Bigger Man

I argue with people about politics because I think that I am right. I can honestly say that my political opinions are shaped around what I think would be of the greatest benefit to the greatest number of people, even if it would adversely affect me. I also tend to argue with ignorant, backward people as they are usually squawking the loudest. In my recent journey of self-improvement/self-rediscovery, I've regained my ability to argue with these people and convey points to them despite their total unwillingness to open their mind. I've also rediscovered how to do this tactfully. Below is my response to a Facebook argument that I involved myself in because I was drunk and bored. It started out centered on health care and quickly devolved into a "liberals are baby-killers and commie/fascists" argument. I wish I was kidding. This was my reply:

I respectfully bow out of this conversation. It has blossomed a bit outside of a strict health care debate and it's really not worth trying to untangle the cat's cradle at this point.

I will offer one point of clarification: the bill is structured so that people within a certain income range receive subsidies to purchase health care. The subsidy varies with income so that those making more receive less. Within the income levels health care should be affordable for everybody. The fine exists because if you do not have health care, you are most likely choosing to not have it. There will always be exceptions because nothing works for everybody, but if you examine this aspect of the bill hopefully you will agree.

The only other thing that I have to say is that I hope you all take the time to understand the bill on your own. There are a TON of flat-out lies floating around (on both sides, put your pitchforks down) regarding this bill, and I myself do not know everything that is in it. However, I do know that there are numerous tenets of the bill that force insurance companies to actually take care of us and treat us as people should be treated. I would hope no matter what side of the political fence that you sit on we could at least agree that insurance companies are kind of assholes and need to adhere to the basic ethical standards that all other businesses operate under. Maybe none of you agree, which is okay, because we need opposing ideas to create balance, but remember that Conservatives and Liberals are not supposed to be enemies. We are supposed to work together and compromise to create the best possible country that we can. The enemy thing was created by politicians to keep themselves employed. Let's show them that we're not as dumb as they expect us to be.

God bless.