Enough Already: My Pledge

I tried something like this before, but it was apparently too long or whatever, so no one read it and no one cared, and things seem just as bad as they ever were.  So here I am to try again.

The amount of bickering on this site has gotten ridiculous to the point where supporters of both candidates spew so much venom that they not only hurt the candidate and their general election chances, but are also extremely insulting to the SUPPORTERS of those candidates, further decreasing the chances for electoral victory come November.  So, I'd like to make a pledge in an effort to calm this place down a bit, and I hope you'll support it as well.

First, some premises:

1) No candidate is perfect.  Even if you think you're 100% in line with their positions, they will disappoint you at one time or another.

2) Neither Obama nor Clinton are "squeaky clean".  It's unfortunate, but probably at least partially accurate to say that they wouldn't be where they are now if they were.  No, I'm not suggesting that either candidate did anything illegal, but they both have engaged in things that are probably not of the highest moral fabric.

3) There are lots of supporters from BOTH camps who support their candidates for potentially stupid reasons.  Whether it's a woman who votes for Hillary simply because she's a woman, or an African American who votes for Obama simply because he's black, or any number of other stupid, selfish, racist, sexist, ageist, or whatever reasons people may have, they still have it.

4) There are lots of supporters from BOTH camps who support their candidates for possibly even stupider reasons than probably you or I could even imagine, which were not included in the previous point and which may amount to not much of a reason at all.  Even so, it's a reason to THEM, and they're a citizen 18 or over, and, under our current laws, have a right to vote.

5) While there are policy differences between candidates, they are fairly similar and, in the end, vastly better than any Republican candidate, particularly in picking Supreme Court justices (a HUGE issue considering the more liberal bloc on the court is aging and appointments are for life).

Ok, still with me?  If so, with that in mind, here's my pledge:

1) I will support whoever the nominee is from the Democratic party (assuming there are, of course, no crazy changes and it ends up being someone like Lieberman or the like, in which case I'd really have to think about it again).

2) I will not focus my attacks on the SUPPORTERS of the Democratic candidates.  I will not collectively insult their ability to make decisions or process information.  I will engage people on the merits or demerits of the candidates and their policies, and not assume that the candidate's supporters don't have minds of their own.  Agree or disagree, they have their reasons for supporting their candidate, and I have mine.  

3) I will not gloat if my candidate wins the nomination, no matter the circumstances.

4) If my non-preferred candidate wins the nomination but loses the general election, I will not say "I told you so" to the supporters of the general election loser, as, barring the invention of a time machine, there is really no way to know how the other candidate would have fared in the same election.

That's all I can think of for now.  Will you support this pledge?



Display:


I appreciate what you're trying to do (none / 0)

But I think this kind of stuff just goes along with this kind of site during a political campaign.  I've learned to tune out the most negative stuff most of the time.

And remember, some of the most negative stuff is surely posted by trolls just messing with us (Whether we're for Obama or for Clinton) for sick kicks, or more nefarious reasons.


Nobody's right if everybody's wrong --Stephen Stills "For What It's Worth"
by vj on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 08:35:03 PM EST

I respect you and appreciate your words (none / 0)

of unity.  Unfortunately, these words (not from you but from others) may be too late for me.  Obama supporters saying they would support Hillary now means nothing to me because they have very little chance of having to act on that committment.


by lombard on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 08:41:34 PM EST

Re: I respect you and appreciate your words (none / 0)

I'm not sure what you're saying here.  You're saying, it's already too late for you to support Obama?  Or it's too late for you to support Hillary because she won't be the nominee?


by leshrac55 on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 08:55:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Enough Already: My Pledge (none / 0)

Maybe neither of them should be the nominee! Draft Gore! Change plus Experience :)


by rossinatl on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 09:07:02 PM EST

It's the only fair thing (none / 0)

Then everyone will be pissed off!


Nobody's right if everybody's wrong --Stephen Stills "For What It's Worth"
by vj on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 09:09:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Enough Already: My Pledge (none / 0)

Hear Hear!

Take, for example, that "Hypocrisy of Hype" diary thread.  That was the most infantile, irrational, and completely devoid of fact and logic thread I've read since that day long ago when I once dared to set eyeballs upon Free Republic.  The only reason I continued to finish reading it was so that I could make the decision as to whether I should even waste my time coming to this website anymore.

Everybody take a deep breath.  If you feel your temples pulsing or your jaw clenching as you're typing a response to that BHO or HRC supporter's comment - stop - turn the monitor off - and go for a walk.


by goodnbad on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 09:32:24 PM EST

Re: Enough Already: My Pledge (none / 0)

I only hope that this party can hold itself from ripping apart from the seams.  We must remember that in the end, BOTH of these candidates are strong, and both are almost exactly the same ideologically. It is only minor differences.


by SocialDem on Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 10:06:33 PM EST


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