slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

By Nadiyah Ford

What does this liberal want from conservatives?

Stop telling me that I v**e the way I do because I want free stuff or expect the government to take care of me. I have been working consistently since I turned 16, am college-educated and have a master's degree, own my own business, and pay taxes and have paid taxes each year since I’ve turned 16.

I v**e for stronger social programs because I believe they make society better for the greatest number of Americans. I have lived in countries with stronger social safety nets and better infrastructure, facilities and programs than what exists here in the US (France and Australia), and I want some of that for myself and other Americans AND I am willing to pay for them with my taxes.

Stop telling me that my race is political. I am a brown-skinned Black girl. I don’t get to choose when and where I am Black. I am just Black. I don’t have a Black card because my Blackness is apparent the second you look at me. Acknowledging my Blackness isn’t r****t. Calling me Black isn’t r****t. And acknowledging that my Blackness affects my life in ways I cannot control is not r****t, or playing a race card. Trust me when I say that I would much rather that my skin color have no bearing on my life whatsoever, but that is not reality, and I have no control over that. There is no race card other than the one that exists in your mind.

Stop telling me that government is inherently ineffective and inefficient. That’s an easy problem to solve by no longer v****g for ineffective politicians. Governing is complex. I v**e for politicians who show a willingness to understand the complexities, consult experts, and devise solutions with the potential to reach the greatest number of people. I v**e for politicians who have clear ideas for the things they want to do (platforms) and how they plan to pay for those ideas. And when those politicians don’t deliver on the things they’ve promised, or are found betraying the public trust, I stop v****g for ineffective or improper politicians and instead support their challengers. You should try it; it works.

Lastly, I don’t h**e you or America. Wanting America to be better and believing that America can be better for all of us is the antithesis of h**e - it is hope and p***e.

My $.02 worth.

Liberty Tree

Should have kept her $.02

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

As should have you.

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

Rose42

Here’s the problem. People like the author say stop v****g for ineffective politicians yet people still v**e for the lesser of two evils and nothing positive will come of that.

Until people demand change, nothing will change. Our politicians are not held accountable

American Vet

LOL

Ineffective politicians???

I'd wager she v**ed for biden.......

Kevyn

The lesser of two evils is often the only prudent choice. Ranked choice v****g would give third party and independent candidates a shot and allow people to v**e their real choice without electing the candidate they think is the worst.

Smedley_buzkill

That's twice you have said something that makes sense. Could we be seeing the start of a trend?

Smedley_buzkill

A little true story. I was talking to a friend with whom I graduated high school. The talk naturally turned to the town we lived in at the time. She mentioned that Joe *** was no longer mayor. Now this guy was a hose nose. He never saw a line he wouldn't snort. I commented at least they got rid of him. My friend then informed me that another of our graduating class was elected mayor in his stead; a guy who is basically a complete moron and thinks he is the brightest light on the Christmas tree.
In short, I am glad that neither of us live there anymore since the people who still do just replaced a dopehead with a dickhead and they think it's an improvement.
This ends today's lesson in political choices. The moral being sometimes there are no good choices. We should worry less about Russian Oligarchs and more about the ones right here in the USA. That includes the tempest in a teapot local and county circuses.

woodguru

Trump was a lesser of two evils v**e for sure...and yes trump needs to be held accountable for a very close attempt at derailing the e******n.

Rose42

I agree and would like to see other candidates given a chance and not shut out because they’re not in one of the two major parties. But the two parties are an obstacle to that unfortunately. How to get that done is the question. The media could help if they so chose.

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

You can always be counted on for an interesting story and/or reply...thanks for responding

Strycker Loc: The middle of somewhere else.

The difference isn't in the final goal. It is in the road to get there. Many, such as myself, believe that 300 million individuals working independently to help each other to grow and achieve is much more creative and productive than 500 politicians in Washington promising rainbows to gain wealth and power.

You want to effect change then start in your own back yard, your own neighborhood, community, or town. If a neighbor needs a new barn it's time to rally the neighbors for an old fashion barn raising, unless, of course, you prefer to beg the politicians and wait for them to replace it while you stay home and pay your taxes.

We no longer care about our neighbors. We expect the government to care instead of us.

My $.02 worth

RascalRiley Loc: Somewhere south of Detroit

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Your 2 cents worth is considerably more valuable than that.