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Like me, you may find that when the subject of politics comes up, people quickly make assumptions about what you think about everything.
You may know what it's like to be challenged about your views, once people learn you follow political or national events.
I decided it might be helpful ...and you might decide the same re: your opinions...to set the record straight regarding the major topics on my mind and my general views.
I prepared some FAQs. Let me know what you think.
What about Bush? This question about President Bush usually relates to Iraq.
My views about this war in Iraq and Afghanistan are based on our law: no president can take us into war without the agreement of Congress.
Were we right to attack Iraq to defeat Saddam Hussein's tyranny? At times I am inclined to think, "no." There are other tyrants, although in less politically strategic places at this time.
Should we succeed before American troops leave Iraq? Yes, we should.
The war in Afghanistan and Iraq continues to exact huge human costs. I suspect that anytime we leave Iraq, protesters will launch campaigns for us to pull out of Afghanistan, too.
What about this mortgage crisis? The muddle that built into a colossal disaster raises more questions---including those to do with homeowners that intentionally defaulted on mortgages once the crisis hit, to avoid a "down" housing market.
What about this oil crisis and over-dependency on foreign oil? One thing I love about free democracies is that they encourage individual ideas and initiatives that help many. You might be interested to visit T. Boone Pickens' web site: http://www.pickensplan.com/
What about the college costs; should loans be repaid? Of course!
Aren't you concerned about "the reputation of the U. S. in the eyes of the world?!" Yes, and disrespect for the president or the congress helps a "low view"
of America abroad. Forceful disagreement can be expressed without resorting to disrespect.
Why is the president leading us farther into trouble in the world and at home? Why are some Americans forgetting that we have a government of three powers, balancing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial? In cases that involve these three branches, every citizen "wins some" or "loses some" regarding their preferences, until the next discussion or vote is cast.
Why does a President or a Congress catch all the heat? Sorry to repeat myself: same answer as above, regarding forgetfulness.
Beyond FAQs:
The People: Every U. S. president and members of congress should respect this country's people; under the U. S. Constitution, the people hold power, which they lend to politicians for limited periods of time. Office-holders should never demean citizens or belittle them at home or abroad.
It saddens me that national political language often resorts to name-calling. They would do better by trying to develop convincing arguments.
Founding Fathers: It is likely that the Founding Fathers debated each other boisterously. However, no one stomped out threatening to leave the birthing nation, did they? No one moved to another country due to not getting his way at the time, did they? You get my drift, I'm sure.
I wish more people would find a copy of the movie "1776," turn off phones, computers, and Blackberrys, and watch it in its entirety.
It distresses me to know that many Americans sometimes feel like the "1776" message from George Washington to those meeting in Philadelphia: "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?"
Government, in general: Over some of the issues that we face, I am not sure how much the Government should try to legislate.
Office of the President of the United States: I cringe when I hear disrespectful words or gestures toward the Office of the President of the United States/the President---of whichever political party.
When it is said of any U. S. president, "Throw him out!" we need to remember that we do not throw presidents out. We leave that to autocracies, theocracies, and people with no other choice because they have no free vote, free movement, or free expression. We are a democracy, and free democracies act differently: they vote.
Remember to vote. If you have not registered, please do so. Use the right to vote; the blood of America's first citizens bought that right to continue a free country by it.
If you did not vote last time, can you complain believably now?
Special Interests: Sad also is special interest action that comes close to blackmail. I apply this view to everyone of any extreme in any direction; right, left, or center, I do not like the kinds of threatening pressures that many groups apply today. As a Christian, I especially find it distasteful when people of any religion use threats to win points or battles. Similarly, I dislike boastful displays of power or influence by anyone---inside or outside government life.
It distresses me that there are those who fuel fires of division but do not show they care on a personal, immediate level.
Finally, about President Bush: President Bush's calm, sure, and strong assurances of national will in the days, weeks, and months after 9/11 earned enormous respect. He reassured the nation that he would not shrink from tough times or difficult choices. His leadership at that time earned national respect.
So has his strong support for HIV-AIDS initiatives and community help among the poor.
I admire this president for protecting the nation and lifting it up, in spite of different views. I appreciate that he has never criticized or belittled its people.
Some of his views and decisions I do not agree with.
I think many people do not hear his words or his tone; otherwise, they would not speak of him cruelly. Disagreement is one thing; name-calling and threats are another.
I pray for the present President, the First Lady, their family, and the Congress. t intend to do the same for the next President and Congress.
Life teaches this, after all: "Don't assume; listen; question; learn. Get as many clear answers as possible, legally, democratically, and fairly." And vote!
Thank you, dear friends, for reading this far. That's all for now.
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