Going Forth on the Fourth

by karen on 07/05/09 at 12:12 am

Going Forth

Today I rode my adult tricycle in a 4th of July Parade. Tomorrow I will do it again in another town. (Riding is easier than trying to march, and I don’t trust bicycles anymore.) I did not ride as a member of the Woman’s Club (although that’s a good reason to be in a parade too), but I participated as a member of a political party. All too often we look down at politicians, and think of corruption and graft. But we need to be involved with the political parties if we want them to be honest and above corruption. We all need to be very aware of public issues and to help elect good people. We should help make the changes we feel are necessary from within the system, not from standing outside and complaining.

I’ll never forget my high school civics teacher (Miss Shaw) who taught us that voting is a duty, not just a right. It is everyone’s duty to read and be a well informed voter. I’ve lived by that rule and haven’t missed voting in an election in almost 50 years. I even voted absentee the day I had heart surgery. (That’s a whole long story in itself.) After I retired I decided to join a party and not just wish I could do something. Now I’m the County Chairman. So I have to go to all the parades and work all the affairs and fund raisers. And I have to make those phone calls everyone hates. Sometimes I even knock on strange doors. I work in the office every two years when we have one, and I give away my money.

I love it! I love my GFWC work too, but my first love is my political contribution. I don’t know if I’m on the “right” side. But at least I’m on SOME side and I care enough to get off my duff and DO something! I don’t intend to run for office, but I want to help get good people elected.

I totally reject the notion that we should never talk politics in polite society! I think we have rejected healthy debate and discussion for far too long. We don’t have to get personal and insulting to have a knowledge of issues and have discussion. Most of the time people are all too happy to hear the details of the issues and to hear my opinion WHEN I AM WELL INFORMED. That’s my job. The internet makes research of issues easy.

Happy Independence Day! I hope you watched fireworks and a parade somewhere and rejoiced in love for this wonderful country!

Riding in Parade

5 Comments

rosemary

Jul 5th, 2009

9:08 pm

Oh yea, oh yea. thank you Karen. I love a well informed, active woman willing to voice and discuss her opinions. I have a few myself. Good trike-ing too.

Diane Addante

Jul 6th, 2009

10:51 am

Hi Karen!
You are so right. We are politically correct about the wrong things I fear. My problem in discussing politics is that most people don’t want to have an informed discussion, they believe what they believe and that’s it. No amount of information will move them. I’m a little bit one of those people, I’m sorry to admit. But being informed is critical and it IS easier than ever with all the research tools available. You have inspired me to know more and be willing to have those discussions, even in polite society.

Janice P.

Jul 6th, 2009

12:26 pm

You’re absolutely correct about people avoiding politics in “polite” conversation. Sad to say I have one son, and his wife, who are totally closed to open discussion of facts. I try to keep my mind as open as possible. (Some might disagree.) As Diane said though, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have some opinions which may be pretty ingrained. I’m still open to listening to others as long as they will listen to me.

Karen Meyer

Jul 6th, 2009

12:36 pm

Thanks, Karen for reminding us of our duties to not only stay aware of what is going on politically but to discuss the issues with others. As Diane said, most times people ask each other about various political issues but do not really want to discuss them especially if the person answering disagrees with their opinion. But having different opinions and providing everyone the opportunity to discuss them is one of the very best things about living in the USA.

Deb Strahanoski

Jul 8th, 2009

4:29 pm

So happy that you got featured I know how proud you are to a blogger! Great Article and thank you for standing up for how you feel. We all should do this more often!