Ok, so daily I get to see bumper stickers, e-mails, TV shows, news reports all showing me what people want to sell me.. usually their opinions. The part I hate the most is having to see everyone’s opinions. I can understand that people need to educate others about their viewpoints if they feel strongly. The whole “team spirit” annoys me though.. lets put on bumper stickers that all say “we’re for X” without explaining WHY.. what makes it better than the alternative? Why do real men love Jesus? Why should I vote for Bush? What the heck is on Prop 10 anyway? Meanwhile, the minute that I decide to post my bumper sticker or raise my opinion in response, I can be assured that someone will immediately jump down my throat for forcing my beliefs on them or for being “wrong” even if it’s not a “right or wrong” issue. There are a few bumper stickers that I can tolerate because I can convince myself they are there for “good” reasons.. like the American Flag bumper sticker or window sticker. I like to convince myself that they posted it because they value their freedoms, they support their neighbor, they have travelled the 50 states and have found the wonderful nature that the US has to offer. I usually try not to think that they just want to make a statement about the military, that they like supporting child labor by shopping certain stores since we have the “freedom” to do it or that they throw their cigarette butts out the window just because it feels “American” to do whatever they want regardless of the consequenses. People need to think before they speak/post/put their bumper sticker on..
While I’m on a rant about opinions.. the whole political party thing needs to be dealt with. I consider myself a Republican.. I believe in holding on to the money I earn, not supporting everyone else around me unless it’s MY choice. I feel that rules need to be strict sometimes because there just are that many morons out there who would abuse everyone else if the rules weren’t in place. I don’t actually conform to the Republican party’s way of thinking.. even though I still “group” myself with them.. I don’t feel as they do about abortion, same sex marrige and various other items. ..of course, there’s no shortage of people who would love to blame me for Bush and his mistakes.. although he’s not my 1st choice.
..and while I’m ranting.. (wow, lets roll!).. what about all the people who can’t see the good in having both sides represented? Do they really think if everything just went their way that they’d be happy? Where’s the growth potential in that? Who’s going to represent the other people’s interests? Take Microsoft as an example of this one.. A LOT of people hate Microsoft.. they used to make really crappy software (yes, their mail client seems to be virus friendly still, however in reality I like XP).. they’re getting sued left and right because of anti-trust issues, they’ve definately done their share of “bad” things.. but they also were responsible for helping get a LOT of PCs into the hands of families. Microsoft is also responsible for a LOT of software development and office productivity advances. Sure, they look out for their own interests.. but they also have done good for the industry. Anyway, people who look at only one side of an issue also annoy me these days.. people need to be more tolerant and take the time to consider both sides of the issue. Life is not a debate you must win, you’ll find you get a lot more respect if you can agree that something is a stalemate, that both views are valid.
You get the picture.. it’s past midnight and I think I’m done writing for tonight.
..comments (opinions?!) are welcome 
..hehehe
*mumble ramble* …impracticality of putting whole theories onto bumper stickers or cramming them into short conversations-in-passing….*yawn*….to you having someone jump down your throat may be what another person considers inviting debate….*skritch grumble* …Republicans are about less rules, strict or otherwise (unless of course they are rules taking away the rights of women, racial minorities and homosexuals (or was that too much opinion?) You are more a libertarian than a republican….*doze* *startle*…where was I? Oh yeah, you can’t want people to hear both sides but then not want to argue with them…
Good night, sweetie. I love you, you know.
April 10th, 2004, at 3:08 am #Unmatched “(”. Sleep.
April 10th, 2004, at 3:09 am #Regarding whole ideas on bumper stickers.. that’s my whole objection with them. Take your collection.. you have some funny ones, you have the Packers one which is just an obvious “show of support” for the team and such.. but you don’t have any that are just a statement on a complex subject that can’t be explained on a bumper sticker (at least not that I can remember).
I don’t mind the arguement/debate. My comment was in response to if I put up the same unexplained bumpersticker (or other “flag waving”) and expected someone to understand my views. To choose one of your favorite topics.. when I see the “Real men love Jesus” bumper sticker I want to hold one up back that says “Real men are responsible adults who treat their family with respect and help to be a contributing member of their house.”.. I don’t mind discussing things, just as long as whoever I’m discussing things with is open to see my ideas (and me open to see theirs).. and that there can be a real “discussion” not a sticker or sign that says “this is my idea!” without the ability to discuss it.. it’s the same reason I don’t have bumper stickers of that style.. The windows stickers I have just show that I support the SD zoo and like Strongbad (for those other drivers who know who/what he is).. and now thanks to Sony people think I’ve never gotten to 3rd base
April 10th, 2004, at 11:19 am #