Facebook kind of crept up on me. I thought it was ludicrous at first, that people were being narcissistic, and yes, I was right. But its turned out to be a great, easy way to keep up with my friends around the world, what they are reading and doing, what they 'like' and dislike.
I made the mistake of accepting 'Friend' requests from people I have not seen in 40 years, but have fond memories of from school days. A fair number of these have turned out to be wingnuts and borderline racists. Thankfully, there's almost an equal number who are way left of center like I am.
Still, since I don't watch television and spend weeks at a time away from the majority culture it does help me stay in touch with what those who disagree with me are thinking.
A number of these 'friends' have bought the meme that government is bad and business is good, and that businessmen should be the preferable choice for public office over those with government experience.
Having spent part of working life in business and part as a public employee (HS teacher), I do NOT agree with their take on this.
Sometimes I have trouble voicing why I believe this way in a short rejoinder on Facebook.
Today Obama, via the LATimes gave me a perfect rejoinder:
“My opponent, Gov. Romney – his main calling card for why he thinks he should be president is his business experience. He’s not going out there touting his experience in Massachusetts,” Obama said. “He’s saying, 'I'm a business guy. I know how to fix it.' And this is his business. When you’re president as opposed to the head of a private equity firm, your job is not simply to maximize profits. Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot.”
Photo link