Let’s Stop Playing Follow the Leader

The Democrats are still debating and the primaries have begun, so let’s talk politics!

My biggest problem these days is the vast number of people who are so willing (and eager) to vote for candidates who espouse policies in direct contrast to their own personal beliefs. I made some people angry with a previous post questioning the stupidity or ignorance of certain voters. (https://rdperryauthor.blogspot.com/2018/10/are-todays-voters-stupid-or-just.html) I’ll try and avoid that this time with a more practical approach. How about we all just stop following leaders who offer nothing beyond personality and charm and charisma. And let’s stop voting for leaders who have very clear and obvious policies and beliefs that contradict our own.

I’ll start with the elephant in the room (or White House). For those who absolutely detest our current President, I will freely admit that the man has flaws. There are plenty of videos to illustrate that he can be insensitive and offensive and misogynistic and so on, and so on … I would never encourage anyone to vote for him because he’s a swell guy. If I were to judge him based on his personality alone, I would certainly not be a fan, so anything I say beyond this point applies to him as well, but let’s get to the real issue here.

Again, I will try to avoid using the words stupid or ignorant. How about we just use some basic common sense? Whether you are a gun owner of not, if you believe in the 2^nd Amendment and the right of citizens to bear arms, then you should not vote for someone who proudly proclaims that he will come and take away your guns. (No matter how cool you think he is on his skateboard! Okay, I know, Beto’s gone, but Bloomberg and others are just as serious about this issue.) It really is that simple.

If you think that the average American is already paying more than his or her fair share in taxes (or if you believe that even rich people have a right to keep some of their money), then you would be foolish to vote for someone who openly promises to raise your taxes. Especially if they will then use that money to fund other causes you do not support. Keep reading for more examples.

If you believe that our immigration policies have created a crisis at the border allowing drugs and criminals to pour into our country with little or no resistance, then you should never vote for a candidate who believes in open borders. Believe it or not, there is an actual legal process for becoming an American citizen. And saying that you will uphold the actual laws involved doesn’t make you a racist. Again, pretty simple, right?

Allow me one last example (although I could go on for days). If you are against abortion, where do you go to hide your conscience while voting for someone who thinks it is perfectly okay to abort (murder) a baby even after birth? Recently I read an article that said over 75% of Americans believe there should be some restrictions on abortion, yet the Left seems intent on abolishing any limits or restrictions of any kind. (https://www.npr.org/2019/06/07/730183531/poll-majority-want-to-keep-abortion-legal-but-they-also-want-restrictions) And yet, people keep voting for politicians who insist on “abortion on demand” and they keep passing laws to make it easier and easier to get an abortion. And sending tons of taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest single provider of abortions.

The reality is that if you support a candidate, or vote for that candidate, or help elect that person, then you have endorsed the actions taken by that candidate. Deny it all you want, but you are accountable.

Apparently (based on the Democratic debates), the Left no longer even attempts to disguise their extreme beliefs. Instead they are relying on their supporters to ignore their positions and policies and vote for them anyway, I suppose for no other reason than they are more likeable than the other guy. And sadly, that might work. I hope not, but there are an awful lot of voters who have drunk the Liberal Koolaid. And if you’re not familiar with that particular expression, maybe you should look it up, preferably before you jump on the bandwagon of your favorite charismatic leader who promises you paradise.