It is that time again, when hopeful public officials vie for our vote to establish the future of government policy. Whether on a national stage or at a local level, fortunes will be spent in the pursuit of gaining an office. Yard signs are everywhere, new Facebook pages pop up almost daily, and the mud slinging is never far behind. Let’s get ready to rumble!!!!
Now, I know in a polite society we are supposed to avoid talking about things like politics and religion, but ignoring what is happening around us seems about as insane as, well, what is happening around us. Brother turns against brother, neighbor against neighbor, and the vitriol all over social media makes it unbearable to take our phones out of our pockets.
What happened to us? When did a political stance become more important than a person’s character or a relationship. It seems no longer important what is said, just which “side” says it. Nevermind if someone has a good idea, or much less the truth. If it came from across the aisle, they will fight it tooth and nail to disprove or discredit it. We don’t want the best solution to a problem; we just want that other guy to lose. No matter what.
Thomas S. Monson once said, “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” Sage advice. Can you imagine a world in which both sides put their pride aside and worked together to find the best solution? The great John Wooden noted, “It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.” But what did he know? He never had much success in his life.
As with most things in this life, it is much easier to point to the “other guy” and condemn their faults than it is to lay claim to our own onus in this mess. Just like in sports, the problem isn’t confined to the participants involved. Ask almost anyone who has been to little league games and they will tell you the real problem is the fans. How can we demand more of those in office when we go at each other’s throats over every political issue?
It is time to rise above the standard that has been accepted. Time to be better than the contention that society embraces, because we may not agree with what you say, but in our country, we defend to the death your right to say it!