In many ways, I love watching the electoral process. Every four years, we Americans are treated to a diverse and often opposing set of beliefs. And this year is no exception. If there was a contrast of opinions, last night should provide plenty of food for fodder.
With such contrasting complexity, Ms. Ann Romney rallied the Republican National Convention (RNC) audience with the power of love while Governor Chris Christie declared “…we’re (i.e., either America or the RNC) going to choose respect over love.” further adding, “Our (i.e., presuming RNC) ideas are right for America, and their (Democratic) ideas have failed America.”
In essence, the theme that most stands at the RNC forefront in this election, as well as that of 2008, is one of “take back America.” Take Back America? From whom? Last time I checked, there were no ‘radicals’ in the White House, Legislature or Judicial branches of government. Most who work for the government came from working class neighborhoods, Independents, Democrats, Republicans and Tea Party alike. Most are distinguished educators, attorneys, skilled workers and the like.
In continuing a theme of ‘Right Speech,’ I can only rebut with the old saying “As you think so shall you be!”
In continuing my theme of ‘right speech,’ when one speaks, you our relationships are all in how you think about the other people of your life. The words you give, the breath you take is not only a reflection of the receiver, but it’s also a reflection of you. Your experience of all those people is in your mind. Your feelings of lovers, relationships and people met come from your thoughts. You cannot own people, you cannot be them, you can live in love or you can live in hate.
Need an example? Former Governor Mike Huckabee just quoted to the RNC audience:
“No small differences among us in our party approximate the vast differences between the liberty-limiting, radical left-wing, anti-business, reckless-spending, tax-hiking party of Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi …”
So far, of what I have seen of the current RNC convention, I think of professor Russell Roberts at George Mason University who recently quoted:
“I think fear is a tremendous factor. It’s one of the most depressing things to me actually, about American politics these days. It’s not so much the partisanship, which has always been a part of our lives. It’s the unwillingness to imagine that someone on the other side of the ideological fence might have an interesting idea, and I think that’s a very dangerous situation for a democracy.”
Remember to honor yourself and live always in ‘right speech.’