Publisher’s Points to Ponder: Let’s Talk Politics

One of my favorite lines is “What you talkin’ ’bout, Willis? Gary Coleman, who played Arnold on “Different Strokes,” said it all the time to Todd Bridges, who played his brother’s role. Lately, I’ve been saying the same line when I watch conservatives and liberals battle about what is best for America.

We should be able to discuss our different political views without getting upset. I have heard that people end friendships and even quit going to church because of political differences. Really? We can do better.

Our editor Ethan and I discuss politics almost every day. If you think the presidential debate was heated, you should listen to us in the mornings. We have what I consider “passionate” discussions about the current political climate. While we have different opinions on various issues, we still share a commonality of wanting what is best for America. I have realized that our different views bring us to the same table where we find similarities in our values.

Most of the time, people disagree about one another’s opinions without realizing that they have the same values. One may be pro-life and the other pro-choice, but both value the quality of life—just in different ways. For example, the pro-life person values the life of the unborn child. The prochoice person values the mother’s quality of life, who may have been a victim of incest or rape. But what confuses me is when pro-life advocates fight to save the life of an unborn child and, in the same breath, support capital punishment. Is one life more valuable than the other?

I will admit that I walk the line between conservatism and liberalism because I am about what is right at the end of the day. I believe that America symbolizes freedom and people should be free to make the best choice for his or her own life. The operative word is FREEDOM. I think if you believe in pro-life, be all in.

Never waver in your beliefs but be open to viewing things through the eyes of others. Most importantly, don’t be too critical of people who have different beliefs. That said, Ethan, I love you, and I can hardly wait for our next debate, which will probably revolve around the content in this article.