Paul Frommelt
It’s that time again. Election season has descended upon us in full fury. For some of you, the ballots have already been filled out and returned. For others, the decisions are yet to be made. Choose wisely. The right to vote should never be taken lightly. Decisions should be made after researching for yourself, and not using ‘facts’ from Facebook posts, or a myriad of signs polluting the roadways of our town.
I’ve learned a lot this from campaign season.
I’ve learned that it IS ok to raise your voice in crowds of mass protesters against first responders, while looting, rioting, and burning businesses.
I’ve learned that it is NOT ok to lift your voice singing praises to your God, in a house of worship.
It IS ok to force children to sequester at home rather than getting an education at school.
It is NOT ok to quarantine criminals behind bars, due to a chance they may catch a virus that everyone else must quarantine against at home.
It IS ok to force the closure of businesses, never to open again, in a feeble attempt to halt the spread of a virus, that can only end with herd immunity.
It is NOT ok to go out in public without a mask; which does nothing against a virus, but calms the minds of those living in fear as their placebo.
It IS ok to set up GoDaddy.com websites condemning and slandering those you oppose, with silly cartoons and caricatures in hostile ways.
It is NOT ok for someone opposing your position to post an animated cartoon with similar art.
On the same note,
It IS ok to falsely accuse various people of posting such items under false assumptions of guilt, with no proof whatsoever but,
It is NOT ok for anyone to question your actions, especially if they have not lived in the community over 40 years.
It IS ok for a church leader to state political beliefs while in a position of Godly regard, encouraging a role of ‘agitator’, over that of ‘peacemaker.’
It is NOT ok to quietly absorb the abuse, while other attackers berate you from all possible venues, demanding responses to false accusations.
It IS ok to threaten and intimidate your opponents publicly and on social media, trolling them on every site they interact on.
It is NOT ok; to limit or block access to your personal opinions; from those people who would attack you with profanity filled rants.
It IS ok to be a plaintiff in a proposed lawsuit involving millions of dollars, against the very community you wish to represent in public office.
It is NOT ok to ever question any possible dubious acts or contracts taken upon by administrations prior to yours.
It IS ok to argue, but it is NOT ok to agree to disagree. I guess this is the politics of today.
Yes, I’ve learned a lot this election season. I’m seeing the ugly side of humanity in ways I never wanted, or imagined I would. People are applauded for attacking others, while hiding behind false profiles and names. They attack with impunity, protected in a shroud of anonymity. Good people are being viciously attacked, humiliated, and destroyed; simply over disagreements that only a few years ago, would have produced constructive dialogue. I admit I am not completely above reproach. We all have our biases and core beliefs. And elections seem to bring out emotions and passions that we would otherwise keep to ourselves. But that is no excuse for profanity laced tirades and rants, that have absolutely no chance of swaying the minds of those still trying to make their decisions. These types of behaviors discourage many Good, Qualified people from dedicating themselves to public service, due to the very real fear of public abuse. It’s unfair to them, and it’s unfair to ourselves.
Choose wisely. There’s a lot at stake. Ask yourself the questions…
“Am I happy with the direction the town has taken, over the past decade or two?” “Am I content with the amount of control a select group of people seemed to wield over the community”?
or…
“Would I like to try a new direction with less influence over town decisions from those groups that have held sway over that period of time?”
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