You might expect from the title that I am going to launch into some tirade against the Democrats, the Republicans, gay marriage, abortion, or even Obama. I'm not going to do that, and for one simple reason:
I'm not an idiot.
There's enough of those on the internet to choke a horse, along with the brain of every thinking individual who was careless enough to get drawn in to that crap-slinging contest. Frankly, I wouldn't change a single mind. I would succeed only in making those who agree with me feel more validated and those who don't feel more angry.
Instead, let me make two very strong pleas that I hope might actually sink in somewhere. I imagine I'll still manage to anger some people, but let's be honest, they were already angry.
Plea #1: Please stop making fun of the President of the United States of America.
To clarify, I am talking only about the man and the office. His policies and decisions are free game and can (and should be) attacked with vigor and eloquence. Our founding fathers would expect no less of us. However, from the beginning, we still respected the office.
The man who sits in the oval office is a symbol of our country and what we stand for. That thought might make you feel a little sick, but stick with me. Like it or not, that's how it is, and when he looks ridiculous, our whole nation looks ridiculous to the world. And yes, that includes you. That being the case, why would we be the first ones in line to throw that stone?
We're breaking down our own house and cheapening the dignity of the office for everyone who comes after. It is a short-sighted political tool that backfires horribly when your boy gets into office and the public you got riled up about the last President is still in the tomato-throwing mood.
Seriously, stop. I agree with almost nothing Obama has done and some of it makes me downright angry. Still, if I were to meet him in person, I would shake his hand and call him Mr. President, because that's the leader of our nation. And when I see posts and memes criticizing something personal or having him dance around in a dress, I don't laugh or like, I roll my eyes and scroll on.
I invite you to do the same. Let's try to return some dignity to our political environment.
Plea #2: Consider the career and teach our youth the same.
Politician. What feelings does the word inspire in your mind? If you're anything like me, it's a mixture of derision and contempt. The political world as a whole is corrupt and slimy and no honest man or woman will touch it with a ten foot pole. That's how we all see it. So why are we so surprised when all we have to vote for come election time is Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?
I'm sorry, folks, but the old wisdom holds true: crap in, crap out. If the honest, fervent people of the world won't enter the political arena, then our country will continue to be run by those who get into it because they have an axe to grind, an agenda to pursue, or couldn't succeed at anything else!
Think of what we teach our kids to aspire to, maybe little Johnny will become a scientist, an engineer, or a doctor. All fine things, but there was a time when good kids wanted to grow up to be President!
Maybe we need to find our way back to that.
