We have quietly kept to ourselves as this year’s political drama has unfolded, like a ‘bat upside the head’ to say the least. We’ve listened to one friend or another, in length, argue the finer points of voting for this candidate or that. Every view we have listened to with upmost respect for their views, whether or not we agreed. Keeping our own thoughts to ourselves. We’ve tolerated the barrage of political passions, even those filled with hate and anger. And we remember…………
We remember when voting was more than a duty. It was a privilege, even a joy. Our excitement over the political process was something we shared with many. Regardless of who won, we knew our Representatives would do just that, represent us. All parties, regardless of affiliation would work together for America.
We remember when candidates would enter the stage to enthusiastically debate the issues and shake hands afterwards instead of name calling, accusations, and shouting matches that ensued. We remember when party affiliation meant only the difference of views or the path to get there, yet it still entailed a united America. We remember when candidates’ were questioned on their policies, not their character. We remember when one’s party affiliation meant more than just a vote, it meant an individual you could vote for and stand behind.
Let’s face it, the system is broken and has been for quite some time. We have become a separatist nation, where anger and fear rules. Where we are no longer Americans, we are being separated by faith, culture, ethnicity, or political party. Where instead of voting for the best candidate, everyone votes for the lesser of two evils. When did “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” decide how we cast our votes? Seriously!?!?
Instead of bringing us together, the parties themselves, tear us apart. We are tired, tired of a broken system telling us who we can vote for. That we must vote for him or her because they are a Democrat or Republican, because the other would be a worse than their nominee. Where one minute we’re told how terrible this person would be as President, yet shortly thereafter state they will vote for the same person they despaired over only months before – all in the name of party affiliation. When did we, as Americans, start voting for a party instead of the best candidate?
How can we in good conscience vote for a candidate we can’t trust, or makes us afraid? What happens when neither is acceptable? There is no clear cut answer, we only know that we can’t simply vote for the ‘lesser of two evils’ and that the ‘devil we know’ is just as bad as the ‘devil we don’t’. Maybe the answer doesn’t lie in who we vote for, but whether we vote at all.
blessings
Nick & Brenda Lee
We remember when candidates would enter the stage to enthusiastically debate the issues and shake hands afterwards instead of name calling, accusations, and shouting matches that ensued. We remember when party affiliation meant only the difference of views or the path to get there, yet it still entailed a united America. We remember when candidates’ were questioned on their policies, not their character. We remember when one’s party affiliation meant more than just a vote, it meant an individual you could vote for and stand behind.
Let’s face it, the system is broken and has been for quite some time. We have become a separatist nation, where anger and fear rules. Where we are no longer Americans, we are being separated by faith, culture, ethnicity, or political party. Where instead of voting for the best candidate, everyone votes for the lesser of two evils. When did “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” decide how we cast our votes? Seriously!?!?
Instead of bringing us together, the parties themselves, tear us apart. We are tired, tired of a broken system telling us who we can vote for. That we must vote for him or her because they are a Democrat or Republican, because the other would be a worse than their nominee. Where one minute we’re told how terrible this person would be as President, yet shortly thereafter state they will vote for the same person they despaired over only months before – all in the name of party affiliation. When did we, as Americans, start voting for a party instead of the best candidate?
How can we in good conscience vote for a candidate we can’t trust, or makes us afraid? What happens when neither is acceptable? There is no clear cut answer, we only know that we can’t simply vote for the ‘lesser of two evils’ and that the ‘devil we know’ is just as bad as the ‘devil we don’t’. Maybe the answer doesn’t lie in who we vote for, but whether we vote at all.
blessings
Nick & Brenda Lee
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