Discussion with my Son

Just the other day my son, who is a progressive, called in to question some statements I had made on previous blog posts. The details are not terribly important but generally his concern had to do with my position on President Obama's policies which clearly I do not support. He also felt that I was being disrespectful of the President and perhaps even harboured at some level feelings of hate towards the man.

At first I was quite upset. After giving further consideration to his words I decided to make a public statement. First, I respect the office of the President of the United Sates of America and the man who holds it. Second, I bear no personal animosity towards the man and I certainly have no hate for him at any level. He is an intelligent and personable man. One who I likely could sit down and have a beer with and share some mutual insights.

My issues with the President are not personal. Rather they are with respect to his policies and what I believe to be his political beliefs and his philosophy of governance. I have said he is a socialist/Marxist and I stand by those statements. I do not approve of the direction, started by his predecessor, that he is leading us into. At almost every level it has the stench of socialism/Marxism. Simply put, if I have any hate at all it is with the tenets of socialism and Marxism. I have found these philosophies to be distasteful for over 35 years and will continue to find them distasteful.

Having said the above it is important to state the following. I believe fiercely in every person's right to hold their beliefs, whatever they may be. Further, I believe it every one's right to freely express their views without the fear of retribution from any source. Not only do I believe it every individuals right to think and speak freely, I believe it is their responsibly as American citizens to do so. Dissent and political activism is a positive pursuit and should be encouraged, both conservative and progressive. A qualifier, all dissent and activism must remain respectful and never turn to violence. If it does it immediately loses whatever credibility it may have had.

Now with that out of the way back to my son. As I previously stated he is a progressive. He is also highly intelligent as well as being thoughtful of the issues. He told me several times he believes in moving cautiously with health care and he does not march in lockstep with anyone. I go on record as saying that type of progressivism gives hope that it may be possible to find solutions that work. Because at the end of the day, the nation must have solutions that are hammered out and agreed to by progressives and conservatives alike.

My son made an interesting observation, one I hope he won't mind me sharing. He said, and I paraphrase, Dad I get worried that because of your views posted on your blog you might be on a watch list. Then he said, if you aren't already on one. To which I replied, "I thank you for your concern. But there are things larger and more important than my security. Not the least of which is working in any and every way I can to insure that you, your wife, and you son will continue to enjoy the liberties that prior generations of Americans enjoyed. If I am on a watch list, and I may be, then so be it. That only would serve to support why I do what I do."

Oh, before I forget, we are proud of you, we love you, and we love our daughter-in-law and grandson.

Les Carpenter III
Rational Nation USA

Comments

  1. The Prophet Dervish Z SandersMon Feb 01, 12:08:00 PM EST

    LOL. Comedy gold, RN. You should write more posts where you are this funny!

    ReplyDelete

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