No Politics

[Goonie]

Politics and religion, at our age, are really not all that subject to change. People stay away from these topics in "face to face" encounters because we have learned from hard experience that they just cause unnecessary heartburn. Why everyone figures they can say, on the internet, what they wouldn't dream of saying in person is beyond me.

That may just be a perception. There is a fairly large group of us retirees, that get together just about every morning at a local coffee joint...the actual number varies, but over a period of about 2 hours, there are (on average) about 30 folks who grace each other presence there. Not everyone shows up everyday, and not everyone stays the entire 2 hours. But we have all, voluntarily, pretty much entwined ourselves into each other's lives, and we all watch out for each other and care about each other. And ANYBODY is welcome to join in with us. The primary reason for the daily gathering, is for social interaction....a.k.a. we all like to shoot the sh*t!!!

We are of varied political, ethnic, religious, and financial backgrounds, as well as ages. I'm the youngest at 50, the oldest is a spry old fella in his 90's, that I've known all of my life. Funny thing is...we all get a long! Topics of discussion? ANYTHING! There are NO 'sacred cows' in our pasture! We're all adults, and we all can go "face to face" and share our views and opinions, and the others all show respect by listening to one another. Do we agree with everything said? Heck, no! Will what is said change our beliefs or viewpoints? Probably not. But we all enjoy each others company and camaraderie.

We all have one single common bond between us....we're all retired!!! We're livin' life....we're havin' fun!

 

[Eagle43]

I do like the idea of a Politics Thread. Then all politics could be put there and the guys/gals who don't like such discussions could easily avoid them. Such discussions don't bother me, but I can understand those who might hate them. But, doing it will require someone to make decisions. Take a subject like social security. How can you discuss that and eliminate all political input. Same with taxes. Healthcare, anyone? Travel? Is it better in Canada than France? Hmmmm. This could be tough. Before you know it everything will be in the political thread.

 

[Rustic23]

When does a discussion cross the line from exchange of ideas and information to politics? IMHO when the author begins to denigrate the ideas of the others, or personal attacks on other posters they have crossed the line of a discussion of political ideas to politicking. If the discussion grinds down to the Republican plan is better than the Democratic plan because……. And you would have to be an idiot to not see it……, when the only contribution to the conversation is to say the President is an idiot, Hillary is nothing more than a socialist shill….. Fred Thompson’s trophy wife…. Obama does not have enough gravitas….(oh that was Bush), Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and so on. (I tried to give equal time).

A discussion on Healthcare does not have to get political. Pointing out the plans of both parties, good and bad, is not, IMO, the type of political I had in mind. Calling someone a troll, idiot, stupid, right wing wacko, liberal socialist is. Difference personal attacks.

Someone starts a thread on SS, after three or four post someone finds it necessary to tell us how the Democrats sold us down the river, or the Republicans have trampled on the constitution and we are all being monitored. For me, that is when I would throw the No-Politics flag.