There were two very illuminating commentary pieces in The Bulletin recently. Both were from The Los Angeles Times and discussed interactions with people of opposite political philosophies. One was written from a liberal perspective and the other from a conservative one.

I was struck by the difference in attitudes. The conservative writer was lamenting how it was impossible to debate with liberals because it usually devolved into name-calling by the liberal. In the liberal piece, she was calling her conservative neighbor names. The conservative writer concluded, for the sake of friendships and peace, to avoid political discussion. The liberal writer, on the other hand, simply couldn’t be friends with conservatives.

Interesting how liberals are always first to preach tolerance but often first to abandon it. I also find it interesting that when her conservative neighbor preached against government funding of welfare, education, arts, health care, etc., she concluded the conservative was heartless and didn’t want any of those things. In reality most conservatives do, in fact, find those things important. It’s just they realize having the federal government pay for and administer them is unrealistic and inefficient.

Jeff Kennedy

Bend