Blind Spot or Head in the Sand?

Today I had breakfast with a friend who is the polar opposite of me when it comes to politics and opinions on the state of affairs in our nation. But she’s my friend. And that trumps it all. (pun intended)

Friends

Last week, I dropped my sister off at the airport so she could catch a flight to Washington, D.C. to participate in the pro-Trump rallies. She is very passionate about her love for America and her love for President Trump. She currently lives in California, so she is well versed in the effects that poor government can have on its population.

As One

My sister and I have much more in common in our political views than I do with my friend at breakfast this morning. As my friend and I sat and talked over coffee, we discussed politics, just like everyone else in America is doing right now. Although her views are completely different from mine (and my sister’s), as friends, we were able to come together, share a meal, and refuse to allow our differences of opinion to cause angst between us.

Patriots Surround the Mall

Unfortunately, America is so currently divided that even many friends and families are unable to get along because of their political views.

Yet, if you boil down the desires of the majority of Americans, they are similar—dreams fulfilled, family, safety, prosperity.

They want jobs where they feel valued. They want their families to be protected and secure. And they want to enjoy life as much as possible. 

Unfortunately, we have allowed the mainstream media to corrupt our thoughts and drive a wedge between us. My friend and I are of similar ages, have similar educational backgrounds, have different work histories, and both have one son (very similar family dynamics), yet on the issue of politics, we are opposites.

Trying to make sense of things, I asked her why she believes as she does. The examples she gave me were negative attacks on President Trump. With a little research, I could see these statements were obviously taken out of context. The places she got her information were obviously bent on manipulating the American people.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am not saying my party doesn’t do the same thing. What I am saying is that it is wrong and is an intentional attempt to divide our nation for the benefit of the elite. I desperately want us to see that. Neighbor-to-neighbor, let’s avoid falling for the propaganda used to divide us and determine to lock arms and keep America the land of the free and the brave.

We as Americans need to focus on our similarities, not our differences. Just think about your own family and friends.  We are able to get along because deep down we have more similarities than differences. Although often, we work to avoid the “conversation” in order to keep the peace. If only we would engage in conversation with an open mind and actually listen to the other person and try to see things from their point of view.

Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty (John Philpot Curran)

How many of you are stepping back and asking who they—the elites—are?

They are the ones enriching themselves on our tax dollars. They are the ones benefitting from insider knowledge to increase their wealth. They are the ones elected by the people who then turn their backs on the people.

The government of my youth does not exist anymore. It used to be that people or politicians would vote on a bill based on how it impacted their constituents. Now, it appears that both parties tell the politicians how to vote, and our representatives are no longer beholden to us, but to lobbyists, big firms, and (even worse) their political party. 

God Bless America

I am offended at their attacks on my intelligence. How can any American with a shred of decency and common sense think it is okay to vote on a 5,000-plus-page bill that had only been published three hours prior? The question is, Who wrote that bill? It’s painfully obvious there is a bit of manipulation at play. After all, the constitution was written on just four pages of paper.

Last year I wrote a blog about FlashBang Journalism, a term that describes the way politicians, lobbyists, and big firms control us through how they present information in the media (this includes all kinds of media, news, talk shows, soap operas, movies, etc.).

They have glamorized drinking, drug use, teenage sex, and so forth instead of promoting the family. As a result, we now have shows like 16 and Pregnant, as if that is something to be championed. The media is also a major tool to divide us—to tell us the other side is bad and wants to do us harm. In reality, most Americans really want the same things.

It’s time we Americans unite. We need to find a way to hold our representatives responsible.  The time for burying our heads in the sand has passed. If we don’t find a way to pull our heads out soon, we will all be buried.