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What we can learn from a sixteen year old in this election season

2008 election image Having just commented on a blog about political posts, noting that I would rather alienate potential clients now than after 6 expensive months into a listing or buyer agreement, I am posting this political viewpoint.

How can we NOT have a political viewpoint? This country was founded on democracy; women fought hard to have their voices legally heard and minorities too! Should it be separate from business? Yes, if you cannot be tolerant of another person's reasonable views, but I then wonder how you can be a realtor since we have so many codes of ethics that require us by our licenses to be tolerant of everyone. If you are faking your tolerance, then maybe you should find a new career. Just a thought.

political conversations I had a discussion with a realtor in my office the other day who I knew was pretty much aligned with my beliefs and while we were discussing the political climate, another realtor walked by and joined us. I suspected there would not be a similarly amenable conversation should politics continue to be the topic. To my shock and surprise, my first friend came right out and asked our other friend who she was voting for. She hesitated just a moment and stated her choice, then was asked to defend her decision. She did. We nodded, then she said, "Convince me. Why do you feel that your candidate is the right choice?"

That led to a wonderful discussion with each of us voicing our agreements and disagreements, noting that we didn't know all the details of our candidates past votes, for and against. The conversation was lively and extremely civilized. I don't think anyone changed their minds about the other candidate but we all now have a better understanding of why each of us plans to vote the way we plan to vote.

That sixteen year old in the title line? My daughter. She is studying Advanced Placement Government right now in her high school and her teacher has told them they are extremely privileged to be doing so at this point in time, when what they are learning can have such concrete examples. Tonight my daughter and I watched the VP debate and she was able to comment on points I could not have at her age. She knew enough about the topics to be able to refute some facts and question others. At one point, she said, "I read in the Washington Post today..." and I just looked at her.... I know when I was sixteen I was not reading the Washington Post - my family did subscribe to Time and US News & World Report and scores of other publications and I read them all so I wasn't ignorant, but I did not have the fervor I see in my daughter today. This is her future more than any of ours. She cares; she is just too young to vote. the future

This election is big. Big isn't even a big enough word. Life-changing? For her it could be. Earth-shattering? The consequences could be. Landslide? I hope so. I hope so for her.

Posted by Susan Walters on 10/02/2008 11:40 PM

Comments (10)

Politics and Real Estate in the Regional (Localism) Channel

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10 Comments on What we can learn from a sixteen year old in this election season

OCT

2008

Great Points Susan - BUT I noticed you didn't share who YOU were voting for...:-)

Thanks Liz, and for the record, I would have loved to see Hillary be the chosen Democratic candidate but am completely behind Barack Obama, particularly after his choice of Joe Biden for a running mate - now THAT was a brilliant move.

I like your story. You are not alone I back the Obama/Biden ticket. I thought Obama inviting his VP into the room to help make decisions from a 35 year Senate Veteren shows he really cares about making the right decisions for the country.

Susan - What a wonderful post and such a switch from the other "political" posts I read here in AR - which usually end in slinging mud. I recieved my Bachelor's Degree in Poli Sci (with High Honors) and, unfortunetly, have more faith in your 16 year old daughter than I do in the system right now.

Thanks Earl, I think what you said is the exact reasons so many of us are behind Obama/Biden - new ideas combined with experience in the team.

OCT

2008

Hi "KMG"! I have an older daughter too, a senior at the University of Michigan who is a live-in employee of a professor there. The topic turned to politics at dinner this evening she said and although he believes Obama will win, he also commented that he fears for his countrymen. I questioned her on what his fear was and she clarified - the uninformed voters. It is fine to hold a position when you have sought out the truth on the topic but too many people go with the carefully orchestrated soundbites. I am preparing for a nail-biter till the end but hoping for a landslide to send a very, very clear message.

P.S. I am not always so nice in expressing political viewpoints. :/ Perhaps this office exchange will soften my responses and my 16 year old will teach me to "seek first to understand."

OCT

2008

Hi Susan... What a wonderful post (and not just because I support your politics). Your posts about your kids always make me think to myself, "Wow, these kids were really raised well." I've said it before on a post about your son... You have good reason to be proud of your kids!

Thanks Steve - my husband and I are aware of how very, very lucky we are in the way our children have grown and matured. I've heard it said that parenting is the most difficult job in the world if you are planning to do it right. It can also be the most rewarding. Now cross your fingers for election day! (I am hoping my son got his absentee ballot in time....)

OCT

2008

Your candidate is untested and we really know very little about him except for the details of his personal life. A vote for him is a vote in the dark.

I appreciate your point of view Janie but after weighing all the options of each candidate (and their running mates) I have no fear in voting for Obama. For years I said that if I were to leave my Democratic base I would strongly consider John McCain since until recent years he has been so solid and sensible but I don't believe he has what our country needs now. Choosing Sarah Palin was the last straw. As someone recently commented in a political discussion about her, she is dumb and arrogant, a very dangerous combination. We DON'T know if she would ever be called upon to assume the presidency but I DO know that if Joe Biden were called upon, we could rest easy. With Sarah Palin....no comment. I say give the "new guy" with education, Washington experience, and a straight-laced family a chance. The negative ads? Read the fine print. If you want to, you will see the truth.

P.S. My husband was laid off from his job yesterday after 20 years of exemplary service with the same automotive firm. We have moved several times for his company, including internationally. He has held positions in multiple departments and was doing the work of 3 employees, about to take on the work of a 4th employee when he was hit yesterday. Three months ago he received an excellent performance review and a raise. His department was growing, profitable, well-funded. He is 53 years old, 1.5 years from eligibility for 1/2 pension. I am quite sure that the CEOs of both Ford and Visteon made handsome salaries and welcomed many additional perks during the time of his employment and during these last few years of downsizing. We are not in the $5,000,000 middle class that John McCain talks about. (We know how many homes we own - one, sort of, via mortgage - and cars, total: one 2007 Mercury Mariner - minimally equipped and bought as a demo, one 1999 Ford Taurus, one 1987 Ford Tempo.) We are not even the $250,000 "Joe the plumber" that John McCain talks about. Just like Christmas morning, I prefer to be surprised and delighted with the unknown. The unknown/untested is Barack Obama. I believe it beats the the known of John McCain - you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. We know all of his tricks.

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