We don't have to agree, in order to agree

Firstly, I don't have an issue with Linkedin, as a platform for political views. I know from what I read on here, that some people vehemently disagree with me, this is absolutely fine and I, 100% respect your right to disagree.

I do believe that politics, and business are intrinsically linked and, the impact and effect that one has on the other is both undeniable and in need of discussion. I for one, as I seek to learn, especially as a guest in this country, welcome the views, opinions and information shared.

However, this is not a political piece and I'm not going to talk about my own personal views on various legislations, laws or policies. I simply want to talk about my right to have those views, however they may conflict with others, as long as they are not incendiary or illegal.

More than I could possibly take issue, with Linkedin as a platform for politics, I take issue with it as a platform for hate, aggression or even basic insults. Purely due to the shear volume of responses and reactions it had garnered, I was recently drawn to a very positive comment, that one user had made about the recently replaced POTUS, the polarizing Mr Trump. However, I was left stunned, once I got into many of the comments posted, the subsequent narrative they fueled and the spiral into some kind of, online bar fight, that was the final result.

Ironically, a large selection of the aggressors, at both extremes of opinion, repeatedly flung the word 'democracy', into their individual rhetoric, leading me to believe the word has somehow become, open for interpretation? Surely a key factor, in a state elected government, is the ability for that state, to debate, discuss, disagree and attempt to persuade others to your way of thinking, in-between the electoral process. Of course, we wish others were aligned with our way of thinking, but I guarantee that nobody's thinking was ever swayed, by an attack on their way of life, intellect or core values. I personally miss debate and, I am completely open to the prospect that I may be wrong in many areas of my thinking, I welcome such education, which is how it should be viewed, as opposed to being proven wrong.

In short, I am not sure that any political party, can bring unity, peace or respect to a broader population, from an ivory tower in Washington, or London, or Berlin etc. One would hope that our leaders would set an example, but ultimately it is on us to set the daily standard of how we treat each other, which as a rule is the way we would like to be treated ourselves. If we can do our best to go about daily life in this way, should we agree with each other or not, then maybe we can be the ones that set the example to ourselves, our community and OUR government.

Start today, respond positively, or with a sincere question, to something you disagree with. Maybe even this article? I look forward to meeting you.