"This above all: to thine own self be true"...William Shakespeare

"To be or not to be: that is the question..."  William Shakespeare

     I didn't watch the Republican convention this week and I doubt I will watch the Democratic convention either.  Give me authenticity. There in lies the question I have, "What is my politics?" Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense in in 1776. He also wrote the Rights of Man, stating, “Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”  I suppose that in my search for political self-discovery, Paine's words mean more to me at this stage in my life than ever.

     My politics are most closely associated with whatever seems fair and just and well, just plain "common!"  I want security.  I want to keep the majority of my hard-earned money but I also understand that I need to pay for the benefits and necessities that historically keep us healthy and safe. I want to see compassion and common sense be a precedent over anger and emotional reactions.  I want to see our leaders speak honestly and truthfully and be well-educated.  I want politics to support education and recognize the importance of the rights of all sexual orientation.  I don't believe I am asking for much.  

     I want stability not just here in the United States but world-wide.  What we turn our backs to will ultimately come right to the front of us.  This has been proven,sadly, in a time when we are supposedly more evolved, more educated and more tolerant.  The recent politics have shown us otherwise. The anger, the lack of focus, the irrational behavior is reticent of our lack of education and our lack of compassion. The more educated we become, the more capable we are of making decisions that reflect common sense and to "do good."

     When I was younger, I didn't pay much attention to politics.  My parents did though and they voted with their conscience.  I didn't agree with them many times but we could debate and we could argue and still feel confident that we were all right with each other.  Love above anything else mattered.  So I wonder...where did lose our ability to reason?  

     Politicians say anything and do anything to get elected.  We know this.  However, we should be able to discern whether their communication is honest and said with some education and experience.  Then there is the heart.  What they say to us matters.  It's what is said from their heart that we buy into and ultimately want to lead us.  But we must remember that elected officials work for US.  They lead us based on what we believe to be the appropriate direction.  This is where the danger is too.  Our beliefs can be dangerous if not made from a place of common sense and again, education.  We need to protect and look out for each other and we do that by voting with as much  reliable information as possible.  

     So the rest of the year should be quite compelling.  I am going to watch carefully.  I am going to do my homework.  Conventions won't sway my vote.  Ultimately, common sense and reliable information will.  When I make up my mind, I hope that I've voted with a sense of responsibility that reflects the best for all of us.  Education is our best ally in the wake of politics. A lack of education is what some politicians are banking on from the public.  Sadly. 

      My vote will matter this year.  It will matter to me as it should for any American who has watched the events of the past year.  We have been exposed to too much tragedy for this presidential election to be "just another election."  Who will win, depends on their true message, not rhetoric.  Leave the "show" for Broadway.