Most people want many of the same things. Human beings are far more alike than different. Today we hear over and over that we, as a country, are greatly divided. Of course, we have differences but how about the things that unite us.
Let’s focus on some of the desires and concerns that most Americans have. Basic desires: safety for our families and ourselves; good education to prepare kids for the future; tight community bonds; choose our careers and futures; be proud of our country/patriotism, focus on our strengths and what unites us and work to make our communities and country better, etc.
During this upcoming mid-term election we have the privilege, opportunity, duty and responsibility to vote – to have a voice. So, we will vote. We will choose men and women to represent us and to make important, and hopefully, positive choices.
In the past elections we have basically had Democrat or Republican candidates. But recently we watched Democratic Socialists win in the primaries.
And they will be on the ballot as Democrats. I listened to an interview of Megan Romer, co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America. This is what she said they are planning to do: abolish the Senate, replace the president and Supreme Court, abolish ICE, abolish national borders, give amnesty to those currently and illegally living in the U.S., defund the Pentagon, abolish prisons, have government and public ownership of most large corporations, own the means of production, etc Do we want these goals to be accomplished?
The Democratic party does not seem to have the fortitude to oppose these goals but is incorporating them. And so, if we vote for a Democrat, we are basically voting for the above policies. The word “political” comes from the root word polis, which means “city” or “city-state”. From polis comes the idea of relating to the civic life of citizens. We must have policies to successfully live side by side in community and we must have wisdom to choose the candidates with the best policies.
Not the best-looking candidate or the most eloquent but the one with the best policy for our good and for the good of our country.
And please remember that the Democrat platform is quite different from the Republican platform. Neither is perfect but one, if they follow the Democratic Socialists, is focused on transforming/tearing down and the other party more focused on conserving and building up and “forming a more perfect union.” MORE perfect is the goal. Good, sound policy should be our focus as we mark our ballots on November 3. ---Voter guides to check out: ChristianVoterGuide.com; frcaction.org; nebraskavoterguide.com
Fran Cupples
Fullerton