I have always tried to maintain a very civilized and respectful tone here when discussing issues that are sometimes charged with emotion in the public arena. I have been reading the book Why We Whisper and I began to recognize that my efforts to be civil had resulted in my speaking a dialect that is not native to me – secularism. I recognize that my effort not to shout had resulted in a timid whispering of my opinions for which I would not like to be known. The result is that my declared stances are weakened by an often apologetic tone when I take a position on some issues. I have determined that I can no longer do that. From now on I will be more willing to state my positions without apology and without an effort to articulate my position using secular terminology.
I still intend to be civil in manner, but by abandoning the secular terminology I will not avoid taking positions that are considered politically incorrect. As I have in the past, I will still be open to changing my positions in the future when I have been convinced of an error but I will try to avoid situations where people might mistake my true position based on my whispered stances and open declarations of uncertainty.
I appologize in advance to any of my readers who might perceive my writing as becoming more partisan than it has been in the past. I don’t know where this will take me, but I know that I cannot bear to think of myself as one who whispers the truth as if I am afraid to offend anyone or afraid that my positions may come back to haunt me in the future.
In addition to this change to a less wavering voice, I have also determined that it is time for me to find a party to affilite with in order to become more engaged in the political process as a participant rather than just as a pundit. I am still in the process of deciding what party would most closely align with my goals because I intend to make a difference in shaping the way we actually conduct the business of government. I do not intend to participate only in order to say that "I’m a delegate" (or whatever level of participation I actually achieve). In other words, if I were a delegate, I would be active in shaping the party platform and holding elected officials accountable to that platform not simply attending and casting a vote at the convention.
I have a group of gardening friends (online) who live all over the world. They don’t really know much about my religion, although some have asked questions on occasion.
If I said, “my ward” or “primary”, they would have no idea what I was talking about. In the interest of understanding and respect for them, I use “congregation” and “children’s group”.
Maybe not exactly what you were talking about, but I think the same principle applies. It’s good that we don’t dither when talking to others about our beliefs, but I also think we need to be careful not to be so forceful that we’re ramming religion down other people’s throats.
One of my problems is that sometimes I don’t feel like I have the words to express exactly how I feel about something, so it doesn’t come out as clearly as I’d like it to. Perhaps that just means I need to spend more time thinking and less time speaking?
🙂
Become a Democrat, we need more balance in our (state) government.
I understand about the need to translate some of our unique terminology – this seems especially true of LDS culture – but we can easily water-down our position through that translation to the point that those who might be influenced by our moral position are unable to recognize our position in the first place.
I doubt that is quite as big an issue in the subject of gardening as it is in politics.
As for becoming a Democrat – that was my first reaction as well. I think that balance is critical in our state politics. There are two barriers for me to overcome before I could commit to that choice. First, the national Democratic party seems to embrace the secular dialect and that might limit my opportunities in the state or county parties depending on how closely they wish to align with the national party. Second, I have to consider the possibility that I might be able to have more success by working on the state and county Republican parties from the inside than I would in helping to build a competitive Democratic party. I really don’t know the answer to that second obstacle. If I become convinced that I can be effective in the local democratic circles then I would be happy to work there, but if I think that I would be an ineffective dissenting voice I would be tempted to join the Republican party so that my voice could make a difference (assuming that I felt I could make a difference within the Republican party – which I am not yet convinced of).
I do know that my preference is to align myself with a major party because what I have seen of the third parties suggests that I would have to carry them in order to carry out my goals for making a difference.
So … you’re making fun of the way I talk?
I understand your personal choice, David, and I welcome it. If you’re going to speak out, speak out in the voice that’s most comfortable to you. I do.
My voice, however, is pretty secular.
It’s probably one of the biggest problems I have with the current Right: they can’t express their love for their God, without pooping on everyone else’s.
I hope when you use your new voice, you can still show respect for people who are, and always shall be, different than you.
Except Greg Curtis. He’s got it coming. 🙂
Good luck with your decision. I know its not an easy one because I’ve been down that road myself. The trouble is that county, state and national platforms all differ. So which one do you use to make your decision? Your move out of Utah County may make things easier. For me, the Utah County Republican platform was just as troublesome as the National Democratic platform. If more citizens of the state were members of the Democratic party, could Utah national delegates have more influence on the national party? One thing, I am sure of–Utah needs thoughtful, articulate people like you participating in the discourse of public policy. Just having you involved will be a plus for the state regardless of the venue you choose. We really need a viable candidate to run against Howard Stephenson next time his seat is up for election but you’re no longer is the district. Darn.
Barbara,
Thanks for your support. You obviously understand the decision I’m facing. Of course I will be open about whatever decision I end up making.
JM,
As I said, I intend to remain civil. What I don’t know at this point is whether everyone will perceive me as civil when I take a position that is not rendered in secular terms.
By the way, are you giving me permission to not show respect for Greg Curtis, or are you saying that you don’t feel a need to? 😉
Bringing moderation to the republican party is certainly a worthy reason for joining.
I think if I lived in a state where things were not so one sided, I’d be unaffiliated or look at third parties.
Good luck figuring out what will work best for you!
The question is whether it can be done. If I decide to go Republican it will be because I have decided that it can be done (and it needs to be done at all levels). If I decided to go Democrat it will be because I honestly believe that the Democratic party can bring balance to the state.
Stay tuned, and thanks for the support.
David – On Curtis = Both
🙂
David,
Best of luck.
Unfortunately you have moved from the #1 most Republican county in America into #2. It really isn’t possible to have a legitimate role in selecting your local political leadership in Davis County unless you are are Republican. Sad but true. The recent commission election in Davis County was the final straw in my being convinced that if you aren’t a Republican you really have no significant voice in Davis County politics.
Jeremy,
You have a point. If J. Dell Holbrook could not get elected to the county commission as a Democrat, considering that he had previously served as a county commissioner and that he had the public endorsements of many well known Republicans, then the probability of being effective as a Democrat in Davis County is pretty slim.
That does not make my mind up, but it certainly cannot be ignored.
Interesting. I have been contemplating doing the opposite and dis-affiliating myself with any party. There is something to be said about demonstrating one’s values by parting ways when those values are no longer represented by the group.
Reach,
I totally agree. There is something to dis-affiliating. Of course there is little power in that if you have not previously affiliated. I have long maintained neutrality from all parties and I do not rule out the possibility that I may do so at some point in the future, but I believe that the proper choice for me at this time is to affiliate and see what positive effect is within my power.
If you choose to disaffiliate I would be interested to hear what benefits you perceive from that move (if any).