One week away

We have finally arrived at the day which is 1 week away from election day.

Thank goodness for that.  I will count down the days with great anticipation.

So much can be said about what has gone on in our political world for the past decade.

I look back and recall my distaste for filthy rich candidates, making horrible accusations about each other, and hardly discussing policy or their rationale behind what they propose as their platform.

I would often get mad and ask – but what do you stand for? and, how do you plan on doing that?

If I didn’t hear a reasonable explanation from one or both candidates, I would be forced to pick based on character and philosophic beliefs. I am not, by any sense, strictly aligned to any specific political party.

I have voted for candidates from many different parties in the past, often splitting the ticket among the people I felt would best fulfill their oath of office.

The politics of today are not anything like the politic of the past.

As much as I dislike politics in general, I will never NOT vote.

I love this country, and really believe we live in the greatest country in the entire world.  Even with all its faults and problems, this experiment in governance has provided the citizens more “rights” then anywhere else, ever in history.

But it hasn’t always been that “great”, for everyone.

Thankfully, the forefathers were smart enough to include methods to amend the laws. Over many years, the “rights” originally provided to a few, have been expanded to include people of all genders, races, and religious beliefs (even non-believers).

This governance of this country has undergone many challenges.

Slavery divided it, and the Civil War left deep scars and wounds that may never be totally healed, for many reasons – but mostly because you cannot legislate hatred away.

World Wars forced camaraderie among the differing factions, as they fought as a united people against a perceived evil. And, thankfully won.

Other Wars, divided the people and questioned the governing leaders as to why we were involved in the first place?  War often questions those sending our military in. Loved ones and those advocates of peace let their feelings be heard – as they have the right to do so.

This country grew by leaps and bounds, thanks to the industrial revolution and the support or belief in a capitalistic society. The government often set limits, but entrepreneurs were able to fulfill their dreams.

People from around the world immigrated to America. Where anyone could become rich and famous if they worked hard enough.

America became a great “melting pot”, but not without its own share of problems. Immigrants from many different countries were often singled out and treated terribly. Racism was the accepted norm, for many years, even after the end of the Civil War.

America wasn’t so “great” to so many different people, yet they still wanted to come here. I am a descendant from immigrants, as I am sure, most of you are too.

Over time, the words in the Constitution, particularly the Preamble and Bill of Rights were often being challenged.

Who exactly were the “We” in “We the people”? What exactly are those “inalienable rights”?  Who was it that “qualified” for the privilege of having those rights assured to them?

All men are created equal. The right to assemble. The right to believe as you choose to, or not choose to. The right to bear arms. The right to a trial before your peers. The right to not self-incriminate. The right to free speech.  And on, and on, and on.

Mostly garnered from previous documents, like the Magna Carte, and from earlier French and English influences created during the European struggle to rid themselves of Autocratic rulers, Kings, and Queens, with the intention of establishing a better means of self-rule. 

It has been a struggle, yet the experiment lives on.

Changed? Yes, of course it has changed many times over the years. Mostly for the betterment of many.

Over 200 years later, we are now at a point where the citizens will once again gather, cast a ballot, and see who will be elected to lead our great nation.

The greatness of this land and the people that live here has not diminished, regardless of what one candidate claims. The current level of civility in politics may not be the best example of why America is great though. It used to be that you could have a different opinion about anything, and not be ridiculed for having a different opinion, and called childish names, or threatened in any manner.

There once was a time when politicians behaved in a civil manner towards each other.

I long for those days again.

Yet, people still come here from around the globe, in hopes of becoming one of us. In hopes of fulfilling their dreams. If we were such a terrible place, why would they continue to come here?

I love this country and am hopeful that the great divide between so many of us will eventually be healed. That will not, and cannot occur, unless a leader is selected that makes it a priority.

One candidate running has stated he will not do that.

He has decided that he will go after his opponents, and anyone that disagrees with his thinking or proposals. He has threatened to use the military against the citizens.

He has stated hateful messages and exhibited bad behavior to many that are different from him, in color or gender, in what they believe or their philosophical ideas.

He has proposed terrible economic policies that help the wealthiest and harm the least wealthy.

Experts agree that his proposed policies are terrible for the economy and will cause far more harm and good.

I will not be voting for him.

I encourage everyone to vote, even if you disagree with my perspective.

You have that right and regardless of what happens, I wish you all well.