The midterm voting has commenced! I find it imperative that we all vote. As cliché as it can be to say how important it is to vote, it has a deep impact. Deeper than you think. The first time I can remember an election is President George W. Bush.  Laying in my grandma’s bed watching the television as she stood in front of the tv. I remember it being exciting and yet I didn’t understand any of it. Just the memory in the back of my mind that I am so grateful to have. I also remember during the election of President Obama, walking to the nearest polling place from our house with my mom. She showed me how voting worked. The action of voting was exciting too but I still didn’t fully grasp at 15 years old what politics was about. All I knew is that a President is chosen to run our country and it is important to have leadership.

I am very passionate about people and learning different backgrounds and cultures. My closest friends and family might all agree together that they do not know what I really think when it comes to politics though. So here I am sharing all my thoughts.

This blog was inspired by witnessing so many Facebook conversations turning ugly. People I considered friends bashing on their friends for what they believe. I am not a saint. I may not have taken to social media to shame anyone but I certainly did it out loud after reading comments and posts. Whoever was nearby to hear me get my thoughts off my chest (many times my cat). Whatever, it’s all the same! Negativity and hateful words breed more of it. We also have our opinions of people altered after we see the ugly side of them. It’s really sad. All of us are only human and its easy to say mean things from behind a screen. It’s also easy to forget the people you are talking to are regular people with feelings and flaws just like you. Anyway, all the emotions boiled over to this blog. Where I am not only talking to my cat but I am hopefully conveying my words and thoughts in a way that is fruitful. No hate. No negativity. Questions and comments that bring healthy conflict are welcome. I learned that healthy conflict is a thing. My pastors put the two words together and explained their healthy conflict and I realized I have experienced that!

So now the votes are being counted.

I was talking with a friend the other day and they stated how interesting it is when you think about why we take politics personally. It stumped me the more and more I thought it through. Why do we get sensitive about it? Why do we judge people based off of who they voted for? Think about it for a few minutes…

Why do we associate politics with identity? You could argue it is a part of our belief system. But then would you argue church and state? Separate beliefs from state issues. In a recent article one said, “We are also told that we “should not mix religion and politics.”…This saying has a powerful truth: that when religion is used for political purposes, it empties religion of its eternal meaning and becomes just one more cynical method of acquiring power.” This polarized me. I had to take a few minutes after reading this and think hard about why I bring my religion into politics.

Here is my thinking: I believe in the Holy Bible to be inspired, the only infallible and authoritative Word of God. I have a relationship with Him and live my life according to His purpose for me. Insert your religious/spiritual/etc. beliefs where I just wrote mine. Please tell me how you separate your beliefs from what is affecting our nation. I really don’t think it is possible. Your beliefs should provoke the reasons why you think the way you do about political topics. I know this sounds silly but think about what YOUR higher power would choose when filling out the ballot. Not what your political party would choose or your friend or family. That’s what truly matters at the end of it all. Political parties are chosen based on the side where your beliefs lie the most. I will tell you that my beliefs do not lie on a particular side. I promise I am not just saying that for the sake of this blog. You can read a test result I have based on policies being brought to the 2018 midterm table. I will be honest, the results are contradicting. Do any moderates find themselves to feel contradicting?

I know you are dying for an example so here…I side slightly towards individualism, meaning I more often support free market policies that create opportunity for personal liberty and success rather than collectivism. However, I believe in extreme globalism, meaning I strongly support policies that prioritize the interests of the entire world above those of individual nations. I care about people. I care about what is right and just and ethical for everyone. I don’t know what party this throws me under so I don’t focus on that. Rather, I educate myself by talking to people, reading up on politics coming from every political background. I research things I don’t understand and I ask a lot of questions. Take this tip as well…don’t spend a lot of time on it. Do not submerge yourself so much that it consumes you. It is an earthly matter. Politics were created by human beings which means there are bound to be flaws in the system hence, our imperfect nation/world.

I encourage people to spend less time debating who the better side is because that tends to divide. Focus on what you care about and look into who is advocating the best way and who would you get behind based on their values and morals and character. Character does matter in politics! That person you vote for is going to be a global leader. We better choose one that best represents us as the people of this diverse and beautiful world.

I hope everyone did their due diligence by voting!

Let me know what you think!

Simply,

LB