Most individuals have expectations of the people they let close and rely on. For me, it's honest communication. I have had people express that my ability to throw five well-articulated paragraphs onto a piece of paper in almost as many minutes intimidates them. It shouldn't. I am a writer and I have zero expectation for most to communicate as I do.
No, what I mean by honest communication is much simpler. Let me provide you some examples: If I communicate about an apple, but get an unrelated response about tires... I don't understand; If I ask a direct question and don't get a direct answer... I don't understand; If anyone claims they were less than honest so as to spare my feelings... I don't understand; As much as I love words and believe in the power of words, word games... I don't understand.
These things--I've learned--can be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for some people.
For the most part, my communication requirement simply prevents me from getting close to the wrong people. We can likely still be acquaintances, but best buddies we will never be. I think this is fair and logical. There's a reason best friends are best friends after all.
The trouble starts when part of me makes the leap of caring deeply about someone before realizing they can't communicate in any way I understand. It's rare, but it does happen. In those situations, I am left anxious, uncomfortable, and far out on a limb wondering how I got there. Articulate goes out the window, logical isn't even a vocabulary word and all of any intelligence I have is focused on getting off the limb with minimal damage.
In short, anything less than honest, succinct communication Makes. Me. Crazy.
Enter the country I fell in love with long before I realized she has as much going against her as for her. Enter Washington, D.C., enter every state capital, every municipality. Is there any group of people so good at saying so much without saying anything? Does anyone really believe the health care issue is separate from the employment issue is separate from the immigration issue is separate from the education issue is separate from the terrorism issue is separate from the environmental issue is separate from the national defense issue?
I understand the need to simplify to a degree, but the half-truths, back-room deals and partisan bickering that has become as much a symbol of our government and our country as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?
Well. It Makes. Me. Crazy. We deserve better. When are we going to start demanding it?
