My Thoughts

I don't really follow politics a lot. I vote because I think it is an important right. If who I voted for didn't win, I'm not sent into a tailspin or spend the next two/four years plotting how to get them out and complaining about every move they make. I made my vote, and if I'm not actively finding a better solution to what I think they've done terribly wrong, then I should just stop my complaining.

I think that all politicians, whether Democrat, Republican or Libertarian, make good and bad decisions in their term. I think that Democrats complain about Republicans no matter what. I think Republicans complain about Democrats no matter what. I think many are worried about getting re-elected. I think blacks voted for Barack Obama and Mormons will vote for Mitt Romney.

I don't like this, but I know it's true. I know we don't live in a world full of peace and rainbows and rose-colored glasses. But I do think we could find ways to work around it. I mean, we are all adults, aren't we? I have a Politics in Planning class Monday nights. Our textbook is a case study of the landmark statewide zoning plan adopted in Oregon in the 1970s. It was a perfect storm of political players who focused on solving the problem rather than worrying about party lines. People sat down and worked out the issues based on the issues and not who belonged to what party. And because of this they were able to pass a statewide measure that was accepted by nearly all.

In my 9th grade History class we studied Washington's Farewell Address. I remember very clearly reading this in our textbook, talking about it in class, and having it as a question on an exam. Washington speaks of the pitfalls of political parties and how they can undermine true works of the government.

That's how I wish things operated now. Maybe that's silly. But I know that I can at least work on me and how I act and respond. Aristotle said, 'It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." We could probably all work on being a little more educated when it comes to politics.