Here we are again. Election season. How do you feel about the candidates? No matter your political persuasion, you must be tired of the name-calling, fact distortion, and endless TV political commercials. I have been voting for almost 25 years now in too many elections to count and don't remember ever being so frustrated with the American discourse on all things political. Has it always been this bitter?
American comedian Jon Stewart announced his "Rally to Restore Sanity" to be held in Washington D.C. on October 30. I looked at going even though the trip for me would be long and expensive. Man, I would really like to be there. To do my small part from a distance, I have composed today's list to encourage more listening and less screaming about some very important decisions taking place across the country.
1. Read the "other" side
Before you start fighting, take time to think about the issue from another's perspective. I am very fortunate to have grown up with two parents who have different political views. They taught us to look at both sides before making a decision.
2. Remember the source
We used to open the paper and turn on the news to get news. Now, depending on what channel you watch, you get commentary and distortion. I dislike it coming from either side. I want unbiased information so I can form my own opinion. As a result of our shift in media, we have to take a step back and filter what we hear and see. It may not be factual.
3. Volunteer for a candidate
When my oldest daughter was an infant, I decided to become politically active. I had a party of choice and went off to a county meeting to participate. I learned more in a few weeks about how the political process works than in 16 years of history, government and civics lessons. There's nothing like being in the front lines to learn.
4. Allow another opinion
The beautiful thing about running a country is that it isn't yes or no and black or white. It's multidimensional. Somewhere in the last decade or two, we have become focused on being right and making the other guy wrong by default. When talking about the issues, give your opponent the benefit of the doubt.
5. Do your research
A few years ago in a nearby city, people voted for a candidate who was in jail and unavailable to take office. Why? Because no one paid attention to the fact that she was a convict. They knew her name and voted. Scary, isn't it?
6. Donate to a cause
I think politics has gotten ugly because people tie one party or another to a social cause. If you are pro something, donate to an organization that supports that. Do not take it out on the government. We cannot get things accomplished unless we vote for people who will work together.
7. Think future tense
Think about what our children will inherit if we continue this path of partisanship. I read today about Serbia, a country once divided by a terrible ethnic war. 15 years later, the country lives in enclaves based on religion. Unemployment is 60%. Do we want a red and blue divide to create that for our children?
8. Adopt a world view
Having a multilingual husband helps me here. Franz reads the news in several languages and is shocked by the information we do not see here in the U.S. Did you know we left toxic waste sitting out in the open in Thule, Greenland? Neither did I. Thank goodness I have Google translator to help since I speak only English.
9. Look back
I confess, I am not a huge fan of history. In school, I found it pretty dull. As an adult, I don't know as much as I'd like. Knowing what we used to be can only help us as we move forward.
10. Vote!
Less than 10% of registered voters will show up at the polls in early November. It's generally less than half when the President is on the ballot. It's been so many generations of voting that we have forgotten what a gift we have. Take a look at what citizens in Iraq and The Congo go through in order to vote. We should not care any less than they do.
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