Politics Rants

When our founding father's created this country not even 250 years ago, it was much different than it is today. With the upcoming elections for Florida's Governor, as well as governors everywhere, and just the large amount of hype politics is receiving lately, it's just really got me thinking. I watch ad after ad of mudslinging candidates advertising for their party, hear of democrats supporting democrats, republicans supporting republicans.

Did you know that when America was originally founded, the father's didn't even want parties at all? Apparently that didn't work out. Naturally, people took their own views, and found groups of people who supported their views, and so on. Thus, the parties were born, from federalists to anti-federalists. The list of parties today goes on and on and on - and yet, if they're so great, is this the reason why so many people are registering as independent's these days? I almost can't really blame them. I'd be sick of the mudslinging from party to party, the disgust with which each treats each other. That's not what America is supposed to be like. That's not what we're supposed to treat each other like.


I do support the Libertarian Party, am a libertarian-conservative, and hold many of those views. I support gun rights, the legalization of marijuana, the benefits that would result from major tax cuts, less government spending, smaller government, and many other things. However, I do believe in keeping my eyes open and looking at each candidate not just for what party he stands for, but for what he stands for. And I can really see how parties can be a bad thing for several reasons.


Firstly, they split us up as Americans. We are supposed to be the United States of America. Back when America was first around, the British saw us and joked about us being the Disunited States of America - well, just look at us now! We seem very Disunited indeed. Hating our fellow neighbor and not letting him get a word in if he dares to oppose your views. We should ALL be proud to be Americans. Not just proud to be a Republican, proud to be a Democrat - we're still all people. We're still all a part of this country. We should act like it. I'm not saying parties are completely bad - but at the same time, I think people take them a little too seriously. We should all - and that means YOU TOO, candidates - be treating each other with respect. Guys, there have been some great republican presidents. Ronald Reagan, of course, namely -Teddy Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln. And there have been some equally great Democratic Presidents! - John F. Kennedy, and even Clinton come his second term, did wonderful jobs. My point is, there's something that everyone can bring to the table as both president and as an American, whether Democrat or Republican or another party. Those people are still unique people and the men I listed - and many more I did not list - each and all did amazing things for our country. 
If we opened our eyes long enough to look past democrats and republicans, we'd see that both of these parties have some good ideas and there's a lot we could learn from them. In life, we are both teacher and student - we learn some, we teach some. You don't know everything, no matter what party you belong to!


Secondly, if we were less inclined to vote for someone merely because of party affiliation, I think American voters would be far more encouraged to learn more about a candidate and educate themselves on government better. I believe many candidates are guilty of hiding behind party lines and affiliations, not called upon enough to truly present their views and what they're all about. You can  never really be sure of who you're voting for based on what he or she says alone. You need to find out for yourself as well - and that doesn't just mean watching the news or listening to political ads. Check different sources, see what information can be validated. I'm a big supporter of being educated before voting. Call me ridiculous, but I do think that if you should have to take a citizenship test, drivers license test, CPT's and SAT's to get in college, and get a permit to carry a weapon, then you should have to take a test to vote. Basically, if you are not educated enough to know how the American system works, and who it is you are voting for, YOU SHOULDN'T BE VOTING! It's as plain as that. Voters NEED to know what they're doing. Regardless of whether a candidate says he is republican or democrat, or another party, you need to learn about him or her! What do they stand for, what have they done, what are their goals? Research, research, research. And form your own views and opinions on the way! Does said person agree with you on this point? Maybe not, but what's the most important thing you're looking for in a candidate? Do you honestly think they would do a good job in office? What is their background like? Ask questions, and find answers. Voting is not a privilege - it's a right our ancestors fought and died for. That's a pretty hefty price to pay for something you take for granted today. Get out there and educate yourselves.


We are Americans. We are supposed to stand for freedom, liberty, and justice. Don't just sit back and let the government take over - don't take the easy route out and let them feed  you all that they're saying about how they'll give you free this, free that. A government with enough power to give you anything you want, can just as easily take it all away. Don't let America lose the principles it once stood on that made her the most prosperous country in the world. Despite her present shortcomings, America is still an amazing country, one we should be proud to be a part of. And then we should use this pride to take action - to educate ourselves, to defend our rights, to keep this country the land of the truly free and the home of the brave. Stand up for yourselves, Americans, or one day it may be too late.