I love how at election time everyone becomes authorities on both sides of the parties, what is right on issues and what is wrong, which candidates are the best and who represents what our country needs. Folks seem to be the all-knowing expert on who is telling the truth and who is lying, simply based on who they support. So many are unwilling to even listen to opposing views so steadfast in the fact their view is the only correct view.
This segment knows, or thinks they do, which media channel is reporting the facts, which story they are reading from different sources is accurate, and which candidate is a "bad person" and not worthy of being in the Oval Office.
Normal everyday citizens, even the meek, begin pulling out boxing gloves, begin talking like sailors at sea, pulling out daggers and throwing out hateful words with no forethought. It seems to be irregardless of which side of the line they are on and which candidate. Their devotion for who they support and who they now despise is so deep-seated you would think they know these individuals intimately, attended grade-school with them! Somehow it becomes in vogue to bully too.
Is it any wonder God-loving, family oriented average men never run for President anymore? Take Colin Powell, for example, or some past Presidents that seem picture clean, like George Washington or Lincoln. They would be bad-mouthed, thrown under the bus and patronized. Any bad decisions that either of them had made that caused citizens to lose any jobs, military personnel to have died or be captured, hostages taken anywhere on the globe, any terrorist act, any act demonstrating a sign of a lack of character or ability to protect all of the nation or any security of any of our citizens would make their ability to govern be called into question. Poor leadership would be their legacy!
Making errors happens, not every great leader has a history of winning popularity awards, Congress is not kind to everyone that serves, many in public service can be arrogant, have had affairs, etc.. All the charges levied on both sides are nothing, unfortunately out of the ordinary. We have had old Presidents, young Presidents, actors, different religions, and we have survived, some better so than others.
Why must we do what the media are doing also, throw these candidates to the wolves as if we can do better in the role? These candidates are human and are fallible, let's face that fact. They are not the best the country has to offer, but they are the only ones willing to run for presidency. They will not get everything done they say they will, none ever do. Like Obama, they will try, they will face obstacles and they may have secret agendas. Everyone does running, let's be real. Ever think maybe your expectation level is too high or maybe the focus is on the wrong things? There are only so many things you can really know and also control.
What originally made our country strong and a superpower was how we stood together unified, as in UNITED States. We can't be strong tearing each other apart. Targeting social media more on what we need and what the candidate you are supporting will bring to our country will help others know what they need to make an informed vote. That unites us and is a positive image for our country here and abroad. Repeatingly dogging candidates, saying they are worthless beings, our country will go to hell, is not positive messaging, is not helping undecided uninformed voters know who to vote for and certainly paints an unfavorable picture of someone who may be our future President to the world at large. Let's think big picture here, our country is not an island, we are being watched by many. Use your voice during the election process to educate not eradicate candidates.
We have troops risking their lives daily overseas. Imagine hearing and reading on social media all this negativity and how we think this candidate or that one is a loser, may land up being their Superior and may land up causing them to go to War and die? Is that fair to those serving? Aren't they under enough stress? Let's boost them up by talking about who the candidates are that will bring about the changes that will benefit our military the most! Again, inform others why this candidate is our best military option!
Negativity doesn't change the stalemate issues our government has been having bickering among each other. Now we are seeing an inability to diffuse so much of the anger and hatred in America between voters. With it building, we are becoming what we despise in other parts of the world. Hatred towards candidates is not appropriate, these folks stopped their life to choose to run.
Your voice can change things. Be sure you are registered and everyone you know is, including young people! First and foremost vote. And secondly, if you are politically minded, get involved in some way, perhaps campaign for your candidate . Tweet out information to the rest of us about a key issue that concerns you and the candidate that is supporting your stance on this issue so we better understand their plan to address it. Let us know what are they going to do. We don't want to hear why you don't think some other person isn't 'worthy' - that doesn't help someone make a choice.
A friend told me politics is dirty, it can't be cleaned up. Well, I say change is possible. Our country use to be ruled by England and now we are free. Change, though, starts with you, quit looking to others to make those changes. You have the right to bitch, whine and point out everyone's faults, including mine. That is your freedom of speech. But problems don't get solved by insulting each other. We have seen that enough in Congress. It caused it to shut down. We have voices and let's use them to be positive, and share positive messages with each other about these candidates. Whoever any of us vote for at the Presidential election, we need to get serious about making educated decisions about our leadership. This vote must be for the individual we are convinced will bring the best to our country in the four years they serve! Let's help each other to just that!
God Bless America!
Sister Bonds
Having spent some time recently with my older sister, it reminded me of so many shared moments in our youth. Those years were some of th...
