What People Say and What People Do (Politics)

Most people I've seen affirm that their support of a certain candidate for the presidency is based upon what is believed to be best for our democracy and for relationships with others throughout the world. Essentially, an upbeat, positive trust and hope for the future of us all.

We are human, of course, and affirmations of this kind may or may not be what is believed or what is intended in the ballot box. If you listen there is too-often a strong undercurrent of violent racial hatred and religious bigotry in our country that takes the breath away. We've come a long way since the 50's, I'm sure ... and we can do better if we would just think through the messages we receive from others. . . and challenge what you believe is not right! Even religious leaders can be wrong, as can any human. Even Presidents.

To stay silent is the greatest crime and will guarantee failure of our democracy.

PEACE

Ever since I can remember, people of all kinds spoke about Peace ... a world wide goal that will someday become reality. As an armchair historian I can affirm a belief that human beings have never truly experienced Peace for any length of time. If I were a bookie, I'd bet a million to one that there will never be peace for any length of time. Whether it is someone else's land, wife, food, oil, or whatever ~ humans will soon or later murder to achieve acquisition of that thing that is important and desired & that which is owned by others. Religions of all kinds urge for peace through prayers, reaching out to a god or gods to help others in many ways. And yet, religions of all kinds have also through history happily participated in blood baths ~ in the past, in the present, and some urge the same for the future. . . at the same time, religions can and have often done much good among us all.

Ultimate violence is something in us ... it may change for the better. We must try ~ but perhaps the old saying about Peace is true as put forward by Frederick the Great and many others: "Peace Is Best Guaranteed In the Shadow Of Bayonets".

That seems to be where we are now and have been since a man picked up a rock ~

How Will You Vote?

I had a relative that proudly stated intention to vote for Thomas E. Dewey for President ~ that was many years ago, of course. Upon questioning the reasoning became clear ... "...he has a mustache just like my father ..." This is not a joke. On the contrary, votes for this person or that person or for this legislation or that often happen along that line. It might be that a person "has always" voted this way or that ~~ or perhaps historically the family has voted Democrat or Republican regardless of candidates, or we "just don't like the looks of ... "

It remains a mystery that some ~ perhaps many ~ individuals just follow these habits, particular parties, or whatever their guiding light ~ unwilling or unable to make an independent personal decision based on the reality around them.

Our reality is a nation in severe trouble. No need here to list the deep, immediate problems we face, many of which we try very hard to ignore ~ resulting in inaction. Absent rapid change we will decline further and faster than we have already. We must stop hiding what we know is true in order to cling to what-has-always-worked. It won't work anymore. The world around us knows that and waits for their time in the sun.