Conversational Politics

You know what has always kind of chapped my ass? When people say that religion and politics are subjects to be avoided in social conversations (i.e. Date's or dinner parties). I don't understand this... and perhaps it's because I'm the only girl I know that loves her shoes and politics equally... and I do loves me my shoes, but really, why not? These are some intensely interesting subjects. No?
On a date, for instance. I'm not really all that concerned with what your favourite color is.... or what your 5 year plan is...well at least not on the first 4 dates, which about as far as I ever let anything get with a date anyways. Why shouldn't I ask the hard hitting questions, and really get to know someone, instead of trying to figure out if having the favourite color of blue makes someone calm and serene or emotional or flakey. "So, who are you rooting for in the next American election?" .......umm hello! The answer, and the explanation of said answer is highly important. I don't really care if it's the same as my answer or for the same reasons.
I care that it's not a stupid answer.
Look at how much you can learn from someone just by their answers. Let's say they say: "I'm voting for Barack because I think it's time to see a minority in the white house."
Then you know that they're stupid and you can walk away without feeling any guilt.
I suppose I should clarify this point. I do agree that it's time to see a minority in the white house, however I don't believe that should be the sole merit on which someone is voted in. I believe that it's time to have all citizens have equal opportunity to education and the political system requirements, and that they be judged on their merit, rather than thier skin color or gender. Unfortunately, saying that they should be in the white house because someone is a minority, is just as bad for equality, even equity in the long sighted version, as it is to say that they shouldn't be able to run. (Don't even get me started on what Obama HASN'T done for the equalization of socioeconomic disadvantage in minority populations).

Therefore, they're stupid, and you can walk away.

If they say... I'm voting for john McCain because he was a POW for 7 years and I think that we are in the middle of a war and I think military experience is important in the head of the largest military in the world...

Then.... THEN you might actually have an interesting conversation over your bigmac and slurpy (I'm so joking... my dates do not take me to McDonalds. Spaghetti factory or bust).

And I'm not saying this because I'm a republican. Because I'm not. I'm a HUGE Democrat. Well, I would be if i lived and voted in the United States, but since I'm Canadian, I'm a liberal...a card carrying liberal (sorry Dad). However, American politics effect us as much as Americans, and I'm pretty sure, sad but true, that more Canadians know the names of Obama and McCain than they do the leader of our official opposition.... it's Dion (as in Celiene... but it's not her.. he just has her name), in case you were wondering.

So there you have it, a great debate, and a chance to see how smart and socially aware your date is, while showing him your side of the coin. I love it.

And if you're really into pushing the envelope on a first date, as I am, try to combine religion AND politics. It's really not that hard.
If you're American: "So, how do you feel about the fact that we condemn other nations for their use of religion in government, when our current president is evoking Christianity as a reason for terminating stem cell research?"

If you're Canadian, because we're not perfect as much as I'd really like to believe it: "So, how do you feel about our current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, saying that Gay Marriage would mock the institution of marriage so much that eventually we would legalize Polygamy which would lead to bestiality, and someone attempting to marry their cow or dog?"

ya... it happened. I'm not big on the whole Polygamy thing, and we will talk about that in another post, but I don't see how marrying multiple humans would induce someone to marry their dog..."

I am big on the whole gay marriage thing... equal rights!

I should stop now.

KK.