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7 Things I'm Done Arguing About With Conservatives
The 2016 presidential campaign was a political and emotional roller coaster, and just when it seemed like the country would finally get a break, Donald Trump won the election. The fallout created a lot of pretty mad and vocal liberals, like myself, who are 110 percent done trying to work with many Republicans' outdated and discriminatory beliefs. I'm done arguing with conservatives over these seven issues, because they're such no-brainers to me that I've already moved on to other things.
I spend a disproportionate amount of my time arguing with conservatives, so I've gotten pretty good at it. But when it comes to some political issues, I just don't even know what to say anymore. Things like comprehensive gender equality and affordable education make so much sense to me that I can't even get into an argumentative mindset to defend them. This list represents two of my basest beliefs about the world — people should be able to do what they want as long as they're not hurting anybody, and people have a responsibility to take care of others. If you agree with those two things, then you should feel pretty done arguing about these seven issues too.
Same Sex Marriage
You lost this battle y'all. The Supreme Court ruled on it and everything. It has nothing to do with your life, and you can certainly find a community that maintains the same heteronormative ideals as you. But just let other people do what they want — it's no skin off your nose.
Transgender People And Bathrooms
This one just always amazes me, because I can't imagine living a life so boring that you're really up in arms about who can use what bathrooms. Do you really not see the connection to racial segregation barely half a century ago? It was wrong then and it's wrong now.
The Gender Wage Gap
Granted, this concept does not always get explained very well. But if you remember back to childhood, it's very likely that your mom and all your friends' moms were almost always the ones who took time off work to go to doctors' appointments and drive carpool. If that doesn't seem like an issue to you, your problem is bigger than I can deal with right now.
Black Lives Matter Vs. All Lives Matter
It is a fact that black lives matter. It's a true statement that does not need any refutation or correction. It's just true.
The Dakota Access Pipeline
The United States can choose to walk away from fossil fuels at any time and invest in renewable energy resources, but corporate interests like those behind the DAPL are more interested in the money they can make than the environmental damage they may cause. The protests have nothing to do with "liberal snowflakes," they're about people, mostly Native Americans and the Standing Rock Sioux, trying to protect the Earth. Plus, if historically disenfranchised people are asking you not to do something, just like... don't do it.
Gun Control
Why is it so f*cking important for everyone to have access to guns!!!!! Why can't you give your $350 million dollars in yearly donations to the NRA to educate children or support veterans instead!!!!! Why is this the thing you have to get your knickers in a twist over!!!!!! Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Universal Healthcare
If everyone really deserves the same chances in life, then everyone deserves healthcare. The need to maintain physical health is one of the few things that all people have in common, so make the solution equally accessible to all.
As a new progressive generation rises, arguments over these issues will hopefully become less and less common. Until then, save your energy from arguments and put it towards creating change instead.
