There is a big difference between disagreeing on issues and getting along versus trying to make each other look bad and insulting people over the differences of opinion. It is possible to debate without slinging insults.
This brings me to the topic of "waffling", which some politicians are accused of. I sometimes hear it called waffling when one person wants A, another wants B, and they agree on C, which is actually compromise or negotiation. Compromise and negotiation are the best methods of conflict resolution. If someone does either though, they are "waffling", rather than using good communication and conflict resolution.
There is another thing that a lot of people don't seem to realize about bills that go through the House and Senate (for both state and federal bodies). You can really believe that A should happen but another group believes A is really a bad idea. You also believe that B is a very bad thing and there is no way you'd vote for it. Often, the bill that addresses A suddenly gets B attached to it. This happens frequently, taking on extra stuff to a major bill. You might have to vote against A because you are so vehemently opposed to B, even though you totally agree with A. Voting on a bill is rarely cut and dried. The parties (BOTH parties) manipulate each other this way, trying to stick on something that they want to something they know the other party wants more.
Lastly, if you've never had an opinion, then changed it, because your life experience changed you, or you received more information that changed your opinion, then you've been very closed minded. People do change opinions as they gain experience and knowledge and this doesn't make them bad people, it makes them wise people.
Dee
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