Politics and thinking

Ennie and I were driving back in my damp car (another post... boo) and got to talking politics. I know, a dangerous topic.I think I made a realization about my views about politics and people. Now I'll start off with saying that I know a whole lot of republicans as well as democrats. I tend to get along with both sides just fine. I can talk politics over a beer and discuss issues and topics and leave as friends; debate it a good thing.What really gets in my craw is when someone just starts to parrot what they hear and can't say anything original. If you have a problem with someone, you need to be able to lay out specific things that you have problems with and what you would do differently to fix the problem. You can't go into an argument with just "I don't like him" or "I don't like them." That is not productive.If you say that you preferred Romney over Obama because of his fiscal policies -- specifically his views on taxation as compared to how the president was handling things we can start to talk and discuss pros and cons of the matter at hand. If, on the other hand, you go in and say that "Obama is destroying America" and look at me blankly I'll likely think that you are an idiot (or perhaps, more properly, an ignoramus). Likewise, a "Romney will destroy America" is equally drawn into question.Going into a debate where everything is black and white with no room in the middle is a recipe for going nowhere. It just frustrates everyone and makes a subset of people look like fools.Going in with an agenda is going in with blinders on. Go in prepared to think. I know it's hard, but do it for me if nothing else.