You say, "Everything is political, and when politics hurts real people, we can’t simply dismiss it in the name of “staying out of politics.”"
But politics always hurts real people. Everything done by the government is done through the threat of physical harm and/or imprisonment. Discussing politics is just discussing who deserves it and who doesn't. It's certainly an important discussion to have. But not everything is political. It's the people trying to make everything political that really scare the crap out of me.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." -- C.S. Lewis
I agree with your point about those who try to make everything political. In fact, that is precisely the point I am trying to convey when I say "everything is political."
I consistently try to focus on issues of basic human decency, how we treat others, etc. and people always tell me I'm being too political. Yes, "they" have made it political, and it shouldn't be, but that doesn't change the fact that because some people interpret everything through a partisan political lens, it becomes impossible to have a conversation that is not interpreted as political. That is indeed dangerous, but it is also our reality.
As far as the "hurt", yes, politics does hurt real people, but I'm personally in the camp that doesn't believe anyone "deserves" to be harmed. Legitimate consequences and justice, yes... Personal harm and dehumanization... no excuse.
I think we may not be as far apart on this as it seems.
Yeah, I misunderstood where you were coming from regarding "everything is political."
But "legit consequences and justice" is what I meant by "deserves." That's precisely what everyone's arguing about. Some argue in better faith than others, but no one's out there like "I'm on team illegitimate consequences and injustice!!!" I'm so tired of folks in either party acting like their party has a monopoly on righteousness and good intentions. For most people, it's all just sincere disagreement mixed with needing to choose lesser evils.
It's horrifying, and that comes across with gut-wrenching intensity in your poem. Well done. Is it ok to share the poem-poster elsewhere with your name and link-back to this post?
Well written!
Thanks Roxanne. This was a tough one.
You say, "Everything is political, and when politics hurts real people, we can’t simply dismiss it in the name of “staying out of politics.”"
But politics always hurts real people. Everything done by the government is done through the threat of physical harm and/or imprisonment. Discussing politics is just discussing who deserves it and who doesn't. It's certainly an important discussion to have. But not everything is political. It's the people trying to make everything political that really scare the crap out of me.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." -- C.S. Lewis
I agree with your point about those who try to make everything political. In fact, that is precisely the point I am trying to convey when I say "everything is political."
I consistently try to focus on issues of basic human decency, how we treat others, etc. and people always tell me I'm being too political. Yes, "they" have made it political, and it shouldn't be, but that doesn't change the fact that because some people interpret everything through a partisan political lens, it becomes impossible to have a conversation that is not interpreted as political. That is indeed dangerous, but it is also our reality.
As far as the "hurt", yes, politics does hurt real people, but I'm personally in the camp that doesn't believe anyone "deserves" to be harmed. Legitimate consequences and justice, yes... Personal harm and dehumanization... no excuse.
I think we may not be as far apart on this as it seems.
Yeah, I misunderstood where you were coming from regarding "everything is political."
But "legit consequences and justice" is what I meant by "deserves." That's precisely what everyone's arguing about. Some argue in better faith than others, but no one's out there like "I'm on team illegitimate consequences and injustice!!!" I'm so tired of folks in either party acting like their party has a monopoly on righteousness and good intentions. For most people, it's all just sincere disagreement mixed with needing to choose lesser evils.
It's horrifying, and that comes across with gut-wrenching intensity in your poem. Well done. Is it ok to share the poem-poster elsewhere with your name and link-back to this post?
Absolutely. Feel free to share, Liz. Thanks
Done. Thank you. https://exploringcolour.wordpress.com/2025/06/18/gaslighting/
Thanks for sharing