First, I think I owe an apology to some of my friends and family. Over the past 18 months I've sent a few unsolicited-politically-charged emails and more recently I've used facebook to express my opinions. These actions may have rubbed some people the wrong way and for that I am truly sorry. I recognize that this is a subject that many people are passionate about and I hope that in expressing my views I haven't been offensive.
Also, I hope that I haven't been too negative about our current situation. I want to express how much I love this country and I'm so grateful that we can disagree with each other and the government and work for our different causes. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for opposing viewpoints. I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Some have complained that this election has cost too much money and that it has all been a waste. I don't think so at all, freedom is priceless and worth every effort and penny.
(That being said, please stop reading here if you find opposition to Obama offensive.)
Secondly, I feel a need to explain myself. Almost two years ago word spread that Mitt Romney would be running for president. This made me very nervous, as a fellow Latter-day Saint I was very concerned about the mudslinging in politics and worried that it was going to come in my general direction. I started reading a lot about politics.
In the spring of 2007 I was pregnant and miserably sick during the first trimester. I read incessantly to distract me from the awful nausea. I learned a few things during that time, the first is that journalists have an agenda and by and large they are liberally minded. (I know, I'm a little slow on that one.) After pouring over articles daily I was appalled that so many writers would twist and contort things to fit to their liking. I knew that most Americans weren't reading political news for 8-10 hours a day like I was and they weren't getting a complete picture of the candidates, their positions, their records and the full context of all those variables. Instead America read headlines on MSNBC or Yahoo and heard sound bites on CNN that consistently leaned to the left and most assuredly reinforced the shortcomings of the GOP candidates, particularly the ones they felt would be most difficult to defeat.
After much deliberation I sided with Ron Paul. Even though he was never considered a top-tier candidate I agreed with everything on his platform and I felt passionate about promoting his campaign. For months I watched in disbelief as the media did everything possible to squelch his campaign. He was a threat to Republicans and Democrats because he had an entirely consistent record, no history of backscratching, he opposed the war and most importantly he defended the Constitution unfailingly. Those with power and money don't want a man in office that can't be bought or persuaded for their own special interests. His campaign was first ignored and then ridiculed.
I did what I could. I donated money, joined political forums, I put a sign in our yard, talked with friends and neighbors, I made phone calls, and sent emails. Unfortunately, it was like trying to dam a river with a toothpick. The power and the influence of the media is overwhelming. I'm sure it's great for Obama fans, it's probably a lot like setting up a sail and letting the wind carry the boat.
Here we are almost two years later, though it feels like decades, Romney is out, Clinton was trampled on, Huckabee is missing in action with Chuck Norris, and Ron Paul's campaign is a memory. Some will only remember Ron Paul in terms of a name spray-painted on a bed sheet, hanging from the overpass on the freeway. To others, like me, Ron Paul is a quiet hero that stood his ground in defending the Constitution - no matter what!
Who do we have left? McCain and Obama, two people I disagree with. I honestly can't support either of them, so I voted third party. It's depressing and frustrating. With Obama and McCain on the ballot I feel a deep sense of hopelessness.
I'm looking down Obama's path and I see a dead end. Socialism (I'm not trying to be offensive here, I'm just calling it what it is) demands taking liberty from the people and giving more control and power to the government. Many are fine with Obama having that control, but what about the presidents that follow? Could there be another Bush in our future that will have even more power and influence? Is socialism going to be limited to the banking and health care industries? What else will the government "have to" control?
Sometimes I wish I could get caught up in the hysteria. I would love to be in the middle of the excitement of dawning a new era, leaving all the negative behind and pioneering a new path. That would be refreshing and exhilarating. And at other times I wish I didn't care at all. Apathy seems like an easy and amiable course.
However, I do care and I am alarmed that at this moment America stands at the crossroads and appears ready to move towards bigger government with the "hope" that that will cure our problems. Obama recently called those who oppose his proposals "selfish." That's really hard for me to swallow. I've been called many things and some deservedly, but I know that I am not selfish. This is about more than just money, the price for his new government is our liberty. Liberty lost is never easily regained. Yes, Senator Obama, I am selfish with liberty. You can add it to the list of things stubborn Americans cling to.
I disagree with the campaign's promoted philosophy of "Yes we can!" because what follows is, "... vote for a man that will change our country." With the loss of liberty the power of the people is being handed to the government.
I believe that America's greatness lies in the hearts and minds of the people. Undoubtably we face challenges. The question lies in how we are going to address them. Are we going to have more government or less? Will we create a system of learned helplessness and a nanny-state or will we nurture self-reliance and personal accountability? We could embrace changing the country by ourselves. Why do we need the government to have greater control? Do we need more social programs to fight poverty? Is the government going to handle Universal Health care the same way they've mismanaged Social Security? Do we need the government to hand over alternative energy sources or can we innovate that ourselves? The government can not do this as well as the people can. Americans give more time and money than any nation on earth. We are industrious, creative and very capable. We have resources and we have people that care.
