“To Err is Human, to Forgive Divine!” — Alexander Pope
“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” — Mahatma Gandhi
An unhealthy competitiveness exists in politics. Divisive propaganda and antagonistic rhetoric reign supreme. Both parties defend their philosophical differences with tenacity. Sanctimonious and self-righteous attitudes lead to discord, distrust, and hostility. ‘Degenerative’ could describe the current state of our union.
The issues we face are complex. Nobody is right, and no-one is wrong. The correct answer certainly lies somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately, officials don’t congregate there. While there are those at the end of every spectrum, I fundamentally believe we are more similar than different.
Republican or Democrat? We are more sophisticated than that! If someone was to ask me which party I was aligned with, I’d quickly say neither. In the spirit of this thread, I should say both.
“Burning bridges behind you is understandable. It’s the bridges before us that we burn, not realizing we may need to cross, that brings regret.” — Anthony Liccione
We vilify adversaries, but those we choose to lead aren’t good or evil. Can we demonize political foes and actually expect support during a crisis? Compromise is fueled by mutual respect, not distain. Inclusiveness only happens when common values, not discrepancies, are recognized and celebrated. Luckily, the parallels are unmistakeable and easy to identify.
Selfless, compassionate, committed people arrive in Washington. Their personal positions probably pepper the political landscape, yet they’re coerced to follow the party line. They make concessions, thinking it is the only path to serve. During their campaign, special interests wield wealth to pressure and bully. Money corrupts and expectedly, agendas change. This isn’t the only time they’ll be influenced.
Peer pressure is real. Countless social experiments prove that we seek affirmation from others and blindly conform. Our capital isn’t different than any playground in America. The entrenched, the affluent, and the popular dictate the rules of engagement. Why is this surprising?
Stop judging. How often have you stood up against the status quo? Be honest with yourself. You wouldn’t behave differently!
“Too many people fought too hard to make sure all citizens of all colors, races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities can vote to think that not voting somehow sends a message.” — Luis Gutierrez
How do we remove toxicity? We vote! We vote for those encouraging civil conversations over name calling. We vote for those that share accomplishments instead of their rival’s inadequacies. We vote for those who possess acumen around the issues we care about. We vote for those that display a moral compass that consistently points north.
Let’s digress for a moment. A clear delineation exists between the parties on a number of controversial topics. Gun ownership, LGBTQ rights and gay marriage, abortion, the death penalty, and immigration are a few hotly-debated subjects. Military spending, taxation policies, and approaches to healthcare are equally polarizing.
I consider myself a gun enthusiast who advocates for reasonable and responsible regulations around ownership. I believe in the death penalty, but think the time between sentencing and execution should be drastically reduced. I am pro-choice, recognizing that not everyone is prepared or equipped to bring a new life into this world.
More broadly, I applaud love and would never condemn it regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. I know climate change is real, and profess that we have a moral obligation to mitigate our impact. I’m appalled that racism remains, and that inequality exists on a number of levels. I’m convinced that poverty is a force multiplier and exacerbates stereotypes. I embrace the thought that assistance programs should be available for those in need, but acknowledge that we must reward effort instead of inaction.
Those are my beliefs. I accept and appreciate diversity of thought. I’d like to encourage those that have other opinions to share in a constructive and professional way. Healthy debate yields positive outcomes. Always.
“The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” — Confucius
For those elected, listen to learn from others! Invite criticism! Disregard what your donors, special-interests, and peers think! Remember, we appointed YOU! YOU represent US! Be our beacon of light! Regardless of political affiliation, be a good human!
I am an eternal optimist, and believe things will change for the better! I agree with the proverb, “The darkest hour is just before dawn.” It’s up to you. Make us proud!
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Verum Meam 