Election Time

I have always loved autumn and this time of year, because it brings me home a bit and gives me the opportunity for reflection. Autumn has traditionally been election time, too. This year I have taken the time to contemplate the issues, candidates, and future of my world and THE world. I have an opinion on everything, although it sometimes feels like my opinion isn't very valuable as far as the big picture goes. After the vote on the big bank bailout, I reassessed my feelings and commitment to the values I have developed and espouse.

I believe in freedom. I believe that our founding fathers desired to create a country where men were free to make the choices that would guide their lives. I did some reading of political party platforms, studied the actual constitution and ammendments to it, and pondered and meditated on the issues and candidates. I have also been doing some reading of history, the non-traditional type that brings forth the familiar stories with information, writings, and perspectives that I had not heard of in my traditional American education.

My vote is in. Those children of mine who are voters have their votes in as well. I am happy to live in a country that gives us that chance to cast our ballots for the leaders of our choice, even if the choices aren't the greatest. I am grateful for our ability to gain information and knowledge, and for the power we have to educate ourselves, ponder the matters that have meaning for us, and then follow our consciences and vote accordingly.

Is our system perfect? Certainly not. Do we really know who runs the government? I do not believe so. Are the citizens of this country capable of creating better leadership than we have right now, or may have this next 4 years? Definitely. Are we able to discover and uncover the truth better than we do with the polluted media on all sides of the issues and candidates? Resoundingly, yes. My hope and prayer is that all who are able to make a difference through personal study and education within the family and society do so. Future generations will be blessed because of it.