Friday, October 5, 2012

Finally Talking Politics!


 
I know......it's a shocker!  You can breathe now....it's not what you think:)  I know I’ve remained quiet up until now about politics but I was asked the other day how I felt about it. 
Well, here goes.......
 
I will not base my decision on who to vote for from what I hear on T.V. or any one individual.  I instead will research each candidate for myself.  How?  Well, if I hear something that I’m curious about from either campaign, I will fact check it!  I don’t endorse any one website to "fact check" but I do recommend reading AT LEAST ONE opposing view to any information you are researching.  I also recommend a website where you can read federal legislation.  OpenCongress.org tracks every bit of legislation, has the full text, tells you who is sponsoring it and allows you to track its progress in the legislative process.  OpenSecrets.org is also another great one.  It’s a nonpartisan, independent, and nonprofit organization.  According to the website, it aims to create a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more transparent and responsive government (it “follows the money”). 

Here is what I really think about politics:
You have to use discernment.  I don’t know if any one source is completely unbiased.  I choose to go with sources that are just reporting the information without judgment.  I feel we are all intelligent enough to take in the information only and then make our own decisions without someone else’s opinion of what we should do.

We all know that the media and our candidates can put their own “spin” on things which works out in their favor.  I have even read one candidate quote factcheck.org which was also misleading.  Fact check was correcting both candidates but one candidate used only the quote correcting his opponent.

You have to take the time to research and discover what’s true for yourself.  In government, nothing is ever black or white.  Lay aside the criticism, judgment, hatred, and division and just make an educated and informed decision.  Allow yourself to know the whole truth and then vote.   Most importantly, let God guide and direct you.  We all need to pray for our country.  It’s not our elected officials that will be responsible for the consequences (good or bad) of how we treat our home, it’s everyone.  We are all ONE and we will all be affected by the consequences.   Be responsible for yourself and make sure your contribution to this world is a good one.  Put your trust in God and know that He has empowered each and every one of us to be co-creators. 

Search your heart and go with what gives you peace.  Someone told me the other day that neither party gives them peace.  While that might be true for some people, you still need to research for yourself and then ask God what to do.  Try to remove any and all judgment and influences and go to your secret place just to hear from your Creator.  Yes, it’s THAT important!    

As for me, I will do my part and research.  I will allow God to speak to my heart.  I’m so very thankful that we all have that ability.  We all have freedom of choice therefore we can choose joy, peace, love, and a sound mind and no one can take that away from us (unless we let them).  It’s a gift from our Father that you can receive and I refuse to give it away to anyone.  Don’t give your gift away.  Keep your peace, joy, love, and freedom and turn the T.V. off so that there is no static on the line when God is speaking to your heart.
 
Helpful links:

This is an article I found to be helpful in finding "unbiased" sites that list more links:
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2008/09/political-fact-check-sites-proliferate-but-can-they-break-through-the-muck268.html

Overall, my rule is to check all sources and compare information.  It takes time but it's worth it!  This is our future.  Set aside a day to do this. 

At the end of the day, I'm comparing everything I read to the information only sites where I can read the actual bill itself (down to the actual line) of what's important to me.  However, even after I research all of this..............I'm going into prayer and will vote according to my discernment. 

Regardless of who is in office, we should ALWAYS pray for our Country and elected officials.  Yes, it's THAT important!


 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment