It all started last week with a political posting on Stalkerbook. We can call this alleged poster DoubleL. DoubleL had a post up complaining about a Senator Jim Bunning blocking the extension of unemployment benefits. DoubleL then added, ever so thoughtfully, that she thought this guy was a "prick". Let me first offramp to explain my initial problem that prompted me to comment. We need to raise the level of discourse in this country. If you know me at all, you know I absolutely hate certain politicos and policies. Also, from time to time I will put a lovely status up describing how I feel. I do this with the intention that individuals will comment. They may comment whether they agree or not. I also hope they feel free to comment without worrying about unnecessary or irrational wrath. So let's get back to the interaction. I commented on this status saying "we have no money." Which is true. We have ZERO dollars. Whispers in Washington halls are even throwing out default. America is in SERIOUS economic crisis (all for another post). I personally believe if we don't stop spending now we are going to face an economic crisis of astronomical proportions.
We all know how Stalkerbook goes. One person says something, someone responds. To be honest, I don't remember the exact wording or the play-by-play. It went something to this effect:
Me: we have no money
DoubleL: so people should starve and die
***offramp: Always my favorite when people try to pull the "road to perdition" argument and argue against something you did not say.
Me: Not at all what I'm advocating. My point was that America is broke and we are going to have to make some tough choices in the next year. I think there is more to it than him just being an asshole.
DoubleL: I think you should go to the food shelter I work at and tell that to their faces.
***offramp: Your anecdotal evidence does not make for a factual argument. Nor did I miss the usual attempt of a liberal to point out how he/she does so much for the community while you, the evil Republican, are shit and don't do anything.
At this point I don't really remember what I said. I know it was something about paygo. Plus, I'll admit, I knew the liberal was in a tizzy at this point and couldn't help myself from continuing to poke.
Me: [something about paygo and facts.]
DoubleL: you have lost this argument
***offramp: um WTF. Is this how arguments go for liberals? ATTENTION: Saying something out loud or typing it on Stalkerbook does not make it true.
Me: I'm confused. Could you point out where I was factually incorrect.
Okay- now here is where I get really foggy because I literally cannot remember the entire monologue of a response. To sum it up, I iPhoned into Stalkerbook's notifications, only to discover this rant took up my entire phone screen.
Summary of DoubleL: You have never had it rough. You have never had to put groceries on a credit card, rent a studio, drive a used car, insert other things I haven't done. Your talk of making "tough choices" is hollow because you have never had to make a tough choice in your life. Until you have had to do any of that, your opinion is useless.
***offramp: this is a very short and edited version of what was said to me. It was basically an entire two paragraph diatribe on why I am a spoiled American, who shouldn't have an opinion.
Me: So essentially, because I have been very fortunate, I cannot comment on issues such as the federal deficits or social policy? We need to raise the level of discourse in this country. My point was simply, that personal attacks are unnecessary and serve no purpose.
DoubleL: "DELETE" - yup, she deleted me as a friend. Otherwise I would have just simply posted the whole thing on my blog! So let me unpack this situation and explain my general problems and/or conclusions from this.
1) I still maintain, if you put something up on Stalkerbook that is political in nature, please expect others to comment even if they disagree.
2) DoubleL purposely insulted me in her last post as an attempt to point out that my opinion is moot. Her general argument was that I would have to experience being poor to have an opinion on the subject. Let me analogize: Do we need to be soldiers to have an opinion on foreign policy or national security? Do we need to have children to have an opinion on correct ways to punish them? Do we need to be property owners to vote on initiatives that affect property rights in CA? Or the nuclear option for liberals: do I need to be gay to have an opinion on gay marriage? The answer is most obviously NO to all these. While I will admit, openly, that I am VERY lucky. I indeed do not know what it is like to be poor. I hope I never do. But it is a really scary world when one person's opinions are more valid than another because of social status. Think of this scenario in reverse; Only the opinions of the rich matter.
3) Throughout the interaction she did the general liberal scenario. I give to my community (in DoubleL's situation by volunteering at a food shelter) and now I'm going to insinuate you don't. On top of it, I will also insinuate that you hope people starve and die in the street. Can we please stop with the attempted guilt trips? Volunteering in your community is fabulous. It is also an individual choice. DoubleL has no idea what kind of things I choose to spend my time doing. Additionally, the attempt to depict me as a modern day Hitler because I pointed out that we are broke. Let me announce to you liberals...this is reality. Yes, I wish I could come to "should" island with DoubleL where we have unlimited funds, and great parties with lots of drugs. Unfortunately, I live in "is" land. Here, America has no money to spend on anyone. Suggesting that a Senator blocked extending benefits because of other reasons then him just being a "prick" does not mean I wish people to suffer and die.
4) Taking it personal. This was probably not the most shocking of the whole thing. As a general rule, I try to keep things about the facts at hand. DoubleL's personal situation is not a topic we are discussing. So I continue to wonder why she thought it was okay to personally attack me on a public website where we have mutual friends. It is just mean. There I said it- it is mean. No, I am not shocked (she has a history of this) and nor did I actually care what her opinion of me was. It was just disappointing because these personal attacks are generally what I've come to expect from liberals when they are losing their argument or at a loss for facts to support their position.
5) Finally, the most upsetting thing about the whole interaction is that DoubleL is really dating a friend. She isn't even my friend. She knowingly took things to a personal level with no consideration of my friend and her situation as an awkward third party. It would be like me personally insulting my boyfriend's friend and then deleting him without any regard to the situation that I put my boyfriend in. I have gone out with this couple and invited them to my home to entertain them. Unfortunately, DoubleL will no longer be welcome, and I will have to put my friend in the middle. Additionally, I will not be attending anything at my friend's home because DoubleL lives there and has made her opinion of me quiet clear.
One positive thing, at least I know what she really thinks of me now. There was no "hide the ball" with this interaction. It makes things easier for any potential future dealings.
Regrettably, this is a very common situation I've had when dealing with liberalism. I do honestly enjoy political discussions and disagreements. I think we can all learn something from one another. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that interactions with liberals mainly turn to personal attacks. Plus, when they get their claws out- they are totally in for the kill. Let me please say there are a few liberals whom I have generally enjoyed discussions with and you are not included in this overall complaint (if I'm still debating with you on Stalkerbook or AIM you are excluded!).
