What's the most hypocritical phrase that is carelessly hurled around during an election year? "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion." It's so often said, but what people often actually mean people is "you are entitled to your wrong opinion." I cannot understand why the existence of opinion is so difficult for people to grasp. The simple fact that two major political parties exist should be a sufficient reason for people to jump off of their Clydesdales and accept that there will never be a complete consensus on the correct way to run this country.
Those who stand on the far right may think that the far left is nothing but weak, socialist, everyone-gets-a-participation-trophy-believing fools. Those on the far left think that the far right is only coldhearted, greedy, racist bigots who have no sense of humanity. Choosing to agree or disagree with people on either side is called "having an opinion." I know, it sounds like crazy talk.
We have allowed our conversations and social media interactions to become plagued by close-mindedness, inevitably ugly, and immature arguments all for the sake of trying to make someone feel stupid for their personal opinion. For what reason? All I have seen is people gaining a false sense of superior intelligence because they came up with something more detrimental to add to a conversation. We have forgotten how to have intelligent, open-minded, respectful debates with our peers, and it is inhibiting our opportunity to learn. These conversations are an opportunity to better understand why people have their opinion, and gain intelligence on the discussed issue. Nobody will be convinced to change their opinion by someone who treats them like an imbecile. Whether someone is convinced to change their opinion or not, the outcome should be respected and any feelings of animosity should be let go. That's the beauty of opinions.
Last week I saw a fellow writer from my school get ridiculed by complete strangers because explained why she would vote for Donald Trump. I will never understand people's burning desire to disrespectfully force-feed their opinions to others, because it doesn't do anything but create more feelings of animosity. I don't want to talked to like I'm a moron for my views, and I refuse to do that to anyone.
When I say, "I don't care whom you vote for," I am not saying that I'm opposed to discussions about personal beliefs, nor am I implying that the election's outcome doesn't matter to me. I'm saying that I will not think less of anyone for exercising their right to vote for whomever they think should lead. I want to engage in honest conversations about beliefs. I want to understand people instead of shun them for their opinions, and I will not be bitter if what I have to say doesn't change their mind.
I think there would be less detrimental conflict if more people understood this. The only ballot that I have total control over is my own, and that's why my bottom line is that I don't care whom you vote for.
