A Political Stake

Considering the upcoming US presidential elections, everyone has a political opinion about today's national issues and which presidential candidate would be best suited to resolve them. We are no exception: our home is a two-party system, representing the Republican party and the independents, so our political opinions come from those perspectives. Whoever said marriage was supposed to be an "equally-yoked" union didn't consider that politics can be an integral part of a marriage: a Republican can marry a Democrat and they will thrive.

I am more politically active than my wife, participating in various debates, political forums on various issues, and volunteering in local politics. I am interested in how government works, and how the experiment of democracy manifests itself. I am also interested in social justice issues and the exercise of morality in society (as informed by my Christian faith). In fact, I think that morality and social justice precede politics, which is why I would more likely vote on the issues than the hardline party positions.

In another life, I'd do well as a political analyst or fact checker. I listen to both liberal and conservative opinion but make up my mind based on research, facts, and general reality. Wherever the apparent truth leads is where I establish my position, no matter which political party originated it. My politics are not too tightly coupled to my religion per se, leaving me room to consider positions that perhaps many fellow Christians would frown own. In fact, the only hate mail I've ever received came from well-meaning conservative Christians against certain political opinions I espoused. I've surprisingly lost friends over politics. I find that some people are so deep into their party or politics that they fail to recognize when change is needed or know when they might be wrong about certain issues. I call that "political slavery", when you do not feel free to even hear out dissenting opinion or understand those that may not agree with you, to the extent that you harbor hate towards them and propagate lies about them. I'd rather the truth be known, undefiled, and let there be a variety of political opinion and debate about it.

So as I embark on a fresh review of current political issues and consider the presidential candidates' positions, I am burdened to find truth in the rhetoric, consider implications of positions or policy proposals, and figure out how I will be impacted or benefit from them. It is prime to be informed before you voice an opinion. In short order, I'll also discover how politics works inside a family: is it necessary that you agree on everything politically, or is it alright (and even desired) that there be differing perspectives in that regard? As long as you are not politically enslaved, healthy debate or current affairs and freedom of political expression (without imposing on your spouse) should be a good thing.