Seeing Your Reflection in Politics

If you’ve watched the news in the last few weeks I’m sure you’ve noticed how nasty things have gotten on the political scene.

It seems that some folks think if you can’t win on merits then it’s fine to lie, slam the other guy and slander his character.

It’s interesting to me that so many pro life, Christan Republican supporters also seem to support these lies, slanders, hate and fear campaign tactics along with the candidates themselves.

I’ve asked a few of my republican family members and friends why they support McCain and Palin and have been amazed and amused by the answers. It seems that they have the idea that if you are a republican you are somehow more right with GOD, a better Christian, more in tune with what GOD wants.

Here’s my take on it.

Being a republican doesn’t make you right, it doesn’t make you more GOD fearing, GOD loving or a better friend of America.

Being a democrat doesn’t make one a Muslim, a friend of terrorists, or an enemy of America.

I’m an American first and foremost. My support for a candidate isn’t based on party, it’s based on the person’s vision for this nation that I love so much. I support a person who will work with all other Americans to keep this nation great, free and fair for all it’s citizens.

I realize that many people feel afraid now what with the economy and all the lies the fear machine is putting out there. I was shocked to see on the news that the republicans are sending out fliers that are racists and hateful. Is there a place for this in our wonderful nation? What does this mean in the bigger picture?

Everything we see is a reflection of ourself. We are surrounded by shadow images of who we are inside. There is a whole lot of Me Me Me in politics. Each voter picks a candidate who supports his or her pet project, belief and in some cases espouses their greatest fear.

Is this really the best way to pick a president for our nation? Is finding a candidate who agrees with you on one issue the jumping off point for electing him or would it be wiser to listen to everything each candidate stands for and choose from that?

Ear Marks and Pork on a personal scale represent one small aspect of what this nation is about. It’s gotta be about more that raising taxes for the rich vs poor, pro life or pro choice.

There is just too much going on right now to vote with blinders on.

If you really care about what type of America we are creating for our children and grandchildren, take a good, long, hard look at why you are voting and for whom.

Is your choice based on fear and prejudice? Are you thinking for yourself or just following the party/church/family/friend line?

It’s always important who we elect as president, but this year it’s even more vital that we choose based on what we want our world to be like, what we really desire America to stand for.

We have the economy acting like a roller coaster, war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and looming on the horizon perhaps Iran. Russia is acting up, North Korea is, well…. North Korea.

Many of our citizens don’t have health care and many live in poverty. This is America folks.. the land of the free and the brave. Do we really want to become a nation of fear, hatred and prejudice?

Our nation, just like our world is a reflection of us. We create it, we bring it into being with our thoughts, our beliefs, and yes, our votes.

Get the facts, check the candidates out for yourself. Use www.factcheck.org to find out what each person really stands for, how they’ve voted and will most likely vote again.

We’ve got to work together and build an America that once again is looked up to as the bright shining light of liberty and justice.