A Hopeful Sign

     Radio news this morning had a short piece on politics in the workplace -- how most people avoid it (good!) and how some people reported not asking a co-worker for help because they didn't want to be drawn into a conflict over differing opinions (not so good).

     It's food for thought.  At my work, one of our critical (but minor) suppliers is deeply into partisan politics, in a very over-the-top way.  Were it up to me, I'd look for different places to buy the things we get from them, places that stayed out of such deep and murky waters.  But it's not up to me.  When I'm looking for stuff, they're not on my list; I'm not in charge of anyone else's buying decision.*

     The survey underlying the story had another good sign: for all the rumblings of open conflict, despite rumors and punditry, despite calumny season being in full swing, less than one percent of survey respondents were found likely to commit political violence -- and that number overlapped neatly with the people willing to commit any kind of violence.  The guy who'd punch you out for voting wrong is the same one who'd do so over backing the wrong sports team or drinking the wrong brand of beer.  Most Americans aren't rushing to the apocalypse -- among other things, there aren't any Walmarts or Macys there, and who'd look after the grandkids?
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* One of the best things about McMaster-Carr is that I have no idea of what political opinions the company or its management hold, or even who any of them are.  The closest thing to a slogan on their website is the hyperlink at the top that says "Browse catalog."  But if you need industrial stuff, they have it, and you'll probably get your order the next day.