Writer's Block: Do (political) opposites attract?

[liliaeth]

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I can not truly respect someone who's a racist or a homophobe. I understand that everyone has a right to their opinions, but when those opinions destroy the lives of other innocent people, then I will not accept them.

I also have a serious problem with right wing parties, since the ones I know here in Belgium and from what I hear about the republican party, seem to be so utterly morally wrong, on pretty much every level. I know decent people who are republicans, and it keeps me wondering how they could live with themselves following some of those 'ideals'. Like say the selfishness of expecting everyone to just take care of themselves. Not understanding that it's shortsighted to be against official services to help the needy, because you never know when you or someone you care about, might come to need them.

And I really really don't get how anyone sane could possibly be against universal healthcare. It's something that makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Comments

[zubiemom.livejournal.com]

Opposing universal healthcare makes no sense to many of us in the US as well. Unfortunately, our legislators are bought and paid for by the for-profit healthcare industry. :-(

[liliaeth]

yeah, I guess, I'll never get why people would oppose something that will make their lives better.

[lilacsigil.livejournal.com]

how anyone sane could possibly be against universal healthcare

I do understand how older or chronically ill Americans who have struggled and scraped to find themselves barely adequate healthcare could be terrified of change, thinking that they could lose the little they have. They don't know the feeling of not being incredibly stressed about their healthcare. Those are the people who the selfish bastards in the private health industry are exploiting to make their case, but I can't blame them. If I'd had to live like that, knowing that a minor health issue could bankrupt my entire family, I'd be terrified of change, too.

[liliaeth]

Yeah, I know, I guess I just got a bill for a hospital visit I had recently, and looking at it, I couldn't help but wonder how much bigger it would have been, if my country didn't have a form of national healthcare.

Ours might not be as cheap as the British version, but unlike an American in my situation, I can actually easily afford my healthcare and go to the doctor or dentist whenever I need it without worrying too much about the cost. And I don't even have to pay thousands of euros a year just to have some insurance. (in contrary, I don't even pay a 100€ a year and I'm still better off than most Americans with a full health care insurance.)

[spilled-notes.livejournal.com]

Agreed, fully. I can respect that we all are entitled to our own opinions and beliefs, but that does not mean that I have to respect a homophobe or a racist or even someone who justifies murder with religion. (I don't know your views on that, and I won't bring up anything specifically, just my opinion.)

:) The world is kind of insane. Luckily, there are some sane and intelligent people (you and I) still left in the world. :D

[liliaeth]

Let me put it this way, I'm personally anti-abortion, and pro-choice. In effect this means I'd never have an abortion myself, but I would fight for the right of any woman to have one if she so chose.

And those idiots who murder doctors for performing abortions, are the worst kind of hypocrites imaginable.

I dislike religious fanatics of any kind, because in my mind they seem to ignore one of Gods foremost commandments:"Thou shalt not kill"

It's one thing for a soldier or a cop to kill in self defense or in defense of another. But to murder someone in the name of God, is to me, one of the greatest blasphemies imaginable.

[spilled-notes.livejournal.com]

I agree with that, too. I try to stay away from religious topics mainly because there are too many contradictions and it's just this whole mess that I don't want to get into. The same people who preach to me about accepting the Lord or I'll burn in Hell are the same people who think that it's okay to kill in the name of God. Blah.

I myself would never have an abortion either, and personally, I'm not for abortion at all but I won't throw it in your face. I respect your opinion on it. :) Of course, though, this is me and what I believe. I may be against abortion, and I don't want people to do it, but I'm not going to disrespect someone who has done it or who is considering it because it's their choice. I don't like it and I don't condone it, but I wouldn't look down upon anyone who does it or considers doing it. If that makes any sense?

:)

[90scartoonman.livejournal.com]

A lot of people who tend to vote Republican don't necessarily subscribe to every Republican idea (hopefully not some of the more extreme ones), but they do agree with Republicans, in general, more than Democrats. Which I guess sort of makes sense since the Democratic Party is far from perfect and ideal, itself.

[liliaeth]

Oh I know that, in fact I have several republicans on my friendslist whom I do respect and like a great deal.

Which is often why I find it odd that they can align themselves with a party that seems to me, to be rather amoral and to be honest, quite selfish.

Personally, I'm not a democrat either. They're too rightwing for my tastes. Me being a socialist and all.

[90scartoonman.livejournal.com]

I still think you're generalizing the party a bit too much. Some of the things they believe in do come across as amoral and selfish, but those don't (or at least, shouldn't) define what the party is.

[pendown.livejournal.com]

There are few that people can hold (I have a near absolute confidence in the human brain to screw up). But there are a few that people can act on that will cause me to despise them. And I'm afraid that the official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church contain one near the top of the list - opposition to contraception in the general case. (I don't care what you want to do in your own bedroom as long as it's safe, sane, and consensual). But start interfering in public health measures like that and I am going to consider you several steps down from the people who merely want to deny healthcare to people.