Friends With The Enemy

I recently held a conversation with a stranger about the need for tolerance of political differences among people. Although we had very different views, we agreed that people place too high of importance on people's political preferences.

Our conversation led to discussing AmeriCorps and the liberal majority that volunteer. I, a conservative, think AmeriCorps is highly beneficial and proactive in their programs. The program does attract many liberal volunteers, but I was not bothered by being outnumbered. I volunteered with people who held different political views, but it did not matter because we were serving a greater purpose: to help those in need.

All to often, political differences create division and can stop the progress of helping people. If a person is strong in their beliefs, they will be able to stand firm in their beliefs, yet listen to the other side. Listening to other viewpoints not only educates a person, but gains respect from the talker.

Conservatives should hear what liberals have to say, and liberals need to listen the the views of conservatives. We all disagree at some point, and need to accept the differences. There is a time and a place to discuss politics. It does not need to be a battle in public service.