1869

I've shied away from political discussions for most of my life because a) everybody always gets mad and storms off to their respective corners, b) hard feelings develop and linger, or c) there's an all-out brawl.

And so with trepidation I entered into a conversation with a Texas friend about the issues of the day. It turned out to be a wonderfully spirited and very educational dialogue about the State of the Union and the Presidency. She is smart as a whip and our conversation went on for hours, days really, with banter back and forth about issues that matter most to us and our families. After about twenty discussions we emerged better at articulating our positions. She gave me something significant: a renewed confidence that earnest discussions can be had with people of differing philosophies without resorting to disparaging remarks. And walk away friends.

There's been similar discussions with a young man in Elk Grove who will be voting for the first time in this election. Intelligent banter and discussions I thought to be unique and primarily due to his political ideology tempered with optimism and promise. I remember those days! It's a fun intellectual workout to undergo his cross examinations and re-directs. He is smart and compassionate and his opinions are often fierce, but we always seem to come back for more. When he sways me, or I him, we do so with history, logic and reason.

Turns out I love discussing topics of the day. Pertinent stuff. It makes for a better citizenry to be able to discuss politically-charged issues without fear of someone trying to ram their philosophical ideologies down our throats. An open dialogue helps foster political awareness by listening to one another's perspectives. And discovered the fastest way to squelch open communication is to change a political debate into a political argument and try to win at all costs (i.e. by accusing the other of being  uninformed, inexperienced or unenlightened just because you disagree).

No matter. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution, 1869, guarantees each citizen one equal vote, one equal share, one equally weighted opinion. I will enjoy flaunting mine.