We’re Best Friends and Politically Opposite :: How We Maintain Our Views, Sanity and Friendship
By: Tara Rosenkranz & Becky Meany Schmalz
There are some topics we will intentionally NOT address here because the spirit of this post is not to debate who is “right” but rather demonstrate that friendships can prosper across party lines. We CAN maintain our views, sanity and friendships.
Same Core Values
Particularly during election season, it’s important to remember that we can each be passionate without having disdain. The two of us have known each other for a long time and we didn’t know each other’s political views before we became close friends. With the rise of social media and hot-button topics in the forefront of many conversations, we are often aware of someone’s political alignment before we know them as a human. Judgements are made and people aren’t given a chance to show who they are as a person before being condemned. We are living in an age of unfriending and it’s going to be our downfall. We truly believe that the reason we stay so close and have dramatically different political beliefs is that we both want what’s best for Americans: economic prosperity for all, access to quality education and healthcare, inclusivity and equality, job growth… the list goes on. We generally have the same goals – we simply don’t agree how to get there.
Economic Prosperity
Both of us want our cities, state and country to prosper and be economically stable. We want those around us to be have unlimited opportunities and the ability to provide for their families. We both want plentiful jobs and safe careers. We want fair pay and job security.
A great final article and something we should all aspire to. We can all be better than the division that is way too prevalent in this day and age. You two are a testament to what we can and should be. I will miss your articles Tara. ❤️