Reply #3: Having lived long enough to observe a great deal of human nature... [View All]

[texanshatingbush]

...I realize that Lord Acton's statement (Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely) is unfortunately true.

This country seems to do best when a degree of balance exists. Politics is the art of compromise.

The current crop of rePublicans thinks God is on their side and they have a moral and holy mandate to do as they are doing. Others of us would beg to disagree.

It seems to me that you have to realize that other viewpoints--to those who hold them--are as valid as your own, and seek peaceful and progressive co-existence. If one end of the spectrum prevails, we set ourselves up, ultimately, for a rending of the social fabric. AND, parties in power tend to ensure that they stay in power. Just witness the Tom DeLay-guided gerrymandering of Texas Congressional Districts, which will have an impact on who is elected in Texas for years to come. Not to mention the impact of the packing of the US Supreme Court with wingnut favorites. The social fabric of our country will be bent if not rent by wingnuts for years to come, even though they may no longer be in office.

Differing viewpoints must have voice. Even I was able to shut up my dearly-loved, but unfortunately wingnut, brother with the comment that calling something The Patriot Act doesn't leave much room for honest difference of opinion.