Politics is a necessary function of life.
Messy, controversial, disputes arise, differences of opinions offer singed relationships.
Nonetheless, politics exists. It remains a better method of settling differences, conducting government business, finding peace, than hostilities.
Politics is everything from contests at the ballot box which we have undergone this week in our close-in communities and across both the State and across the Nation to neighborhood discussions at sites.
Any place, any way, and any method of discussion and difference can find politics as an art of the process, which in today’s world can include interaction within E-mail comments, at the lounge, at the barber shop, or, at the grocery store.
For too many involved in politics, differences can be unrelenting, that is to say truly bumping heads. Each is right and each of the other is obviously wrong and, of course, never shall the twain meet. The best answers are to find compromise, or, at least to work in that direction in a sense of mutual respect.
Politics is nothing new. Politics is as old an organized living, as old as society. It is the way to congregate selected individuals to work together on problems, to solve dilemmas, and to reduce the strength of those who have been deemed undesirable with an effort to point out the weakness of those who receive less value and are discredited.
Politics is best when based on respect, on an uplifting element of ideas, common values, encouragement, striving to tell the truth, a difficult task for a large preponderance of candidates, whether by accident or a sense of purposefulness, mainly because seeking an advantage cuts across humility, may invite defeat, and can block the sense of purpose to obtain victory. What percentage of candidates may be tempted?
Politics certainly puts the character of individuals to the test. Even though politics can breeze past many voters and observers, ordinarily those candidates who struggle with the truth are identified at the same rate as those who work hard to be truthful. Reputations are earned through each day’s activities and through the observations of those who traditionally pay attention more than many to details, nuances, and day-to-day interactions.
Politics is linked to voting, to dismissing candidates, and to voter turnout. Not all necessarily true. Voter turnout ordinarily is weak and disappointing. Our democracy would be stronger if voter turnout were better, not just because better candidates could be elected, but, because those involved would take greater interest. Taking greater interest elevates the discussion, brings better candidates into the process and makes our true democracy work better. Just barely working can lead to democratic interruptions.
Politics is a necessary function of life. Certainly we have an interest in doing better!