Dear Friend, 

I have a confession.  Wait for iiiiiitttt….

I don’t believe the same things you do.

(Shocked?)

 I probably do something on a regular basis that you are vehemently against, as you probably also do things that I wouldn’t choose to do.  My house doesn’t look like yours.  My family doesn’t look like yours.  My work ethic doesn’t look like yours.  My recreation doesn’t look like yours.  My birth control doesn’t look like yours.  My dinner plate doesn’t look like yours.  (I could do this all day).  And believe it or not, my voting ballot (once filled out) won’t look like yours either. 

But I still like you and I hope you still like me.

I want to talk to you about politics.

First of all, I never talk about politics, so this should be exciting for you.  And second of all, there is a reason I never talk about politics:

I don’t believe the same things as you.

BUT!

I like you.   

And I want to continue liking you, so I would ask that you would please consider the political things you post on a regular basis.  And it’s not because you’re voting differently than me that upsets me.  It’s how you feel about the guy you aren’t voting for.  (I am talking to liberals and conservatives alike here, so don’t think I am singling out a particular party.)  If you say so and so is a douchebag because he believes x and so and so is an idiot because he believes y, it just makes me think you aren’t very nice.  And we’re friends because I have indeed, in the past found you to be very nice and I like you.  Don’t destroy my high and kind opinion of you.

So let’s talk specifically about the dudes that are running.  Mitt and Barack.  Let’s call them by their first names, because, well it feels more human.  And nice.  They are very different men.  Barack is black.  Mitt is White.  Mitt is a Mormon.  Barack is not a Mormon.  Barack thinks Democrat thoughts.  Mitt thinks Republican thoughts.  Barack has a wife and two daughters.  Mitt has a wife and five sons. Both Mitt and Barack have families that they love very much.  Both Mitt and Barack love America.  Both Mitt and Barack want to do the best that they can for the country.   If I didn’t know Barack and I met him at the grocery store, I would be nice to him.  If Mitt was in the produce section I might tell him how to find a ripe cantaloupe if he didn’t know. If Barack asked for directions, I would give them to him.  If Mitt said, "can you hold my place in line while I go use the restroom?" I would do it.  

And even though I don’t believe the same as Barack or Mitt, I would still like them and be nice to them.  Because guess what?

They are both people trying to do the best with what they can.  They are both members of the human family.  They are both residents of this planet we call Earth.  Citizens of the same awesome country.  They are people just like you and me.  Just trying to make a life and make a difference.  Teach your children this also.  My eight year old asked me the other day if a certain candidate was a bad man.  I said to her, "that person believes __________.  He thinks that is what is best for America.  I don’t believe the same way so I am not voting for him.  He is not a bad man, he just has different beliefs."  She accepted this and I was glad about it.

I don’t like everything you do and you don’t like everything I do I am sure.  You might think that I have too many kids, or that I eat too much meat, or I go to church too Mormon-y.  But we’re friends because of all the other stuff we like together.  I love Halloween!  (Maybe you do too).  I love my family.  (You do too?)  I enjoy a good song.  I like the arts.  I like pinterest.  I have a messy house.  I sing in the shower.  I like pina coladas (virgin ones).  I enjoy a good thunderstorm and a good cupcake.  I like to read.  I like people with all their quirks and eccentricities. I like you!  

We aren’t the same.  But we’re friends.  I hope you know that however I vote or don’t vote, I still like you!  Please lead me to believe we can still be friends by facebooking responsibly and respectfully.  And also don’t put naked pictures of yourself up there.  No one has so far, but let’s keep it that way.