Why?

Why, why can’t we disagree and still discuss issues?

We’re not allowed to have nuance and degrees of opinion anymore. Apparently, it’s all or nothing in America, and anyone who tacks to a different course is a freak or a pussy who can’t make a decision or take a stand. I’m not sure when we stopped talking to each other and started lecturing.

Before one of you starts telling me “But Josh, it’s always been this way” I’m gonna do a Kanye and interrupt you, but unlike Mr. West, I’m not gonna let you speak after I’m done.

I know it wasn’t always like this.

Yes, there have always been ignorant assholes who would never listen and were convinced until they were cold in the ground feeding the worms, that they were always right. But for every one of those people, there were five others who were willing to discuss things and consider other points of view. For the love of logic, people would actually change their minds and not be ostracized for it. It happened for fucks sake—I was there. If the rise of Senator Bernie Sanders has shown me anything, it’s that some people are still able to see through the talking points and obfuscating bullshit and get to the core issues.

Where do people like me fit in today?

I’m a feminist and believe in equal rights for all, but I’m a white male. I’m pro 2nd amendment, but I feel there need to be reasonable gun laws. I’m a member of the LGBTQ community, but I support bigoted assholes rights to be bigoted assholes. I’m an agnostic atheist, but I don’t think people with faith are morons. Although I lump hate filled religious people in the stupid asshole camp. I believe marijuana should be treated just like alcohol and that all drugs should be decriminalized. I believe in freedom of speech, but I believe money does NOT equal speech. I believe in freedom of religion, and I believe religion has NO PLACE in secular government. I believe we should grant amnesty to all undocumented immigrants in the United States after a background check, but I also believe border security, and enforcement is important. I believe in law and justice, but I believe the police must be reigned in. I believe the government of the United States is under the thumb of the rich and the special interests, and we need real change, but I don’t believe in violent change. I believe healthcare, education, and a basic level of living are HUMAN RIGHTS, and the responsibility of society to its members.

I’m sure many people disagree with these points of view and just as many agree. Damnit this is a GOOD THING. We need to talk. We need to kick the proverbial ball around. There needs to be chaos and disagreement, but in the end we need to listen.

That’s what we need more than anything else—we need to listen.

– Josh