Now that the election is over I will post this one time incite into my head but this isn't going to just be about politics so please continue to read.
Working in city government and especially leading up to election "season" I get surprisingly get the question about my party affiliation. So I then in turn give them this following 5 minute dissertation which either leaves them thinking about things or guarantees I'll never have to worry about them talking to me again.
You see when I get asked if I'm a Democrat or Republican I let them know that I'm a Realist. After a slightly bewildered stare I explain this to them........I minored in history during college topped off by the fact that I took way too many economics, government, political science, business law and statistics classes that lead to the fact that I understand far too well how the system works....it doesn't because it's broke. The elected officials aren't in charge; the lobbyists and Super PACs funneling money into these politicians pockets are. Also remember that each party will extrapolate a sliver of data to fit their current need to spin things either in their favor or against the other party and it will look legit and pass the sniff test but always be wary of statistical data and remember the simple fact that jobs will be created and lost all by themselves without anyone's help and the economists will give you the historical and future data to show you that the politicians making jobs promises really are not trying too hard and are just coat-tailing the cyclical economic swings.
But I also remember a time when people were raised to not only respect the office of the President but also the POTUS themselves. To top it off I'm an independent and can think on my own and I have never straight-party voted (if you do....shame on you) so I am both party's nightmare because they know that if people begin thinking on their own their reign of 2 party power will be over. Usually by now I can tell if they are going to want to hear that I do my own research on the candidates and that I actually don't rely on Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck or Al Sharpton for my news or views.
Which leads me to this.....many people are affiliated with a certain political party because that's what their parents were just like many of us are religious, not religious or of a certain faith.....because that's what are parents are/were. But unless you are totally of the like mind and through your own process of discovery have found out that you are totally in agreement with them and an exact copy then you will most likely follow in their footsteps. But everyone should self evaluate and see where you are in your life, in your relationships, in your journey and where you stand with God. Many people grow up a certain way and then as soon as they are out of the house they become the polar opposite of who they were just to spite their parents or to test the waters. While a radical change may not always be the smartest route sometimes it's the only route. You'll know what I mean if you've accepted or rededicated your life to Jesus Christ at a later point in your life because you truly do become a new person and there is no other way to describe it. I for one was "raised" Catholic; so I feared God, was ashamed of my sins and kept one eye on Sister Erna and her yard stick. Once I hit confirmation I wasn't back in church unless there was a wedding or a funeral. But things happen you begin to question things for the right reasons and look for answers on your own until you realize the only answer is the one you've been avoiding. But now I have a trust in God and a growing relationship with Jesus because I personally made the decision to do so.
What you have to be careful of though is the coattail factor. Many people just ride their parent's coattails; whether that has to do with career path, political preference, college choice or religious affiliation and they never find themselves. This gets really dangerous as we get older and we begin to have our own children but also when it comes to faith. I know many people who just assume they've got a free ride to Heaven because of everything their parents have done and believe in.
So as we go forward just remember not all Democrats are baby killers and not all Republicans are fully automatic weapon toting war mongers. And if you try and boil every election down to 1 or both of these topics it will never go well and all you do is continue the divide between the hardcore supporters. Are the topics of abortion and gun rights really the most important ones we face as a nation? We all have to remember that while we do have freedom of speech we do not have freedom of consequences. On one hand you can not decry the government for perceived socialistic endeavors along with the plans and policies they implemented to help the the lower classes but with the other hand you sure better not be taking every government handout and subsidy available. Not only must you walk the walk if you talk the talk as a Christian you must also do so if you are so vehemently against a President, a party or a particular group in general.
So just remember while yes everyone has an opinion; not everyone wants yours whipped out and waved in front of their face. We have a few years before we have to hide certain people so we don't have to see their Facebook posts or block their tweets; so in the mean time get involved in your community, in your local government, in your church. Be a positive role model and a good citizen and attempt to make the community you live in a better place for everyone.
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