“Where Have All Your Opinions Gone?”

In the year 2025 I have only written two blogpost which it can be said fairly to have been even remotely about politics. One was about the wildfires in Pacific Palisades when I mentioned two California politicians by name. The other was a brief history of my relationship with Inauguration Day and my general lack of interest as the years have passed. That’s it. This despite the most target-rich environment for politics-driven writing that has ever existed. My social media feeds are chocked full of lamentations and celebrations. I see arguments almost every day between people I have known for years about the Trump/Musk administration’s actions. Many people I know are terrified and outraged by what they see. Others are thrilled and couldn’t be happier with events in Washington DC. I have people from both camps at my church, in my neighborhood and even in my own large and opinionated family. In that way I suppose I am typically American at the moment. But, my lack of posts about politics is no accident, it has been a conscious choice.

Sometimes it is difficult. I will be scrolling on Facebook or Instagram and run across a particularly duplicitous statement by someone presenting himself as an expert. I think to myself, “What a moron!” Then I put my finger on the leave a message prompt, preparing my sarcastic rebuttal. But I stop, take a breath, and move along with my life. It was a hard lesson for me to learn—that not every idea, notion or opinion that appears in my head needs to be shared with the world. It’s not my job to correct all of the world’s asshattery. If it were, I would literally be at my laptop 24/7. So, I’ve learned to let things go. Let others argue until their fingers are raw. But it’s not just the sheer volume of Tomfoolery out there, it’s also the very salient point that I have never seen anyone’s opinion change after a Facebook debate. Never once. It is ultimately a fool’s errand to engage in political debates with highly partisan people—who happen to be the kinds of people who are most likely to want to engage in political debates. You will not change their minds and they will not change yours. In most cases you will walk away from such online encounters angrier and more divided than you were when it started.

On the positive side of the ledger is the undeniable fact that I have found myself much happier having learned to disengage myself from the barricades. I’ve discovered that I can live around people with whom I profoundly disagree about politics. I have no doubt that I have friends and family who must look at me at times and wonder, “What is wrong with him?! Meanwhile, I often think about some people and wonder, “How in the world can they possibly support THAT?!” I’m learning just how difficult it is to give grace to others. But I’m also learning how absolutely vital it is to human flourishing to receive that same grace. It is the lubicating oil of human society. The more grace I am able to extend to others, the more I’m finding that I get back. It’s a beautiful thing.

So, in case you’re wondering where all my bitterly caustic political put downs have gone, well…they’re still in my head. I still read the news and think that our politics can’t possibly get any dumber. But I’ve had this blog for over 14 years now, most of you already know my views anyway. So, I’m taking a hard pass on all things pointless. I’d rather do some joy cultivation for a change.