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When we're in the thick of it, it can seem like politics can bring about the worst in us.
The name-calling. The truth-spinning. The arguing and stereotyping. No matter what side of the political aisle you stand, chances are that if you care about the direction of this country, you've probably been irritated or frustrated by the political speak and the negative campaigning we've seen in the 2012 election year.
Now that both national conventions are behind us, the home stretch for the presidential race has begun.
And it's only likely that the heat will be turned up a few notches before November.
But you know what's great about the election process? We're free to do it.
Our political speech isn't reviewed and approved by the government. We can show our anger with our leaders; we can protest; we can donate to a political party; we can choose. We're invited into the process, and it's our duty to make the most of it.
Of course our system has flaws, but at least we're free to talk about them and address them.
Some will argue that the national conventions were more like pep rallies than anything that promotes legitimate progress or change. There's some truth to that. But it's great that our people are so passionate about the direction of this nation. It's a good thing that people care enough to cheer or shout at their television sets. At the end of the election season, the hope is that reason, common sense and fairness will prevail for the betterment of the country.
Presidential debates are set up for Oct. 3, 16 and 22.
If you haven't yet decided who you will be voting for, that will be a good opportunity to see how both Mitt Romney and President Obama address questions. If you have already decided on your vote, well, you're probably going to be watching anyway.
Here's to an educated and well-informed electorate. And the passion is just fine, too.
Comments
How can the electorate be educated and well informed when a candidate who is on the ballot in all fifty states is not being included in the presidential debates? I am talking about Gary Johnson - Libertarian Party. As a two term governor of New Mexico, Johnson has more executive experience than Obama and Romney combined.
The truth is that the duopoly, and their willing accomplices in the Old Media, do not want the electorate to be educated or informed. The GOP has been spending millions to prevent Gov Johnson from appearing on the
ballot in several states, even though his supporters
jumped through all the hoops to gain ballot access. Why
don't you do a story on that topic to educate and
inform?
The direction of this country will never take a positive change so long as the dinosaurs in the duopoly parties maintain their desperate grip on power. Fortunately the New Media of the internet is giving people access to information that could only be distributed by the Old Media a generation ago.
Poorly written opinion. It exacerbates the political party barbs thrown like uninformed, negative slurs, and empty worded spins by a lesser politician. Throw gasoline on the smoldering fire, and smile.
The problem with a write-in candidate or Independent vote is -- it splits the not so good ole boy two party vote. If one doesn't like the current administration, then take consideration, or our nation will get another four years of what we know and live. Surely the well informed registered voter would not want to live in under these declining economic conditions.
If nothing else look around you. Start with your wallet.
Freedom isn't free. Thank you to those who served in the military, those who gave their lives too soon, to those who serve, and to the families who wait patiently for their safe return.
Patriotism isn't being dependent upon the government and glossing over bad behavior by adults who call themselves politicians or writers.
Freedom is cheap. The supression of freedom is expensive.