I got into a bit of trouble during an election a few years ago. A friend of mine who was (and continues to be) very involved in politics asked a favor of me. I, being young and naive, agreed. I didn't really ask questions - at least not the right ones - and pretty soon, what I thought was a small favor turned into a huge mess that left me holding the bag.
I learned a lot from that.
I like to think that people see a different side of me these days. I tend to form pretty strong opinions about things, but unless I've done my homework and feel confident that my position is correct, I try not to air those opinions publicly. I like debate, but I like a more casual style - you have your opinion, I have mine, we can discuss it like adults and not devolve into 'Your Mama' territory.
Unless it's funny.
I don't like debating with people who won't listen to what I have to say. (For example, I frequently read Discover and New Scientist and other such magazines because I've always liked science and I like seeing what new things are happening in the scientific community. In the last issue of Discover, however, the author of a particular article was ranting against school systems that have chosen to teach Creationism as an alternate theory to evolution. They still teach evolution, mind you, but they teach both side by side, presented as theories, so that students understand all of the possibilities. The author, a scientist who should know better by definition of his chosen profession, couldn't believe that these 'religious nuts' were 'polluting' the schools with rubbish while there was a 'proven theory' that perfectly explained everything. Sorry buddy, but 'proven theory' is an oxymoron. See how I didn't call you a moron even though I wanted to? That's because I'm attacking the argument, not the arguer.)
Where was I?
Oh yes. People who won't listen to what I have to say really aren't interested in finding Truth. As far as they are concerned, they already have it. (Also interesting because I was sure the new line was that there is no such thing as one, absolute Truth. Oh well.) You can't reason with these people. It ends like this every time.
I lead with all of that because I need you to understand where I'm coming from when it comes to politics. At this stage of my life, you will not see me endorsing a particular candidate. I might tell you who I prefer, but I'm not going to stand outside a polling center and shout it at the top of my voice. (Mostly because that is illegal.) I'm not going to put stickers on my car. In fact, the only sticker on my car right now is this:
It's cute and funny and most people get the hint. I don't feel bad for what I say to the ones who don't. (Unless they don't get the joke. Then I just weep for them.) (BTW, thank you, Elida, for the use of that sticker.)
I'm not going to do it. It's not happening. In fact, I won't even listen to anything about the election until the weekend before I vote. That includes the presidential debates. I didn't watch them. I didn't listen to them. I didn't read articles about them. (And that was hard to avoid, let me tell you.) I read them. But not until the weekend before. In fact, that's all I did Sunday. I read the debates, I researched candidates at all levels, I read opinion columns on both sides. I picked up the non-partisan voting guide. I talked to people I trusted. By Sunday night, I knew exactly who I was voting for.
Today, I exercised my duty as a citizen of the United States of America to vote. (You'll notice I didn't say my right to vote. This right is not in the Constitution. There's a huge debate about this that most people know nothing about. This article was one of the least partisan.) I was informed, excited, nervous, annoyed and relaxed.
Informed - because I believe that if you don't have the facts, you shouldn't vote. Yes, it's your privilege to vote. Yes, you are free to step into the voting booth and do a straight ticket or make fun patterns with the buttons or close your eyes and point. But that does absolutely nothing for your country. Know who you're voting for and know why. Please. If you don't know that, stay home and shut up.
Excited - because it really is a duty and a privilege to vote. I first voted in 2004, and I haven't missed an election yet. I love my country, and I want to see it prosper. One of the best ways to do that is to be involved in electing its leaders.
Nervous - because you never know what the future holds. What if my guy doesn't win? What if he does and turns out to be a complete jackass? There's a lot of power in my vote.
Annoyed - at the people who think their vote doesn't count for anything. Yes, I did just tell you to stay home if you aren't informed because I think you are wasting your vote and throwing a lot of power away. And no, our system isn't perfect. But one of the ways you change it and make it better is by voting. So don't tell me that my vote doesn't mean anything. (This is especially true for Christians. Don't think you should be involved?
Nice try.)
Relaxed - because ultimately it's not in my hands. Whatever happens happens. God reigns, He knows what is to come, and I know that no matter what, He is in control. Does that mean He won't let this country end up in the toilet? Not at all. God is merciful. But He is also a Judge. Life isn't like a soap opera where you can lie and cheat and murder and some miraculous twist gets you out of it. Sometimes, you have to pay for your crimes. And most of the time, your crimes drag the rest of the world down with you. Did you read that verse up there? Or did you just skim it? Because I'm pretty sure it says "Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good."
