Of Politics and Passion

Of Politics and Passion

Oh how I am looking forward to 9 November 2016. The day we get to wake up and learn who will try to wreck our country for the next four years (because both clowns will try). The day that political ads will no longer be everywhere. The day when we can all breath a sigh of relief and greet our new reality with trepidation.

I have been fascinated by politics and history since I was a young child. I can honestly say this is the worst election cycle of my life! While I want to shout my opinions from the rooftops, I’ve remained fairly silent. Why, you ask? Well, the short answer is that there is so much divisiveness, so much anger and hate in our country and in our communities, that sharing my opinions risks too much. It is so sad that we live in an era where we can’t have healthy debates instead of resorting to childish behavior! Where did the society go that allows us to have civil discourse, even when we don’t agree? Why are passions so inflamed, that we try to vilify and dehumanize people who think differently that we do?

I used to passionately implore people to get out and vote, let them know that they have a privileged right to vote and a responsibility to exercise that right. While I do believe those things, I recently read an article that has changed my opinion, slightly. This individual opined that if you don’t take the time to educate yourself, you should not vote. He said you need to vote from an educated position, not an emotional position.

I know they were wrong, but sometimes I wonder if the founding fathers weren’t on to something when only land owners were allowed to vote. You needed to have skin in the game in order to cast your vote. You needed to be informed, because you were invested! You have to take a class and pass a test to drive a car, pilot a boat or airplane or to hunt, but all you have to do to vote is turn 18. And that vote can be just as lethal as a poor choice while driving!

I wish everyone would realize that the right wing and the left wing help fly the same bird. That they both want power and control. That they both get their money from the same places. Together, they are both trying to divide and conquer us.

So I beg of you, read history, ours and the rest of the world’s. The good and the bad. Read about economics and politics. Become an informed voter. Realize that your vote may not make a huge difference on the national stage, but it will make a difference. Think globally, vote your conscious, and then try to make a difference locally. Keep your passion alive, but use it to better your community.

I hope that we all wake up 9 November 2016 and try to be better people. That we try to have respectful conversations with every one, not just those who think like us. That we try to understand each other. That we try to make this a better, kinder country. That we try to love each other passionately, not hate each other with passion.

Because if we don’t, the left wing and the right wing win, and we the people loose.