Just because someone is against homosexual marriage does not mean they “hate” homosexuals.
Just because someone believes the government should recognize homosexual marriage does not mean their intent is to destroy the institution of marriage.
Just because someone is against abortion does not mean they simply want to strip away women’s rights.
Just because someone is pro-choice does not mean that they think human life is less important than anyone else.
Just because someone is against Obama-Care does not mean that they do not care about the health care needs of the poor.
Just because someone is for Obama-Care does not mean that they hate the wealthy.
Just because someone is a Christian does not mean that they are making judgments of those who are not.
Just because someone is Islamic does not mean that they want to bring Sharia law to America.
Just because someone is atheist does not mean they want to trample on others freedom to practice religion.
Just because someone is against gun control does not mean that they are any less saddened and sick when someone dies of gun violence.
Just because someone is for gun control does not mean that their intent is to bring us closer to a police state.
It is well past the time that we started acting as a nation united, although with different values and opinions, and not as a nation of enemies. Our leaders need to set that example and STOP painting their political opposites as villains and scoundrels. We, the common folk, need to stop doing this in our personal lives. We need to debate with love and respect. We need to demand our leaders do the same. We need to send a message to our leaders that we expect them to act as adults in their debating and campaigning. We need to let our leaders know we expect the best of them at all times.
It would be foolish to say that if we were able to accomplish this, then tragedies like the one yesterday would never happen. But, I believe, that if we could change our culture to be one of loving and respecting our ideological opposites, then that positive vibe will trickle down to those who are filled with such rage and they may choose to get help rather than hurt the innocent.
