What is the matter with us? Have we taken the level of political correctness, injury to our
feelings and ability to be offended by anyone who looks different or thinks
differently than ourselves, way too far?
Having a conversation with my daughter this morning, she
informed me that Donald Trump, candidate for president, had assaulted a
protestor and that anyone who votes for him promotes violence. I asked her where and when. She couldn’t
provide the details, but because she read it online, she took it as fact and
this information, possibly misinformation, has helped shape her opinion.
Rewind a few days and this same intelligent daughter
informed me that the Republican Party is one of intolerance, hatred and
racism. Now, this was an arrow through
my very political soul. I am a
Republican. I am a proud Republican. I don’t believe that I am a terrible person
consumed by hate, racism or intolerance.
The discussion about passing judgment on an entire group of people based
on their voting preference will come later, when we have time to talk, not just
chat over the sound of a blow dryer.
In the meantime here is what I do believe, because if you will hate me for my party affiliation, you might as well be clear on my beliefs:
- I believe that there are more people like me, in both parties, who believe in the Republic and the rights of the individuals to live and prosper with the freedoms that our founding Fathers spoke of during the formation of our nation.
- I believe that our family knows best how to manage our money and that we are all responsible for our own choices, decisions and repercussions of these decisions. I do not believe that the government or my neighbors should be burdened with the financial responsibility of my personal choices.
- I believe that we as a human race and as a culture of hard
working people, should offer assistance to those who need it, but never make
that assistance a way of life.
- I believe that love comes in all forms. I believe that it is not a choice that we make of who we love, but is the human nature of love and attraction. I also believe that others, who do not agree with me on this issue, have the right to disagree. It is my belief that these people are not homophobic, just living life by their beliefs and opinions. I also believe that we should be able to live our beliefs without fear of reprisal from those who would not agree.
- I believe that issues that make us human should never have been politicized. Life is life, but the person who ultimately must make the choice should have the freedom to do so without being fearful of being considered a murderer. There are dark times and moments that many of us will never have the misfortune to experience, those who are in those moments deserve the same care as those who would deny them.
I believe that I am a good Republican. I recognize that the party is evolving, the
same as the Democratic Party has evolved; I challenge you to do your
research. Before you paint all Republicans as elite racists, it might help to know that the Republican Party was born
out of a need to address human rights issues. These same fundamental beliefs are what hold me to the party today,
If you go to this link: http://www.ushistory.org/gop/origins.htm
you will find the following, plus much more.
Trying times spawn new forces. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 divided the country at the 36° 30' parallel between the pro-slavery, agrarian South and anti-slavery, industrial North, creating an uneasy peace which lasted for three decades. This peace was shattered in 1854 by the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Settlers would decide if their state would be free or slave. Northern leaders such as Horace Greeley, Salmon Chase and Charles Sumner could not sit back and watch the flood of pro-slavery settlers cross the parallel. A new party was needed.
With the current flood of rhetoric and candidate bashing, it
is a wonder that any everyday American who looks to the media for their news is
able to make an informed decision.
Because a fight broke out at a rally, candidates’ opponents will accuse
him of promoting violence.
We will never all agree, that is where representative
government comes in. It is our
responsibility to go out and cast our vote, not just post our dislike for one
another, use the power that our founding fathers gave us and cast your vote;
not just this year, but also every year.
