Election Anyone?

The election is coming up. Oh boy. I don’t know about the rest of you, but beyond my own hopes and fears regarding the outcome and everything it all means for my country, my own life, my children’s and beyond, I am finding myself really not knowing what I should “do” about it (I am not referring to voting, obviously, or actually getting involved in a campaign, not that that isn’t a great thing but just not something I am interested in doing at this point in time). Perhaps you might be having many of the same thoughts.

I think as mature adults, we often feel it is our responsibility and even a privilege to try to make a difference. This is why so many people frequently post articles, links, comments, etc. It seems wrong to just sit back and say nothing. But are comments, links, articles and more that are blasted out to the masses, who by the way are people I generally like, not only effective but worth it?

Yes I’m primarily talking about Facebook. Those that are on it know what I mean. I like Facebook. I like it for fun. I like it as an outlet. I like it for finding common ground with others. I am even okay with people using it for whatever they want to use it for, because in that they are showing who they are, or who they want people to think they are. But I guess the problem is when one side goes on the attack. If it’s attacking my side, then regardless if I want to mind my own business, I then want to defend. But I don’t want to argue with these people. I know it will go nowhere.

So I find myself in this constant state of conflict. Do I say something? Do I hold my tongue? Do I respond? Then what will follow once I respond? Then I’m really in the middle of it. Then I open myself to attacks from pretty much anybody. Do I be proactive and go on the attack? Do I dare just make a funny joke that really everyone on both sides should appreciate but ultimately will probably stir people up? (Like the other night I was thinking that a great post would be “One thing’s for sure, Slick Willie’s still slick.” But then would people know what I meant by it? Would they be offended? Would they think it was funny? Better say nothing.)

And though I definitely lean to one side, as the nation continues to become ever more polarized I find myself being pushed even farther to that side. The real truth is, even though I lean heavily to one side, I think we need both sides. One side is stronger in one area, the other side stronger in another. When we keep alternating, some things stay in check. But it’s getting harder to alternate when the two sides are getting more extreme. Where are the moderates? Seems like moderates would do the best job, right? A moderate would please more people and do things that made more sense to all.

Then there’s religion. I’m Mormon. A certain candidate is also Mormon. I get not liking someone for their policies. I even get not liking them just because of their personality (though I don’t think that should be what we’re voting on). And I get people wanting their president to be their religion. But what I don’t get is how the fact that Mitt Romney is Mormon could actually be a deal breaker (unless it was because Mormons in general were too conservative and you were a liberal). But what I really want to say to the world is that it’s time to get over the Mormon thing, not just in politics but everywhere. If people knew our hearts there would be no issue. 

Mormons are good, God-fearing, hard-working people on the whole. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who atoned for our sins, died on the cross, and rose again on the 3^rd day. Why does anything else matter? Why do so many focus on the DIFFERENCES in our religions? It’s time for the rude insults toward Mormons to stop, especially when done by the media or in the political arena. And it’s time for the rest of America to see that Mormons are your friends and neighbors, and that you should know them for them and who they say they are and what they say they believe, not what you are taught by your pastor or by some inaccurate news show or some book or internet post written by some disgruntled ex-member who feels like they are out for revenge.

Talk about Mormons is everywhere right now. I’ve almost posted different articles and stuff so many times. And yet not once have I done it.

I guess when it comes down to it all, I have so many things that I would like to say, and instead of constantly saying things (so that I can get it all out there), how do you pick and choose? The subject matter is too big. So I become paralyzed and say nothing. And I figure perhaps that is better anyway. Whose mind would I really be changing? Let’s just keep things light and happy on Facebook and in our casual relationships and keep people updated on the funny things that we and our kids are up to. If only it weren’t for that darn guilt sitting on my shoulder saying “you really have a duty to speak up.” So I continue to brush off that guilt. And then I am happy with myself for being silent when I read what others say.

I know we are all tired of it all. But I was just wondering if everyone else felt all the internal drama going on that I feel?

I wrote this last night. Today I am realizing that more of the comments I am seeing are requests to keep politics off Facebook. I’m for that! All it seems to do is turn people off. So I have concluded that holding my tongue, as I have been doing thus far, is really the best way to go. Nothing good is going to come out of saying anything. I’ll save my views for real discussions as they arise.

Anyone want to talk about money now?