Why So Insulting?

The upcoming presidential election has really sparked a lot of interest with people on all sides of the issues. I've never been one to hide that my views fall way more on the liberal side of things. I am a huge supporter of gay marriage and I believe in a woman's right to choose. As far as some of the foreign policy and economy issues that we face, I'm the first to admit that I am not as well informed. I know that our economy and housing market is in the crapper right now. I really can't be much more detailed than that.

We all have our differences of opinion. I agree with my parents on almost all of the issues but we tend to feel differently on others. The thing is, when we talk about them, we're respectful. We don't criticize the other side for thinking the way they do nor do we throw insults. We will never get 100% of the people to agree on an issue 100% of the time.

I happen to know someone who I feel I cannot have a reasonable conversation with, and now that politics are a daily topic, it has become worse. I used to feel that our conversations were a bit awkward, but now it has turned into a big, heaping ball of insults thrown our way because we don't share the same opinions that they do. For goodness sake...I don't even really like politics! I know that Lance and my sister feel the same way. I won't name who they are out of respect. It has gotten so bad at times that I don't even know how I'm going to talk to this person the next time I see them. He/She is an extreme conservative who feels that all liberals are "friggin' idiots" and that the only good thing about liberals is that they all die eventually. This is just a very small sample of the things that we have heard over the last few months. It has gotten worse, but I won't go into it.

The point is, I'm furious. As much as I don't agree with most of the conservatives, I would NEVER EVER call them names or try to push their buttons to insult them. This person also considers themself to be a Christian. I was taught to be tolerant of others. I was taught to be respectful to others. I'm starting to learn now, though, that respect is to be earned. My respect for this person is dwindling, and so is my patience.

I just don't understand it. We wonder why there is so much hate in the world.