I think it’s super important for people to be able to have those conversations gently and with grace. Like you said often times we are concerned about similar or same things but how we feel those problems should be solved are different. It doesn’t mean that those thoughts aren’t thoroughly worked through just because there is disagreement. I hope that everyone that reads this post can try to see others through that light. If you vote for Trump, that doesn’t mean you’re a monster. If you vote for Kamala it doesn’t mean you’re a monster. Unless you’re of course actually a monster however that is not dependent on your vote. If you claim that love for humanity is leading your vote then your treatment of someone that disagrees with you should reflect what you claim to cherish. I hope more people lead with grace as it seems to be written here in this post. Thank you Emily.
Great post Emily! There is so much that goes into the choices we make at the ballot box. I know that for me, it happens to distill down to personal freedom. Who wants me to have it and who wants to take it away from people? I never want to someone else to choose for me so in turn I want others to choose for themselves. There are other things as well but my ability to be fully in control of my own person is extremely important to me. (Insofar as it doesn’t impede someone else from being in control of their own person).
Love this, Emily! I am hopeful that by emphasizing nuanced and thoughtful perspectives more people will step back from the name calling, talking point parroting discourse we have today. That's unhelpful and exhausting. Thanks for shining a light on a better way to think about how we vote!
Thank you for writing this. Bravo to encouraging more nuance, and gentle and thoughtful discussion around issues that affect us all. The kinder and more understanding we are toward each other - even if we disagree politically - the better it is for the country.
I think it’s also important to remember that campaigns are ultra-political and promises made are not always promises kept. The biggest indicator of future behavior is past behavior. When you examine candidates, locally or nationally, look at their voting history. Look at what they have actually voted for, bills they have sponsored, change they have championed. This is often eye-opening.
So grateful for your voice, Emily! Have been following you for over a decade now and have had a very similar political awareness shift alongside you - you’re saying all the things I couldn’t eloquently put together and using your platform to encourage others to think. Thank you 💗
I love this! This is the part that stuck with me - "Which policies will help your own vision for your life and family flourish? Which policies will do that for you—and also not harm anyone else’s ability to choose flourishing for themselves and their family?" - It doesn't have to directly affect me to be important.
Yes, that's so important. It's so easy to sometimes slip into the issues that are right in front of us. But looking beyond ourselves really does help bring perspective.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much, Emily. My political views have shifted tremendously in the last several years. Your post has motivated me to be a bit more open about how my values align with today’s politics. Thank you. 💙
Thanks, Cindy!! I really feel like we are all so much more alike than we are different - even if we vote for different parties or values. Sometimes I wish it was easier to recognize that commonality.
Thank you so much for this post! I think it’s so important that people remember what really matters, core values and beliefs! You did such a good articulating this! Thank you for your words and wisdom!
I think it’s super important for people to be able to have those conversations gently and with grace. Like you said often times we are concerned about similar or same things but how we feel those problems should be solved are different. It doesn’t mean that those thoughts aren’t thoroughly worked through just because there is disagreement. I hope that everyone that reads this post can try to see others through that light. If you vote for Trump, that doesn’t mean you’re a monster. If you vote for Kamala it doesn’t mean you’re a monster. Unless you’re of course actually a monster however that is not dependent on your vote. If you claim that love for humanity is leading your vote then your treatment of someone that disagrees with you should reflect what you claim to cherish. I hope more people lead with grace as it seems to be written here in this post. Thank you Emily.
Great post Emily! There is so much that goes into the choices we make at the ballot box. I know that for me, it happens to distill down to personal freedom. Who wants me to have it and who wants to take it away from people? I never want to someone else to choose for me so in turn I want others to choose for themselves. There are other things as well but my ability to be fully in control of my own person is extremely important to me. (Insofar as it doesn’t impede someone else from being in control of their own person).
Love this, Emily! I am hopeful that by emphasizing nuanced and thoughtful perspectives more people will step back from the name calling, talking point parroting discourse we have today. That's unhelpful and exhausting. Thanks for shining a light on a better way to think about how we vote!
Thanks so much, Kelly!
Thank you for writing this. Bravo to encouraging more nuance, and gentle and thoughtful discussion around issues that affect us all. The kinder and more understanding we are toward each other - even if we disagree politically - the better it is for the country.
I think it’s also important to remember that campaigns are ultra-political and promises made are not always promises kept. The biggest indicator of future behavior is past behavior. When you examine candidates, locally or nationally, look at their voting history. Look at what they have actually voted for, bills they have sponsored, change they have championed. This is often eye-opening.
Fantastic point!!!!! 👏
So grateful for your voice, Emily! Have been following you for over a decade now and have had a very similar political awareness shift alongside you - you’re saying all the things I couldn’t eloquently put together and using your platform to encourage others to think. Thank you 💗
Thanks, Ann!! I appreciate that!
I love this! This is the part that stuck with me - "Which policies will help your own vision for your life and family flourish? Which policies will do that for you—and also not harm anyone else’s ability to choose flourishing for themselves and their family?" - It doesn't have to directly affect me to be important.
Yes, that's so important. It's so easy to sometimes slip into the issues that are right in front of us. But looking beyond ourselves really does help bring perspective.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much, Emily. My political views have shifted tremendously in the last several years. Your post has motivated me to be a bit more open about how my values align with today’s politics. Thank you. 💙
Thanks, Cindy!! I really feel like we are all so much more alike than we are different - even if we vote for different parties or values. Sometimes I wish it was easier to recognize that commonality.
Thank you for this thoughtful post. So good.
Thanks, Michelle!!
Thank you so much for this post! I think it’s so important that people remember what really matters, core values and beliefs! You did such a good articulating this! Thank you for your words and wisdom!
Thanks, Elspeth!