Can you see the signs of the times? I don’t know if I’m becoming more aware of how our government is affecting me through how the President’s decisions or lifestyle, or maybe I’m just getting older and that has made me more mature and more concerned about how governmental leadership can protect and/or violate my rights (or the rights of someone else). Maybe both thoughts are true. Nevertheless, I feel that the politics and political environment in America has become a topic of much disagreement between people for the last 10 years.

Regardless of your political party affiliation, I feel that everyone has to at least agree that the political climate of today has become violent and is polarizing our country in a negative way. Especially as our leaders have literally waged a war with many press and media outlets across the nation.

Every day I turn on the news, or log on to my social media account, I see stories that show the leaders of our country personally attacking one another, showing little desire to come to any kind of agreement on anything, having disrespectful discourse, literally cursing each other in public speeches, so many conflicting thoughts motivated by anger, lack of accountability, straight out lies and false propaganda… (and I could go on and on). I realize that politicians aren’t in the business of loving others, but I do believe many of our federal government officials did place their hand on the Bible when they took their oath of office (if I’m not mistaken). So, where is the respect for one another? Where is the dignity that comes with holding public office? Where is the honor that we have for those placed in authority?

The thought that presently comes to my mind is a lyric from an old church song, “Whose report will you believe? We shall believe the report of the Lord.”

I will never forget the year former President Barack Obama was elected into office. Some of the reasons why I will never forget should be obvious, here are a few reasons that may not be so obvious. That year I lost a few of my good friends (at the time) because they said really hurtful offensive words to me because of my support to Obama. Up until that time I never had a political disagreement where I was personally attacked because of my opinion. And, ever since Obama was elected in 2008 and now Trump being elected in 2016, I feel that political discourse in itself has become less civil and more defensive.

Personally, I can’t stand too much stress and I honestly don’t know where we go from here as a country. It’s like our leaders are fighting, but they aren’t facing any repercussions… most of them are well off, and they will be good after they leave their position. It’s people like me who face the real repercussions.

The real questions are: If I was President what would I do? What things am I willing to do in order to influence the changes I want to see in our country? What part does our church play in acknowledging rights and wrongs in political discussions?

Those are difficult questions that I honestly can’t answer with wisdom. I suppose all I can really do is pray about it and try my best to promote love and peaceful discourse. Micheal Jackson said it best when he sang the lyrics from the song “Man In the Mirror” – I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, And no message could have been any clearer, If you want to make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself, and then make a change –