Ah, presidential campaigns...
If you're anything like me, you're already weary of this one and it's barely gotten started. It's not that I'm complacent, apathetic, or believe our process is so corrupt and illogical that it bears ignoring. No, I'm actually an active voter, a firm "decider," and one who is convinced that, despite its many flaws, our election process deserves our passionate participation. What I'm tired of? The campaign. And not just as it relates to the candidates themselves (though, God knows, one more cable show about DT and I'll throw my TV out the window!), but even those campaigning for them. The supporters, the adherents; the enthusiasts, advocates, bandwagoners. Them.
I have nothing against that crowd in general. In fact, more power to them. In a country, and at a time, when apathy reigns and far too many think it's someone else's job to figure out what's happening with our government, our laws, our policies, and our representatives, I think it's critical that as many people as possible get informed, get involved, and, ultimately, get to the voting booth.
My problem? Zealots. Fanatics. Those who get so swept up in their belief system -- be it religion, politics, Scientology, or that enzyme drink sure to cure the world -- they lose sight of the thoughts, feelings, opinions, and ideas of others. They confuse passion with pugilism, they leave decorum and good manners at the door, and, too often, become so frantic about convincing others of the value of their belief, they end up working against themselves. And, in this case, their candidate.
I bring this up today because I'm seeing more and more examples of it in my social media circle, and today there was a point of critical mass that sparked a need to comment. Now, I'm quite clear that my social media circle is not a control group. Given my own politics (left of center, as anyone who knows me knows), I tend to have more centrists and liberals in my crowd than right wingers or Tea Partiers (though I actually do have a few of those!). Which means I disproportionately see the postings of those on the lefter side of the aisle and can't speak much for what's happening on the righter side. Maybe they're busy dropkicking each other over Scott Walker becoming a Koch whore, or Donald reincarnating the soul of P.T. Barnum, but I don't know.
On my side of the aisle, it's all about Bernie. Well, Bernie vs. Hillary. And that's where the rub is getting... rubbier.
I like Bernie; I've always liked Bernie. I've shared his memes and quotes over the years, I've appreciated his unvarnished views on issues of the economy and fiscal equity, and I believe he's a passionate, powerful idealist who has a lot to say that bears hearing. I'm thrilled he's running; I think he's energized many on the left who've felt Hillary wasn't left enough but didn't have another candidate to support. He makes the Democratic ticket a true race, one that's vibrant and competitive, and that's a good thing.
The rub is in the way too many of his supporters are comporting themselves in their effort to promote the cause. I don't mind the enthusiastic postings about big crowds, electrifying speeches, or hope-inducing polls. The ideas he's touting, the kind of government he's visualizing, the core principals of his platform are all admirable, and it's easy to see why people are excited. That's how it should go in campaigns, certainly at this point in the process. I don't even mind the countless invitations I've received to join this "Bernie group" on Facebook, or come to that Bernie event in Hollywood. Invite away; I'm a big girl and I have no problem being gracious in my responses.
But lately I'm seeing too many threads on the topic turn into sadly-typical spitting contests, with those supporting Bernie flinging epithets at Hillary supporters, breathlessly listing all her purported transgressions and foibles, denigrating her accomplishments, insulting her personal decisions, and acting as though anyone who supports her is an idiot who doesn't grasp the folly of their ways. I've had Bernie supporters get snarly with me, bait me to answer questions about why I might support Hillary, push me t