revised repost

I don't like to be told I'm wrong. I don't think many people like to feel belittled or stupid or ignorant or made to feel like their opinions, because they are not "popular" or whatever, are wrong.

As we're approaching the Big Day where this country will collectively participate in a political spring cleaning, there's more "discussion" than ever, and I'm all for discussion-- as long as it's remains a discussion.

DISCUSSION: consideration of a question in open and usually informal debate.(thank you merriam-webster.com)
I'll be honest, while I do not consider myself a staunch Republican, I do consider myself moderately conservative, which means my views tend to swing toward the right. I do my best to consider platforms, social issues, figure out my place within this crazy mess, then vote accordingly.

What this means is I sometimes end up on the "wrong side" of social and political issues from my friends and family. That's ok with me, since I think it's terribly interesting to learn and try to better understand differing views. Unfortunately the sad truth is that social/political/religious/etc opinions (1. a view, judgement or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. 2. a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge) tend to be up for disagreement or disapproval but not open for DISCUSSION. We are reduced to a sarcastic battle fo wits, name-calling and finger-pointing. There is not a lot of openness involved.

Recently, a link was posted on Facebook by someone I know, supposedly with the intent to "open the discussion" about universal healthcare and not intended at all to sway votes or opinions. Firstly, what else could her intention have been other than to sway opinions? I should hope that an open DISCUSSION should absolutely aim to encourage participants to re-evaluate their stances, the outcome being a better understanding of the opposing view at very least. Though she may not have opened the conversation with a declaration, "This is what I think and I want to share it" or even "Anyone who doesn't agree with me is wrong," the implication is there, and that is great. 

But secondly, I have found that the following conversation has been anything but open, since opposing views have given their arguments only to be told that they are, in so many words, WRONG. So in other words, this conversation is not being opened, but absolutely closed. Apparently, universal healthcare is a closed issue and therefore not a DISCUSSION at all, and those who might disagree are misinformed, ignorant, and unconstitutional, letting their unpopular political or social beliefs get in the way of what's "fair."

Of course, then there's the swirling vortex of topics relating to Mitt Romney and the LDS church, gay marriage and the LDS church, economics and the LDS church, etc. etc. etc. Of course, being LDS myself, my political and social beliefs are influenced by my religious convictions. That being said, my religious convictions are also influenced by my political and social beliefs. The two are definitely inseparable, but absolutely not mutually exclusive. Any actual DISCUSSION of these things would reveal that pretty quickly and plainly. And the implication that I am misinformed, ignorant, brain-washed and unconstitutional really entices me to participate in any public forum of this nature...

Some tips for liberals who might hope to "discuss" with us crazy backwards conservatives who may or may not also be religious:
1. We tend to be as firmly planted in our beliefs as you are in yours.
2. Just because we are conservative does not mean we are ignorant. We earnestly believe in our conservative views as you do in your liberal. It is not a lack of information or "forward thinking" that landed us here.
3. Do not site or twist the words of spiritual leaders or literature in order to support your claims that will make spiritually-influenced political opinions hypocritical. It only leads to a more convoluted circle.
4. Sarcasm is unattractive. I'm really grappling to find any humor in this most serious situation, and sarcastically making fun of our beliefs- and therefore, of us, to our faces- will not spark a very open DISCUSSION.
5. The old adage may just hold true: don't discuss politics or religion among friends. There will never be black-and-white answers, exchanges of well-informed (from either perspective) opinion will never result in an absolute change-of-heart.

I hope we're all as well-informed as we can be in our political and religious (or unreligious) beliefs. I hope that we have each studied platforms thoroughly and have formed decisions for ourselves so that our votes will reflect what we believe will prove the best course for this country. I know this is what I have aimed to do, and I sincerely hope that those with differing views (especially those who know me well, regardless of their own political stances) will give some credit to my own informed opinions.