Tolerance

The old adage, "it takes all kinds to make the world go around" is especially appropriate to the events that occurred in Safety Harbor yesterday.  I will tell you from the beginning that I do not agree with those people at all.  If I had been in the Harbor yesterday and came across their table I would probably have quipped some snarky remark such as there are more horses’ asses in the world than there are horses and moved on.  I would have been upset with their statements and signs, but I also know that nothing that I could have said would have changed their opinions and beliefs.

For the record, I used to be a staunch supporter of George H.W. Bush.  He could have done no wrong in my eyes.  I supported him blindly, and was a good little Republican Party member.  I used to proudly state my political opinions to everyone who would listen to me, and there were numerous occasions when I went toe to toe arguing with protesters who were protesting the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and then one day I picked up a book that opened my eyes.  That book was 1776 by David McCullough.

To those who may not have read it, it chronicles the struggles of our Founding Fathers as they tried to find a way to create a country from nothing; a country that was based on independence, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  I will acknowledge, although not discuss it here, that of course there were economic reasons for independence, and of course there was the issue of slavery, that frankly is a terrible blot on our history, that the Founding Fathers took into consideration, but more importantly they had a grander vision.  The country that we proudly call the United States of America is a result of their hard work and dedication to creating something bigger and more meaningful; a country based on those principals stated in the Declaration of Independence and the preamble of the Constitution. 

After finishing 1776, my appetite for knowledge grew and I devoured every book and article I could lay hands on; no subject was beyond my reach.  I took Benjamin Franklin’s advice, “[that] the only thing more expensive than education is ignorance” to heart.  I even struggled with economic theory when the housing bubble popped and I realized just how bad our economy truly is.  I don't profess to be an expert on any subject, but I am comfortable enough with my knowledge to be able to make rational decisions.  In other words, when the proverbial "s***" hit the fan, I didn't run around screaming my head off that the sky was falling, but instead I turned to books written by scholarly authors, read the actual bills being put forth by the House and Senate (even though they didn’t), and picked apart the executive orders being created by Bush and Obama.  I educated myself to the best of my ability about the subjects at hand, and that is where my belief, as the Founding Fathers believed, that an educated populace is the best hope for our country.  I also grew up politically speaking.  Instead of attacking someone for not agreeing with me, I developed a tolerance for those people that some may deem as "yahoos".  My political opinions became something that I guarded very closely, and I still do. 

I'm sure that I will be attacked by those who disagree with me for what I have said in this post, but before you vilify me, the author, I ask that you just pause for a moment with your hands poised over the keyboard and try to take in the spirit of what it is that I am writing here.  I do not agree with group that was here yesterday, but I do respect their right to speak their beliefs.  I agree to disagree with them, and move on with my day.  Others will voice their opinions to their faces, and I respect them as well.  We certainly need to stand up for what we believe and not be cowered by those who happen to disagree with us, but it is my opinion that through patience, respect and tolerance of opposing beliefs that are based on reason, facts and frankly reality, that a middle ground can be reached and true progress can be made. 

Just so we're clear on my political stance, I am a registered Independent who voted for Obama.  I did not base my decision on party affiliations or the bromide spouted by the candidates.  I voted for Obama after much deliberation, research and thought on my part.  I will also proudly say that I am a staunch supporter of education, reason, common sense, and active involvement in the governmental process.  We need to speak our opinions and beliefs; yet we also need to be respectful and tolerant of each other because after all wouldn't you agree with me that it is through the debate process that the work of our society really gets done!

I will close with a quote from my favorite Founding Father, Ben Franklin, "The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.”