULD pay attention and do whatever silly thing I can to make a difference, even if it's minute and potentially insignificant.

The other day, when I was upset, I wanted to quit my job and just go do humanitarian aid somewhere. I didn't want to be a part of the population that sits on their couches in their warm homes with their safe families and using their $700 phones to share articles on Facebook and feeling like they're making a difference.

I feel so trapped in my situation of having to provide for my daughter and being there for her. Sounds terrible but I do feel that way. It's not that I don't want to be a good dad, but I also see so much need in the world and I want to go help. Maybe when London is older.




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