Don't be a sucker

I have a problem with blind ideology. I'm not going to toe the line of one political writer or idea, and neither should you. Just because someone made a cool meme or bumper sticker that attempts to dumb down a message into a couple of sentences, that doesn't mean you have to post it to social media or the back glass of your vehicle.

Whether it is left, right or other, you're being sold something, literally or figuratively. You're being counted on for a vote for a candidate, and giving free promotion to a product (blog, website, book, etc) or idea. Not that there's necessarily something absolutely wrong with that, but at least go into it with your eyes open, and don't be afraid to have a view that different from others. Don't let political figures, or the people selling you their idea of what you need to believe, don't let them dictate your beliefs. Is it true because it's actually true, and backed up with facts and links? Or is it "true" because some hack writer who is making money from Examiner.com or some other site that pays for web traffic, is it because they say it's true and you should share it?

I have some friends and family members, bless their hearts, who believe and share anything and everything that reconfirms their biases. Whether it is conservative or liberal, if it backs up what they already think, I hear it parroted back at me almost verbatim from what was on Fox News or MSNBC, or some social media site that same day. Not all liberals are selfless, noble knights on white horses and not all conservatives or libertarians are selfish Ayn Rand worshipers who would put your 8 year old kid to work in a factory if they could. Yet, selling this one size fits all narrative of what the "enemy" stands for is how the status quo makes money and keeps power.

Think for yourself and take the time to research a story. Don't be afraid to be skeptical and go outside the box. After all, isn't that what being progressive is about to begin with?