Political Morals

I am finding that the more I read, write about and discuss politics, the more I realize how much I despise this aspect of the world. It drives me crazy, but I have placed myself in a position where I have to be involved at least enough to be slightly informed as I engage in debates and write persuasive letters about given candidates views and policy proposals, etc. But, to bore you a little more with political issues, I share with you a recent post I wrote:

As Americans, people of this united nation, we live out our lives not only as an example to our children, but as an example to the world. We profess to stand tall in the aid of flailing countries. We rush relief to areas of the world rocked by natural disasters. We profess religious freedom and tolerance. We preach acceptance of the masses, regardless of race or other affiliations. One has to admit, we are looking pretty good on the outside, but what is becoming of the core of this “Nation Under God”? We have lost sight of the vital moral issues at hand, leaving our children to take backseat to our meaningless political ventures, both local and worldwide. It is time to come home and focus our political powers on the moral issues at the heart of our country before our children lose sight of the value of all that is good and right.

What a year it has been in the political realms of this nation. For one, we are still at war. Does anyone really know why we are there? What benefits has it brought, and where are they? All I have seen is higher gas prices and greater concern for an economy slipping into recession. The national debt has all but doubled, while the value of the dollar has dropped significantly, so much so that a once powerful dollar bill won’t even buy me a chocolate bar! If we are going to double our national debt to an amount unfathomable to the average citizen and watch the value of the dollar plummet in the world market, don’t you think it should at least be for something worthwhile! But it is not. Rather, we are allowing families to be torn apart as their fathers, mothers, and siblings are shipped off to war, forcing children to be raised in a single-family unit. And what about our reasons for still being at war? Our assuming that democracy is the model government for the world, and forcing it upon other nations, leaves something to be desired in the impression it leaves upon the younger generation. Will they know tolerance? Will they be accepting of someone who looks different, speaks different, does things different? Look at what our un-harnessed politics are doing to those who we care about most!

Perhaps the war seems to some to be a distant political venture that has yet to impact their household, or perhaps just don’t care that much, a matter a little closer to home may be of interest to you: the next President of your country. It is the big thing nowadays to talk about everyone who might be our next president, even in cutting and degrading ways. The media and politics of our nation have turned to degrading attacks, not on character or past acts, but on personal religious affiliations. Should one candidate be chosen above another purely due to religious belief? It seems a damning sin that Romney is a member of the LDS faith. Huckabee is judged on his affiliations with the Southern Baptist Church. Obama is looked down upon for his ties with the Muslim faith. Did anyone ever stop to consider that perhaps someone, regardless of religious affiliation, should be considered on the grounds of moral character? Again, what are we teaching the younger generation about our professed religious tolerance and acceptance of people for who they are! Perhaps we might consider who these men and women are, not which church they go to on Sunday.

We are the United States of America, land of the free, home of the brave. Let us be brave enough to look beyond the pitiful accusations of the media and search for something of meaning in our politics. Let us begin to build a foundation upon which our children can lead a nation that not only professes to be a “Nation Under God”, but actually is one.

Yes, I don't like politics and what it brings into our lives. It seems they have failed to realize that "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant". Yeah, that'll be the day. This is only a draft, so if you have any suggestions, as I am supposed to use forms of kairos, commontopic, mood, etc, and I don't know much about said forms of writing. Working on it.