Yesterday I had the opportunity to be reamed for my opinions about the current state of affairs. It was a sorry little conversation that got out of hand before it even started. Actually, now that I think about it, I never did get to share my opinions . . . my opinions were inserted for me.
“You’re part of the vast right wing conspiracy!”
Whoa. What?
“Uh, hi, I’m actually somewhere in the middle, but if you are way on the left, I suppose I do look like I’m on the right . . . you know from a physical perspective and all.”
My attempt at cheeky humor fell flat. It was like walking into a field with landmines.
It is unfortunate that our political discourse has devolved to the point that folks scream at each other. But perhaps the most offensive bit I get from those who believe me to be right yet wrong . . . they vindicate themselves with the “fact” that the rest of the world disagrees with America.
Really?
In my travels I get to speak with ordinary people in developing countries and I get to speak with folks in well developed countries. Here’s what I have seen.
Ordinary folks have a perception about our president (whomever that is at the time) and then they have a perception about our country. And, by and large, the perception when W was in office was . . . wait for it,
Positive.
Say what you will, I’m just reporting here.
Now, on the flip side, those who were well heeled, well traveled and well educated felt that . . .
America is a-okay.
In other words, in my travels: China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (it’ll always be HK to me), Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Italy, Germany, UK and Argentina, the folks I met in big cities and in small cities by and large thought W was okay (but not great) and that America was still kicking butt and taking names.
Nice. So why don’t we hear that?
Here are some comics that have been published in papers in Australia. I am not aware of the distribution in the US. Glenn McCoy publishes stateside and can be found on mycomicspages.com (not that I have an account or anything). If you wonder how others may perceive the US, check these out.
Great comics.
Robert Martin
Nice use of graphics.
Martin O’Connor
Funny comics! I Hate discussing politics with anyone.
Lisa McLellan
Great stuff Kate…
Scott Payne
The “Power to the Government” people have more than their share of the closed-minded verbal bullies.
It all kind of fits. When government gets too powerful, which it always strives to do, it has to suppress free speech because too much of the speech gets to be against government policies of more government and less freedom.
The advocates of big government are just mimicking what big government always does.
What’s really beginning to concern me is the number of advocates of big government suppression of the individual who are now revealing themselves following the lead of the present U.S. head of state.
Join the Ron Paul Revolution.
Martin O’Connor
I never know where my gravator goes on your blog since it shows up every where else.
I’m in the middle on this and I do love America too.
Vicki
Oh Kate, what amusing bias in their relationships!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert
good posts and good points of view. I think people need to be less partisan and use more, right and wrong thinking.
Good stuff Kate… as most I’m disappointed with the direction of the country!
Scott Payne
Sorry Kate, I pushed some wrong button and lost my comment.
I don’t have time to do put it up again.
You go girl. Freedom!
Martin O’Connor
There was an unmistakable growth of anti-American sentiment here when your last president was in power. During his first term I was at art school (demographic tends to the left) and it was positively hostile towards him and a little scathing towards America. Several artworks I recall were less than complimentary. Outside of that environment the sentiment was still around but nowhere near as bad (50% right again).
For the most part Kiwis are peace loving, mind your own business kind of people. Now your President is a bit of a rock star and I suspect the perception of your country improved after he won (why after the election? W was on his way out anyway….).
I don’t care what anyone else says…I’m always Wright!
taking this course – I will never be able to think of being Wright again. lol Vicki
To be honest, I cannot really stand the whole right/left party lines thing. I like who I like. Anything too extreme, right or left, isn’t my thing.
People do like America, I love America, it’s just who ever is running the country at the time can emphasize the neg. stereotypes of America or change those perceptions. I do think it is time America re-vamped itself a bit. We are a young country still making a lot of mistakes, and many people have the notion of how America is rather than what it should be.
MissMentor
I’m in the middle as well. I don’t make decisions based on what others think. Thank you sharing the facts.
Jose Escalante
Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.
At least we are not yet at the point where our political differences have us picking up guns and shooting at each other. Emphasis on the word “Yet,” since goons and apologists for the current regime are trying to stifle free speech and prevent open political discourse.
“Political Power comes out of the barrel of a gun” – Mousy Tongue
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.” – Thomas Jefferson
Steve Chambers
Sales Training Speaker
Great comments and great comics.
There is no right and left, there is only right and wrong, and I am proud to be one on the right side.
As Reagan said in one of his many great speeches…
“I suggest to you there is no left or right, only an up or down. Up to the maximum of individual freedom consistent with law and order, or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism” — Ronald Reagan “A Time For Choosing” speech (1964)
Seize the Day,
Rob