Posted on May 20, 2016
Have you ever truly hated a politician? Is there one you hate now?
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In a rush to respond to a question of “hatred” this morning, before I left to take a granddaughter to a scholastic testing center, I answered hastily.
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/hillary-clinton-former-senator-for-new-york-govtrack-us?urlhash=1545454&cid=5889921&email_token=ZVRjMk9YWnNOblJoU2tka1dqZzRVSEV5VDJSNFltczVXV0o2UzFaQ1RqbFdhMVk0UVRodmIzUTVUVDB0TFRabWNIVnhRMjkxZFVRclVXTmtURFkyTlN0Vk1FRTlQUT09LS1jM2JiOWY1MGQxNzI5MTFhYTJjMDdjNDRjMTc5ZmUzOGUzNTUxNDc5&utm_campaign=activity&utm_content=notifications&utm_medium=unpaid&utm_source=email
My response bothered me until I could get back to my computer to correct it. Then I realized that this was too important to bury in another discussion thread. Thus, I ask, “Have you ever truly hated someone?”
Honestly, I have. My ex-spouse. Not for the way she treated me, but rather because I once loved her. The simple truth is that I don't believe you can really hate someone unless you first love them. If you can accept my premise, you will understand why I can say, without reservation, I have never hated a politician. Not even those who might seem eminently worthy of hatred.
I have been disappointed in some. I was disappointed that President Reagan wasn't able to reverse the growth of government. He tried and failed. You may not remember, but he was disappointed in himself for that failure. I was disappointed that President Bush invaded Iraq. Replacing a tyrant with “democracy” seemed doomed because people who voluntarily live under an authoritarian rule are rarely happy when liberty and its companion, responsibility, are thrust upon them.
I was never disappointed with President Obama. He has lived down to my every expectation. Yes, I'll admit that he has angered me at times with his cowardice and ineptitude. But hatred? No.
However, I've been accused of hating him. I'm being accused of hating Hillary Clinton because of my very vocal and passionate objections to her election, and I wonder why. Then I realize the reason. “Hatred” is the perfect foil to my every objection, especially those that begin to resonate with her supporters. Dismissing me as a “hater” eliminates any need to deal with my objections. Any discomfort raised by the reasonableness of my arguments is quickly salved.
“He hates blacks.”
“He hates women.”
“There's an end to it. Anything and everything he says is invalidated just because he's a bigot. A misogynist.”
The same defense is being used against Trump, isn't it.
Trust me. I never loved Hillary. I never loved President Obama. I could never really hate either. Nor could I even hate other, even more reprehensible people if I never loved them.
I don't like them and nothing anyone can say or do will make me like them.
You may not like me for objecting to them. You may not like me for my passionate and vocal arguments to diminish the regard that others have for them. Don't worry. I can deal with it. I doubt that they worry much either about me.
But you can't simply dismiss me just because I don't like what you like. Because I don't like the ideology that you like.
But when you call me a “hater”, I know what you are attempting to do. Others know it too. And we are not impressed.
https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/hillary-clinton-former-senator-for-new-york-govtrack-us?urlhash=1545454&cid=5889921&email_token=ZVRjMk9YWnNOblJoU2tka1dqZzRVSEV5VDJSNFltczVXV0o2UzFaQ1RqbFdhMVk0UVRodmIzUTVUVDB0TFRabWNIVnhRMjkxZFVRclVXTmtURFkyTlN0Vk1FRTlQUT09LS1jM2JiOWY1MGQxNzI5MTFhYTJjMDdjNDRjMTc5ZmUzOGUzNTUxNDc5&utm_campaign=activity&utm_content=notifications&utm_medium=unpaid&utm_source=email
My response bothered me until I could get back to my computer to correct it. Then I realized that this was too important to bury in another discussion thread. Thus, I ask, “Have you ever truly hated someone?”
Honestly, I have. My ex-spouse. Not for the way she treated me, but rather because I once loved her. The simple truth is that I don't believe you can really hate someone unless you first love them. If you can accept my premise, you will understand why I can say, without reservation, I have never hated a politician. Not even those who might seem eminently worthy of hatred.
I have been disappointed in some. I was disappointed that President Reagan wasn't able to reverse the growth of government. He tried and failed. You may not remember, but he was disappointed in himself for that failure. I was disappointed that President Bush invaded Iraq. Replacing a tyrant with “democracy” seemed doomed because people who voluntarily live under an authoritarian rule are rarely happy when liberty and its companion, responsibility, are thrust upon them.
I was never disappointed with President Obama. He has lived down to my every expectation. Yes, I'll admit that he has angered me at times with his cowardice and ineptitude. But hatred? No.
However, I've been accused of hating him. I'm being accused of hating Hillary Clinton because of my very vocal and passionate objections to her election, and I wonder why. Then I realize the reason. “Hatred” is the perfect foil to my every objection, especially those that begin to resonate with her supporters. Dismissing me as a “hater” eliminates any need to deal with my objections. Any discomfort raised by the reasonableness of my arguments is quickly salved.
“He hates blacks.”
“He hates women.”
“There's an end to it. Anything and everything he says is invalidated just because he's a bigot. A misogynist.”
The same defense is being used against Trump, isn't it.
Trust me. I never loved Hillary. I never loved President Obama. I could never really hate either. Nor could I even hate other, even more reprehensible people if I never loved them.
I don't like them and nothing anyone can say or do will make me like them.
You may not like me for objecting to them. You may not like me for my passionate and vocal arguments to diminish the regard that others have for them. Don't worry. I can deal with it. I doubt that they worry much either about me.
But you can't simply dismiss me just because I don't like what you like. Because I don't like the ideology that you like.
But when you call me a “hater”, I know what you are attempting to do. Others know it too. And we are not impressed.
Anger
Politics
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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As others have said hate is a pretty strong word, I think that's one of the problems with our political system, I certainly do not agree with many on what their opinion is on politics or a certain issue but I like to think I disagree with them or a certain politician and certainly note hate them.
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CPT Jack Durish
Everybody "likes" to think that. But sadly I've been called a "hater" just for disagreeing. That's the reason I opened this discussion. To see if others shared a similar experience and what they deduced from it.
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Despise because they are lazy, have everything, work for nothing, treat people around them like shit, and have no appreciation for anything yes. Hate is a strong word. I would not use hate. Mind you if they were on fire and I had a glass of water, I would drink the water.
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CPT Jack Durish
It's a good answer to my question, however I wish you would respond to the rest of it. I appreciate input from those I respect. I'm sure others would like to hear as well (and you already got your 100 pts)
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