I'm not an extremist

I have noticed over the last few years, decades actually that both political parties have become extremists.  You are either ultra liberal or ultra conservative if you want to survive in either party.  We as a nation abhor the extremism of the Jihads, yet we are allowing the same extremism in our political parties. Should we as Americans support the extreme edges of our political parties or should we remain moderate?  Politically there is very little or no difference between ultra and extreme.

Our political parties are endorsing candidates that are either ultra left or ultra right and consciously trying to eliminate candidates that are moderates.  This is causing a huge rift between parties.  It's almost like the parties are in competition to see which can become more extreme than the other.  Both parties are equally guilty of this extremism.  We as a nation abhor what we consider extremism in other countries and call extremist terrorists.  I am not saying that our political parties should be considered terrorists but, how much further can they go left or right before they are? 

The "media" is as responsible for this as either of the parties.  It seems to me that responsible journalists would be more inclined to be objective about both parties than supporting one party or the other by reporting only the negatives of the party they are unwilling to support.  CNN and FOX are at odds with each other over which party is the best.  CNN is liberal and FOX is conservative.  Both are trying to control our national morals by trying to slant the news one way or the other as far as the ultra liberals or ultra conservatives go.  Both outlets spend as much time on accusing the other of being either democratic or republican heavy in their reporting. In actuality neither is very objective.  They spend too much time defending themselves and their slant to the right or the left to actually objectively report the politics in America.

My thought is this:  It's time we as responsible Americans and consumers start to look at what the political parties and media are doing to our politicians.  We need to listen carefully to the people looking to be elected to ascertain whether they are towing the party line or concerned with their constituents needs.  In other words are they going to do what is best for the people they represent or are they going to do what the political parties want.  I personally believe that my representatives will look at what is best for me and the community I live in before he/she looks at what the party expects from them.  I know that in the long run money talks and bullshit walks but, I also believe that if you do what is right for your neighbors they will always support you at election time. 

One last thought.  All of our lives we have taught that moderation is best.  Now our political parties and media are trying to tell us extremism is best.

Common Courtesy

What happened to the day when people treated each other with respect and courtesy?  When did people stop teaching their children to treat their elders with respect?  Simple things like referring to our elders with terms like sir and ma'am.  Opening doors not only for women but, for elderly people as well.  I was taught as many of my friend were that we must treat everybody with respect especially if we wanted respect as well.  Courtesy was the greatest form of respect you could show any body. 

I was brought up calling my friends parents Mr. or Mrs. whatever.  My bosses and elders were always sir and ma'am.  When my daughters friends ask me my name I always say Mr. Burns.  They always seem confused by that.  I have friends that I still don't know what theirs parents first name is.  I always called my bosses Mr., Mrs. or Ms when addressing them formally and sir and ma'am when addressing them informally.  On request I would call my bosses or friends parents by first name.  I always treated them with respect.  The respect due their station in life.  This along with the rule of don't speak unless spoken to in the presence of elders and superiors has always served me well.  I am well thought of and respected among my peers and superiors.

It seems to me that courtesy has gone by the way side by generations following.  Many younger people want to refer to elders and superiors by first name without getting permission first.  Very few young adults have sir and ma'am in their vocabulary unless they are from a military background.  Simple courtesies like opening doors or addressing elders with Mr., Mrs. or Ms. are not ingrained in them.  Showing respect for elders is not a given anymore, children are being taught that respect must be earned by others and that they should expect respect from others. This is an oxymoron perpetrated by parents to give children a basis of self respect. 

My thought is this:  Children should be taught to earn the respect of their elders and peers by being courteous and respectful.  Not expecting respect because that is what they want.  Courtesy is the building block of earning the respect of others.  The golden rule says do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Not expect other to do unto you because you expect it.