As my desperation builds to turn the political tide in this country, I am increasingly setting aside cultural niceties, putting on my bravery boots, and letting neighbors and acquaintances know exactly what I think about the disaster that is the Bush administration. I've found a new tool to do this: My email sig line.
It's not polite to discuss politics with people who don't agree with you. And when you goof, playing your political banjo with the wrong person, as I have done, the discord can be painful. As political polarization continues in this country, it becomes increasingly difficult to talk politics with anyone who doesn't agree with your basic ideology. At least this is my experience.
My political message now goes out with every email I send, and sometimes, oops, it goes out to people who would prefer to stay in the dark. It goes out with totally innocous emails that say things like, "Thanks so much for your help! I appreciate it!"
Is this communication strategy passive-aggressive? I can see how someone might make that argument. But passive-aggressive behavior avoids a fair and reasonable conversation. As fair and reasonable conversations are nearly impossible at this point, I'd say the the sig-line-turned-political-message is a reasonable alternative. Think of it as a bumper sticker. Any thoughts?