Although I have voted in the past, I have never been particularly involved in politics. I have known a few local politicians and I have been informed by media as to the national goings on, but I have never taken the time to really think through why I should or should not vote for a particular candidate for various elected offices.
I, would have said 5 years ago that I am a Conservative who sides more with Republicans than Democrats but it depends more on the candidate. In all honesty, that was probably just a bunch of "bs". I didn't really know enough to have formed an opinion about ANY party or candidate or policy. All I saw or knew was what my friends, family and church presented. Which all too often, meant that I would be "for" a candidate only because he or she was the one fighting for "moral" views. (Against abortion, against gay marriage, etc.) In fact, I knew very little about actual policies that affected my everyday life. Things like health care or fiscal responsibility. I knew nothing about what portion of our tax dollars funded various parts of the government. I knew nothing about what any of the candidates felt toward our military or what they really had planned out to do about the unemployment rate. Or things like funding repairs to our highways, or providing higher pay for our teachers in our public school system. I was really clueless.
And, I can even say, as far as the "moral" standpoints that are so important to most conservatives, I really didn't know how I felt about them as much as I knew what was expected of me as a Christian and well, a Conservative Baptist more specifically.
I am ashamed of that. I am ashamed to say that the one presidential election I actually voted in, I voted for the person my family told me to. I didn't research that candidate or really know anything about either of the people who made it to the end. I did what was expected of me by those around me. Looking back, I honestly can't tell you if I would have voted for the same person had I known all the policies and platforms held by both parties. It's a bit late and irrelevant to go back and rehash my choice. I just wish I had the peace of mind that meant I can say I made an educated decision. And the next presidential election, well, by then I was more aware and knew more about things. I didn't like either candidate for many reasons, but I knew who was my preference of the two, but I didn't actually get out and vote. Why? Well, my ex husband thought it was senseless, and through a few years of moving around several times, when it came right down to it, I wasn't registered to vote in my area and I couldn't afford to drive all the way back to where I was registered at.
Here. Now. Today. I am for reasons beyond my current control, unable to actually vote in any election. But, that doesn't mean I should be uneducated or not work hard to see that the best choices for our country ARE elected. I am learning. I am searching. I am reading and getting the facts straight. I am not going to step out and say I am "for" or "against" anyone without really seeing what they stand for on MANY levels. Not just the moral standpoint.
And honestly, the moral/social issues that Conservatives tend to pull and pick out of every other policy out there, are not the least bit important to me anymore. The fact is, our country needs more than just someone who agrees with us morally, Biblically or Spiritually. We need a man or woman in every elected position who is there to do the job right. Who wants our country to be self sufficient and thriving. Who wants to minimize debt, create jobs, provide health care for those who need it and continue providing support for the people who can't, for whatever reason, fully support themselves.
Do I as a Christian want a Christian in every elected office? Yes, of course I do. But in all honesty, how many of our so called Christian politicians actually act and behave and perform their jobs in a manner that is LIKE CHRIST?
Gradually, over the next several months and into the 2012 election year, I am going to continue researching, learning and growing as an individual. And I am going to share that growth and knowledge here with you, my readers. I am not going to take the side of any party or any politician. It's not my job to tell you or anyone else who to vote for. My job, my concern, is to be educated. To understand and see what our country truly needs. To learn what areas are being affected in our elections (aside from the often talked about social issues). Mostly, to give, here on this blog, an unbiased viewpoint. Objective. Not fueled by party policies or by selfish concerns. I want to help educate others on where our country is struggling and needs the most change...and maybe, suggesting what I see as ways to change it.
In this post today, I am not trying to take sides or fight fights regarding ANY issue. I am simply using this platform to let others know it's time we actually learned something. We need to read and listen outside of the media. We need to learn for ourselves and not just "go with the crowd". Whether that crowd be our friends, family, workplace, state or church. We as individuals DO make differences and CAN make this country a better place.