We will see presidents come and go in our lifetime. I hope that at election time will embrace sound principles that cherish freedom and liberty above all else. I hope that when we face problems we won't point a blaming finger towards Washington, rather we can look within ourselves for the solution. Working collectively, without coercion, we can care for ourselves, each other and the world.
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence. It is force. And force, like fire, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
- George Washington
12 comments:
Well said, Melissa. You are not alone in your thinking ...that's one thought that gives me comfort. I have great apprehension and anxiety about the future, but you're right, we live in a great country with great people. The one thought that occurred to me today, because I stubbornly cling to my religion, is that now is one time we really need to exercise our faith in the Lord and his plan. Things may get bad, but we still have the gospel.
Wonderfully written. I very much agree with you. I agree that the media is very biased. I did most of my research this year sampling from many different independent sources hoping to gain a more truthful view on this year's election.
I also was dissapointed by our two major presidential candidates and could not, with good concience, vote for either of them, so I voted 3rd party as well.
I am amazed at where our country sits. My husband shook his head as he watched the election coverage last night saying "How did we get here?" I wonder how many of the overwhelming number of Obama supporters realize what they've done. What road we've set our foot to, and where it will take us. I have to believe that they don't, or they would never choose it.
It's a little heartening, though to see that Prop 8 will most likely pass. It is a close one.
Thanks for the link to your blog from your facebook status! This was a great post! Thanks for sharing it! I loved reading your previous post about what you were doing in years past, I'll have to make one of my own when I get the time!
Hear, hear! I'm glad we're far enough along as a country that the color of the President's skin doesn't matter. However, like Melissa, I disagree with his socialistic policies and don't particularly care for McCain either. Since Obama's campaign seemed to be entirely about "Hope" without reason, I hope he will be a great president because we need one right now...
Melissa, if everyone thought like you the very powers of darkness would be bound forever.
Thanks for speaking out! You haven't offended everyone ;-)
I liked Ron Paul too, but it always comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils and I think the American people made the right choice given the two candidates.
I take comfort in the fact that the President, with all his power, is just a small piece in a larger machine that was designed to be balanced and controlled.
I think the most important thing now is that we remain United as a country because that's where the real power of this country lies.
Melissa, I'm soo proud of you! You did your best & most important you educated yourself. I too feel very frustrated with the whole Facebook mentality of not looking into the real issues. Neither McCain or Obama would do much for me but most certain Obama will most likely sink my business. A business my husband started 15 years ago and has been our livelyhood. Regardless it all said and done and we will survive. I never thought Clinton would have been good, but somehow they were the best years we had in business. So, I'm keeping my head high and staying clear from kool aid drinkers. Once again congrats to you for being an active American!
Well said my friend, well said.
Amen! I agree with everything you've said! I admire you for taking such an interest in politics. Have you ever considered writing a book? Remember when we were in Chicago and Obama was first running for Congress? I remember watching his ads on TV. That was only 4 years ago! SO crazy! I think I'm in shock! I love your halloween pics. You guys all looked great! Russ cracks me up!
Great post! I know there are many that feel as strongly as you do about this past election. I can't imagine facing a defeat of sorts without having the gospel principles to help me through. On a positive note, California did pass the Marriage amendment. I will take that over either of the presidential nominees. Obama is fully supportive of that ammendement too?? Maybe that's the only thing I even like about him.
Amen (again)!
I also echo the thought of excercising our Faith... we just have to keep trucking along and doing the best we can to live by our principals.
I share your passion on this matter; sadly,not your eloquence.
I've studied appalling Russian history under Stalin, and vile Nazi atrocities and ideals of Hitler. I think if Americans had any grip on history or vision of the future we would recognize and reject this path to Socialism. Remember the "Red Scare?"
Have Americans become such self-centered spoiled children that we cannot think things through, prepare, and be accountable for ourselves? We've got to look beyond the moment and think, "Where does this path lead?"
I know there is a place for social programs, but consider the incentives. Would I be motivated to work if I can get support from gov't programs? No, I instead use my bored brain to become expert at milking the system. Over time I become a leech, offering nothing to the economy. Or, consider this: as long as I'm alive and needing medical care, I'm a burden on the government healthcare system. The program saves money when I die and thus no longer require care. Where's the incentive for quality care in this plan?
Why can't Americans (or is it the Media) stomach religion? Our country was founded by godfearing people. Is that so offensive? What logic makes it more tolerable to curse, insult, silence or persecute those with faith & moral values than those who don't? That seems fundamentally unamerican to me.
Thank you for voting conscientiously and posting your convictions. Now is not the time to keep silent nor give up. Stay true, sister. You're not alone.
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