We spent some time Sunday afternoon with a couple of friends, playing cards and finding out what was going on with each other in the world. We dabbled for a few minutes with politics and Steve asked me if I had heard a Johnny Cash song called “The One on the Right is on the Left”.
I hadn’t. He played it. If you haven’t heard it you might want to play it as well. Despite the comedic irony, I wrestled with the words. Isn’t it interesting how great a divide politics can be? Isn’t it interesting how many assumptions we make about a person if we find out they are Republican, or Democrat, or Independent? Isn’t it interesting that the two primary political parties in our land have both spent millions of dollars convincing us that people of the opposite party fall into definite categories and creating an almost natural animosity to other individuals, solely on their political affiliation?
Does every Democrat believe in abortion? Is every Republican opposed to all abortion? Does every Democrat want guns taken away from the individual, and does every Republican want to carry an automatic weapon all the time and in every situation?
True, the Republican and Democratic platforms differ a great deal, but to assume that every card-carrying member of the opposite party believes every plank in the platform is presumptuous and judgmental.
I guess, the bottom line is that every human being was created in the image of God (although not everyone believes that) and deserves my respect. Opinions can vary, but respect for each person is Constitutional, Biblical, and just makes sense.
Hit it, Johnny!
There once was a musical troupe, a pickin' singin' folk group
They sang the mountain ballads and the folk songs of our land.
They were long on musical ability, folks thought they would go far
But political incompatibility led to their downfall
Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear was a Methodist.
This musical aggregation toured the entire nation
Singing the traditional ballads and the folk songs of our land.
They performed with great virtuosity and soon they were the rage
But political animosity prevailed upon the stage
Well, the one on the right was on the left
And the one in the middle was on the right
And the one on the left was in the middle
And the guy in the rear burned his driver's license.
Well, the curtain had ascended, a hush fell on the crowd
As thousands there were gathered to hear the folk songs of our land.
But they took their politics seriously and that night at the concert hall
As the audience watched deliriously, they had a free-for-all
Well, the one on the right was on the bottom
And the one in the middle was on the top
And the one on the left got a broken arm
And the guy in the rear said, "Oh dear."
Now this should be a lesson if you plan to start a folk group
Don't go mixin' politics with the folk songs of our land
Just work on harmony and diction play your banjo well
And if you have political convictions keep 'em to yourself
Now, the one on the left works in a bank
And the one in the middle drives a truck
The one on the right's an all-night deejay
And the guy in the rear got drafted
Songwriter: Jack Clement Recorded by Johnny Cash