Terminology - Sticks and Stones

A few days ago I posted my reasons for planning to vote Democratic on Tuesday. In that piece I used the term "Republicants" as a response to the habit of GOP members to call my party Democrat instead of Democratic.

My intent was to make a point with a bit of humor. Response to my post caused me to second guess the use of this word. The attention of those opposing my positions tended to focus more on this one word than the points I was trying to make. My own, visceral response to the term "Democrat Party" should have warned me that would happen. Not long ago I listened to an interview with a Republican candidate on the radio. Much of what he said sounded reasonable and well-thought out. But he kept interjecting the term "Democrat Party" into his responses and every time he did, it made me less inclined to accept him at face value. For that reason, I have reconsidered using the term "Republicant."

I established this blog to state my positions (opinions) on issues that matter to me, hopefully in a manner that will convince those who differ to at least consider another side of those issues. Most opponents will be unmoved by my prose, some will react with anger and vitriol no matter how much logic and temperance I employ, but perhaps some few will pause and think "so that's where the other side is coming from."

I try to listen to different viewpoints. I even occasionally adjust my thinking after listening to those viewpoints. I do not come to my positions lightly and I do not expect others lightly to come by theirs. Screaming at each other in an attempt to drown each other out solves nothing, but oh, it is an easy pitfall in which to fall. I know it well. It is the reason I stated my intention to try to tamp down on my own tendency to rant when starting this blog.