As a mother of three, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the upcoming election. Honestly, I feel a mix of fear and concern—not just for our current situation, but for the long-term implications for the generations to come. While it may be easy to detach our personal beliefs from our voting choices, we must recognize that our vote is a reflection of our character.
I strive to set a positive example for my children. I don’t want to have to say, “Do as I say, not as I do.” However, this election challenges that principle. Here are a few things I find impossible to reconcile:
- Teaching Kindness: How can I instruct my kids not to mock differences—be it in abilities, religion, or race—while supporting a candidate who does just that? I can’t.
- Promoting Compassion: If I encourage my children to show empathy and help others, how can I support someone who undermines those values? I can’t.
- Respect for Women: Can I advocate for my son to treat women with respect while voting for a man who belittles them? That’s a contradiction I can’t justify.
- Anti-Bullying: I teach my kids not to bully, yet how can I cast my vote for someone who openly engages in such behavior? I can’t.
- Integrity Matters: If I want my children to value honesty, how do I support a candidate who openly boasts about dishonest practices? I can’t.
- Problem-Solving: I urge my kids to bring solutions, not just problems. Yet, I cannot support someone who struggles to articulate a plan, especially on critical issues like immigration. I can’t.
As John Oliver aptly put it, “When we say we want a politician to be honest, let’s make it clear that we don’t mean a total monster.”
The impact of our words is profound; once spoken, they can’t be taken back. I often remind my children that words matter, and while some may forgive, they will never forget.
Many supporters of certain candidates are looking for something “different,” feeling disillusioned with traditional politicians. But as the saying goes, different doesn’t always mean better. Stephen Brown, who served in various capacities under past administrations, recently lamented, “It’s deeply troubling. He’s profoundly uninformed about the responsibilities of the presidency, and he shows no desire to learn.”
Imagine needing a life-saving procedure for your child. Would you trust a doctor without any formal training? If we wouldn’t do that for our children’s health, why would we consider it for our country?
As I think about what this election means for my kids, I am reminded of the importance of living without fear. A campaign built on fear—demonizing groups and painting a bleak picture—offers no real solutions. Did you know that the chances of being killed by a terrorist in the U.S. are one in 3.6 billion? And all Muslims are not terrorists. We must not let fear dictate our actions or beliefs.
This is about more than just politics; it reflects our values as individuals and as parents. We owe it to our children to show them a better path, one rooted in respect and understanding.
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In summary, our vote is not just a choice; it shapes the kind of future we want for our children. We must evaluate our decisions based on the values we wish to instill in them. Our kids deserve better, and they look to us to guide them.