Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Let's Discuss the Issues

This post is going to be about politics.  If you do not wish to read it, navigate away from this page now.

Let me say up front that it is not my intent to offend.  I do know that there are many that follow me here, on FaceBook and Twitter, that subscribe to different political and social views.  Please do not assume you know what I am going to say.  I am no one's lapdog.  I parrot no party's talking points.  I encourage you to read on.  I believe that you will agree with me.

For the sake of full disclosure, I am a registered Independent.  In the last presidential election, I voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

I must say that I am disappointed with the state of politics in our nation.  We have left, not just the foundation our Founding Fathers laid, but have slipped down the precipice of party-politics.  Election years in our nation have become a time for mud-slinging and ad hominem attacks, not the time for civilized debate of issues that are relevant to our society.  In the last few days, we have seen a presidential press secretary mockingly writing on his hand, looking little like a member of a presidential administration and more like a bit character on Saturday Night Live.  We have seen the "heir-apparant" of the GOP nomination, while speaking before a grass-roots separatist movement, encourage them to align with her party.  These people have "left" both parties because of policies.  Why would they re-align themselves with one?  I assume because they like her??

My point is this:  no one, especially politicians, talk about the issues anymore.  We know longer call our representatives by that title.  We call them Congressmen/Congresswomen.  Which is just as well since they do not represent their constituents.  When the politicians of today do speak, they rarely discuss issues.  They discuss grid-lock; they discuss how horrible the leaders of the other party are; they discuss how there is no dialogue.  And when they return to their home districts, they dismiss the views of the people as backward, unsophisticated, un-cosmopolitan, and narrow-minded.  What happened to being able to voice my opinion without someone attacking my intelligence?  Attack my logic.  Attack my premise.  Attack my assumptions.  But unprovoked ad hominem attacks are unwarranted and futile.  They get us nowhere.

Why are we afraid of debate?  Our Republic was founded upon debate.  The problem is that many fail to read history.  Re-read the minutes of the Continental Congress.  There was much debate among the Founders of our nation.  We somehow have arrived at the idea that they just came together and magically, mystically, spiritually they were like-minded.  That is simply not the case.  There was vigorous debate.  And we should not be afraid to engage in debate--true debate of the issues--once again.

I believe the current nature of politics has fostered the rise of the Third Parties ( like the Constitution Party) and the separatist movements (like the Tea Party).  Many in these United States have had enough. Many are tired of their voice not being heard.  It is time to discuss--and I mean TRULY discuss--the issues facing our Republic.  We have gotten off the path of a true representative government.  It is time to let your voice be heard....whatever your viewpoint.  I encourage you to write or call your Representative.  They were elected to represent you.  They can't represent you if they don't hear you.

It is time to get our nation back on track.  And we have to start by discussing the issues.

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