Politics

I just responded to a friend's blog on a post that touched on the political realm, and it sparked some thoughts. Most I have had for awhile, just thought I would write them down.

What is the job of a politician? Most would probably respond that their job is to govern, to enact or enforce or interpret laws in the way that would best help the American people. And that is true, that is what they should be doing. But in looking at what their job is I tend to look at what got them the job in the first place and what they have to do to keep the job. In other words, what are they most concerned about on a day to day basis?

Most politicians' number one goal is to stay in office, to get re-elected, and in order to do that they have to get the voters to like them. Sure, this is basic stuff, Government 101. But what most of us overlook is that most politicians will say just about anything to get elected. Ok, we will usually acknowledge this, but only about the guy we don't like. But in reality even the person who you most strongly support is shaping his message in a way to get your support. Don't think so? Then why do they all have campaign managers, public relation groups and speech writers? So that they can make sure they say the right thing. Hit the right issues. Find out what the polls say and get the message across that I agree with you on the issues you think are important.

I'm not trying to say they are all liars and deceivers. What I am saying is we really don't know the thought of the politicians. We know their campaign promises, we know the way their PR person told them to respond to questions, and we can see their actions of the past, but we really don't know them.


And the problem is even worse when it come to the political parties. We all have the items we think are most important, and there is usually a party that comes closer to matching your ideas on those issues. The problem is when that translates to a blind following. A couple of examples I see today - on one side you have those who believe the promise that one party will get them more money, and so they blindly follow. On the other side you have those who believe this party is more religious and so blindly follow anything they say. Even if one side is totally correct on everything (which I don't believe), blind following is never a good thing.

I don't believe one party is inherently better than the other. You have to look at each issue one at a time and make up your own mind. That includes everything: abortion, prayer in school, immigration, terrorism, poverty/welfare, the environment, big business accountability, taxing fairly ... think about each one and decide your stance. Don't just spout the party line without having really thought it out.

I actually hate the two party system we have here in America. It seems to force everybody into the "us against them" mentality. If your values tend closer to what is normally considered a liberal stance you are hated and vilified by the conservatives. And a conservative is ridiculed and harrassed by the liberals. If you are more moderate both sides dislike you while at the same time trying to win you over.

I am by nature more conservative in my beliefs. I think a lot of it comes from the way I was raised and the environment I am surrounded by. But I have some friends who are much more liberal, and there have been many times in discussing issues that I have been challenged to rethink my reasons for a certain stance. And the same is true for them too. I have often found that both of us have not really thought out everything about an issue and the reasons for thinking a certain stance is right. When I approach that issue in a fresh light I am forced to decide if I was correct or not. Get input from both sides and weigh them, thinking it through from every angle. Even if I don't agree with the different opinions I find, there is usually validity to some part of their argument. Or maybe just some side to the issue that had never occurred to me.

Be willing to challenge your own preconceptions, and actually listen to those around you. Who knows, maybe they have a point.