In politics, generalities are easy . . . Maybe we should learn some specifics

We all love talking in generalities about things we hear or read in the news. We all do it, spit out our opinions based on what is going on somewhere else and someplace else. The world is a big place, and we can say whatever we wish from the comfort of our homes. But sometimes reality hits us head on, makes us sit up and notice that there are real people involved in, and affected by, all those laws and opinions we read about.

Here’s the generality . . . We’re passing and threatening to pass laws that will limit people coming into America based on their religion . . . We are threatening to deport immigrants . . . We are passing laws that allow businesses to aggressively discriminate against gays and put transgender people in dangerous, confrontational places (bathrooms . . . which new laws mandate can only be used by people “born” male or female and not by those who identify as male or female).

Here are some realities . . .

A friend of mine has been married to her husband for 13 years. Together they have 3 children, he works, and she owns a business. They own a home and 2 cars. He’s from Costa Rica. She’s American. For years he’s worked here, legally, with a green card, but the recent political rhetoric has caused them some concern. So much concern, that after some discussion, they decided it might be best for him to become a U.S. citizen, something they talked about in the past, but with a bit more urgency now.

Their recent discussions focused on concern that, for whatever reason, there might be a huge shift in immigration policy, a “reset” that might lead to deportation of immigrants here legally, or a shift in “legal” status that could also lead to deportations.

The end result is that he ended up becoming a U.S. citizen, passing the 100-question test that most of us couldn't pass. (Perhaps politicians should be required to take and pass that test before they can take office.) So the rhetoric makes immigrants, legal and undocumented, uneasy and often fearful of the future. As a country of immigrants, that should make us all anxious.

It is estimated that more than 13 million Hispanics will vote this year, compared with less than 10 million in 2008. 

Here’s another . . .

You could be in a restaurant and the waitress asks if you’re gay. Why? “Because we don’t serve gay people.” Do you answer? Tell her to bug off or tell her indeed you are straight, but your friend is gay . . . or that indeed you are gay, “Is that a problem?”

Frankly, it’s none of her darn business, but these new laws have created these situations. I would be livid if a friend of mine was ever denied service . . . let alone fired from a job, not allowed to rent an apartment or thrown out of a hospital because he or she was gay. Don’t laugh. There will be tense confrontations and lawsuits, court challenges and screaming politicians.

While children in America are going hungry, politicians are focusing their legislative might on bathrooms and selling wedding cakes.