Don't Stop Believing

To describe this year's political campaigns as disturbing would be an understatement. On one side,we have a narcissistic megalomaniac who says whatever comes into his head, no matter how demeaning, racist, or void of intellectual thought.On the other side is a woman who is a Beltway insider reportedly so ruthless, she has had people killed and negotiated illegal deals for personal gain.2016 can only be described as the year of the voting conundrum. Do you vote for the idiot or for the bitch?

Or is it really that simple, that black and white?

This election year -- and all of the rhetoric, both patriotic and hateful -- has led me to examine my own beliefs, my own values.  What do I believe in and who is the best person to reflect those beliefs?

My life, my experiences, and my knowledge have led me to these beliefs.  So, in a nutshell with little embellishment, here is my personal vision statement to guide my election choices.

I believe . . .

• All people are created equal and should be treated as such.  Men, women, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Christian, Muslim, gay, straight.  Underneath it all, we are one race -- the human race.
• There is no "one" religion.  Religion or no religion is a personal choice, and has no place in governance.
• Government is necessary for the maintenance of civilization. Yes, it has grown bloated and inefficient, but consider carefully what truly should be pared away.
• Good health and affordable healthcare is a right of all people, not a privilege of those who can afford it.
• Our planet is a living organism, and we are killing it. This must stop before we have no home world left to inhabit.
• Clean air, clean water, even clean food are our rights. According to our own Declaration of Independence, we have been given life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by our creator, whatever that may be. Without clean air, water, and food, we will have no life.
• We are meant to care for each other and for the animals of the world. Most religions hit pretty hard on this.  Even the Christian Bible talks about being "good stewards".
• Sensible safe gun regulation should be the law of the land.  The inconvenience of a background check won't kill you, but it might keep someone else from being killed.
• Education is the most important gift we can give our children. Learning moves us beyond the mundane to the extraordinary. Through education, we learn to think and create, and quite possibly change the world.
• Hate, bigotry, prejudice,and racism have no place in my heart, my mind, or my life.
• Love is love, and everyone has the right to love regardless of gender, race, or beliefs.

When you consider your own beliefs, who will you choose in 2016?