How Infection Starts

Infection may happen in a few ways.

1. You start watching something that you normally wouldn't on that news channel you know is nuts.
2. You hear something from a less than reliable source. You read it, and blam, you think like they do, but you really don't want to.
3. You see something on the news that is questionable. You look into it and you start seeing all these things that make go, damn, maybe those people are right.
4. You listen to a spouse that doesn't think the way you do. In the process you change your mind about things you never would have before.
5. You want to see what the other side of the aisle is really thinking, so you read one of their newsletters or start following them on Twitter or "like" them on Facebook.

There is only on cure to infection. It is tried and true and never fails.

Think for yourself. Don't listen to the pundits from either side of the aisle. Use your own brain to come up with a conclusion that makes sense.

There are ways to avoid these five things.

1. Read up on the subject, that's what Google, Wikipedia and books are for...some books will lead you astray, beware, and read the in leaf.
2. Judge things according to your moral beliefs, religion shouldn't be why you choose your politics. 
3. Listen to the news in small doses, or get rid of TV altogether. Never sit in front of the TV for hours watching the same thing, getting angrier at people you don't know talk about things that don't effect you.
4. Don't listen to your spouse, make up your own mind. Just because you're married doesn't mean you have to vote like they do.
5. Take bits from both sides and make up your own mind.

Politics isn't personal and responding to a post on Facebook or Twitter that is derogatory or in some way defaces someone's wall is irresponsible and arrogant. On second thought, don't read the political posts on Facebook.