My four political positions
Lately you may have noticed that I’ve been somewhat vocal over on my Twitterstream regarding question #1 on next month’s Maine ballot. I understand that many people are turned off when people express their political views online, and frankly, I feel it often hurts more than it helps. On certain issues, though, I feel that it is important to speak about my beliefs in an effort to educate others why I believe in a particular cause.
I’ve found that I fall into one of four categories for almost every political topic.
- I don’t know enough information about the topic to make an informed decision.
- I don’t care about a topic enough to have an opinion either way.
- I have an opinion about a topic, but I can understand the opposition.
- I have an opinion about a topic, but I don’t understand why anyone could have a reasonable argument for support of the other side.
The first two positions are pretty self-explanatory. The healthcare debate is a great example of the first: the issues just seem to complex for me, and I feel it’s better left to those who know more about the topic. The second actually covers most legislation and, unfortunately, most local elections. (I’ve always wanted to do something about that.)
The last two options are a bit more complicated. Personally I like to think that I’m more politically tolerant of differing viewpoints than most people; sure, I have my own opinions about how things should be done, but I understand that not everyone will agree. Questions 3, 4, and 5 on this year’s ballot fit nicely into this category.
Question 1 falls into the final category. In short I haven’t heard a logical justification to support those who believe this law should not be in place. I’m still looking for someone to explain the other side to me in rational terms. (To his credit, gubernatorial candidate Matt Jacobson came close in an interview with Pine Tree Politics but ended up falling flat.)
I guess I’m vocal about political issues when I have trouble understanding why anyone could oppose the views I hold on an issue. If politics isn’t your cup of tea (or can of Moxie, in this case), sit tight. We’ll be back to regular programming soon.
Comments
The things that bother me the mostly are the ads. If you only listen to the ads you have no idea what the real truths are. The ads are trying to scare people into further dividing us as a community. We have children out there that have all ready been adopted that are technically being raised by single parents when indeed they are in a grounded, two person safe household. Is it better to leave these kids in foster care or in dangerous households rather than to allow the non-traditional marriage to occur where they can live in safety and love in practice as well as in law? I dont see the benefit of anyone driving wedges between individuals or groups just because they are “different than me.”
I would offer you an alternative view of question one if you want sometime, in person.
When condition 4 happens among two rational people, there usually is a large world-view conflict. Take for example, two people looking at a rock. One insists that the rock is blue, the other that the rock is red. Neither can see the other’s point of view, and thinks the other is insane. Though one of them is wearing red tinted sunglasses and the other blue tinted sunglasses. In this explain, the glasses are one’s world-view and the rock is a political issue.
One’s world-view can heavily influence how data is interrupted on some issues, and some world views are incompatible on some issues, such as the Islam-Jewish land conflict.
Glad to see your focus on Maine issues and these important ballot questions.
As a candidate for Governor, I outline my positions on Question 1:
Is Maine being used in the same sex marriage debate?
http://www.maineville.com/detail/123120.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=2&sub_type=blogs&town_id=&page=2
Thank you very much.