It is difficult to communicate everything in written form unless you write volumes. Understanding another person can be challenging even in person. Both people have to be willing to listen and try to understand. Too often, I write what I think I am trying to say, but someone else reads it and thinks I am saying something completely down another path. I do not know who Mary Fahnestock-Thomas is, but it has been delightful having a brief conversation through the letters to the editor. If only we could see more of these, especially with the elections coming up next year. When I first moved into the valley, I was appalled at the political letters, attitudes, and obnoxious behavior that came pouring out of the woodwork during election time. We will see what next year looks like.
Technically, I think we have (or had) a Constitutional Republic with democratically elected representatives. That was then, this is now. We live in a much more complex world which is becoming too complicated to navigate well. To me, it feels like it is spinning out of control.
Mary, are you a politician or heavily involved with the political world? That is the way it sounds to me. I find it interesting that generally people pick one side or the other, each thinking that they are on the correct side, everyone else is on the wrong side, and it’s my job to convince the others that my side is correct.
What if both sides are right in some ways, and both sides are wrong in some ways? You would think that we could both lay down our swords and figure it out together rather than looking to the political gods to try and mess it up for us. I truly believe that people have the ability to figure things out if they want to. I’m not saying it would be easy.
When individuals hand over the responsibility to the politicians, the politicians (IRS) must first take money from the people. Then the politicians can do something for the people. But first they take out their own pay cut, and we, the people end up with the crumbs. It has, is, and will always be this way. Study the history of all the political kingdoms and civilizations that have come and gone.
Let’s ignore the politicians and do what is non-violent, thoughtful, and compassionate!
Chris Martin
Hamilton
Susan Latimer says
Chris, You make this 4th generation Montana woman homesick for the way things were when she was growing up. We knew everyone was a good person and honestly often didn’t even know how they voted. I never knew how my own mother voted. We like and took care of each other. Non-violent, thoughful and compassionate was the Montana way! Now just drive by any church on Sunday morning and look at the bumperstickers on the rigs. Man, I do miss the way things were, must be gettng old Thank you so much