I hope you did vote today. I hope you were informed and conscientious in your decisions. If not, I hope you remember what I said for next time. Because this will likely be the only time you hear this opinion. (At least until the next election.)
I learned a lot from that.
I like to think that people see a different side of me these days. I tend to form pretty strong opinions about things, but unless I've done my homework and feel confident that my position is correct, I try not to air those opinions publicly. I like debate, but I like a more casual style - you have your opinion, I have mine, we can discuss it like adults and not devolve into 'Your Mama' territory.
Unless it's funny.
I don't like debating with people who won't listen to what I have to say. (For example, I frequently read Discover and New Scientist and other such magazines because I've always liked science and I like seeing what new things are happening in the scientific community. In the last issue of Discover, however, the author of a particular article was ranting against school systems that have chosen to teach Creationism as an alternate theory to evolution. They still teach evolution, mind you, but they teach both side by side, presented as theories, so that students understand all of the possibilities. The author, a scientist who should know better by definition of his chosen profession, couldn't believe that these 'religious nuts' were 'polluting' the schools with rubbish while there was a 'proven theory' that perfectly explained everything. Sorry buddy, but 'proven theory' is an oxymoron. See how I didn't call you a moron even though I wanted to? That's because I'm attacking the argument, not the arguer.)
Where was I?
Oh yes. People who won't listen to what I have to say really aren't interested in finding Truth. As far as they are concerned, they already have it. (Also interesting because I was sure the new line was that there is no such thing as one, absolute Truth. Oh well.) You can't reason with these people. It ends like this every time.
I lead with all of that because I need you to understand where I'm coming from when it comes to politics. At this stage of my life, you will not see me endorsing a particular candidate. I might tell you who I prefer, but I'm not going to stand outside a polling center and shout it at the top of my voice. (Mostly because that is illegal.) I'm not going to put stickers on my car. In fact, the only sticker on my car right now is this:
It's cute and funny and most people get the hint. I don't feel bad for what I say to the ones who don't. (Unless they don't get the joke. Then I just weep for them.) (BTW, thank you, Elida, for the use of that sticker.)
I'm not going to do it. It's not happening. In fact, I won't even listen to anything about the election until the weekend before I vote. That includes the presidential debates. I didn't watch them. I didn't listen to them. I didn't read articles about them. (And that was hard to avoid, let me tell you.) I read them. But not until the weekend before. In fact, that's all I did Sunday. I read the debates, I researched candidates at all levels, I read opinion columns on both sides. I picked up the non-partisan voting guide. I talked to people I trusted. By Sunday night, I knew exactly who I was voting for.
Today, I exercised my duty as a citizen of the United States of America to vote. (You'll notice I didn't say my right to vote. This right is not in the Constitution. There's a huge debate about this that most people know nothing about. This article was one of the least partisan.) I was informed, excited, nervous, annoyed and relaxed.
Informed - because I believe that if you don't have the facts, you shouldn't vote. Yes, it's your privilege to vote. Yes, you are free to step into the voting booth and do a straight ticket or make fun patterns with the buttons or close your eyes and point. But that does absolutely nothing for your country. Know who you're voting for and know why. Please. If you don't know that, stay home and shut up.
Excited - because it really is a duty and a privilege to vote. I first voted in 2004, and I haven't missed an election yet. I love my country, and I want to see it prosper. One of the best ways to do that is to be involved in electing its leaders.
Nervous - because you never know what the future holds. What if my guy doesn't win? What if he does and turns out to be a complete jackass? There's a lot of power in my vote.
Annoyed - at the people who think their vote doesn't count for anything. Yes, I did just tell you to stay home if you aren't informed because I think you are wasting your vote and throwing a lot of power away. And no, our system isn't perfect. But one of the ways you change it and make it better is by voting. So don't tell me that my vote doesn't mean anything. (This is especially true for Christians. Don't think you should be involved?
Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...
Nice try.)
Relaxed - because ultimately it's not in my hands. Whatever happens happens. God reigns, He knows what is to come, and I know that no matter what, He is in control. Does that mean He won't let this country end up in the toilet? Not at all. God is merciful. But He is also a Judge. Life isn't like a soap opera where you can lie and cheat and murder and some miraculous twist gets you out of it. Sometimes, you have to pay for your crimes. And most of the time, your crimes drag the rest of the world down with you. Did you read that verse up there? Or did you just skim it? Because I'm pretty sure it says "Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good."
I hope you did vote today. I hope you were informed and conscientious in your decisions. If not, I hope you remember what I said for next time. Because this will likely be the only time you hear this opinion. (At least until the next election.)
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