More flies with honey...

[blondechick]

If I were asked "What is your favorite color?" I would respond "Green". If asked "Why?" I would respond "because it is the color of grass, trees, and it makes me think of new life." One word answer with a short meaningful follow-up.

If favorite color were a political issue and if I answered without thinking it would be more like this: "Favorite color, well of course its green, who doesn't like green, all smart people like green." Why? "Why, why not, do you like another color? Your not one of those red people are you. You know what they say about people like who like red their ___. If you don't like green then your a ____. (no offense to people who like red.)

My point is why does this occur? It doesn't change opinions, I look like a raving loony, and the people who like red hate me. What causes this agressive, passionate response? How does it look to independent voters? (please respond) Is the old saying still true? You will catch more flies with honey than vinager. Or are we cutting off the nose to spite the face?

 

[Turtle]

My point is why does this occur?

For the same reason that there is more than one Christian denomination, or for that matter, more than one religion. People have a need to have their thoughts and feelings validated by others. There is safety in numbers. The more people who also think like me, the more likely it is that I'm right. Right? Yes, of course. And if that's true, then the more people I can convince and convert to think like me, then my validation becomes even more validated, and if you don't think like me, well, then you're just wrong. Wrong, I tell you, wrong!

It doesn't change opinions, I look like a raving loony, and the people who like red hate me.

That's because while you're trying to convince them to think like you, they're doing the same thing right back at ya.

You will catch more flies with honey than vinager. Or are we cutting off the nose to spite the face?

I love a good mixed metaphor.

The notion, in politics, of catching more flies with honey than vinegar is one of appeasement, and one of honey'd-up no convictions. Fact is, you catch more flies with shіt than vinegar or honey, which is why we have to cut off our nose (moral integrity) to spite our face (winning others to our side) so that we don't smell our own stink. Then we have to convince others to do the same thing (to validate ourselves).

 

[blondechick]

Excellent reply, Turtle. I love it. You reminded me of the metaphor I forgot: Like flies on stink. LOL Safety in numbers does appeal to my instinctual nature. Fight or flight response does kick in when my principles are attacked. So, elections can bring out the Neanderthal in us all. I just hope the lynch mob mentality doesn't scare away curious undecided independent voters. Churches can split and new religions can form, but we have only one country. After this ugly election mess is over we all have to get back to the business of being Americans.

 

[layoutshooter]

Well blondechic, it has been my experiance that when a socialist offers me honey it is always just the bait on a trap. I too used to think we were all Americans too, not any longer. The lack of moral fiber in our polititions and the general public is almost scary. No longer to values matter. It's sad but true. I am just very happy I am on the down side of the hill of life rather than the up side. I don't really want to see what I think is coming down the track. Layoutshooter