This is not political!

Before you delete this or just pass it by out of fear I am talking about politics, just remember my rule for what counts as politics: If it is written or spoken with intent to raise public approval of ones self or another, or a cause above that which is morally responsible then it is political. I give two examples:

1. Marriage — it comes from a religious background and has always solely been practiced that way. It wasn't until people took it and made it part of government that it became politicized. Now when we talk of marriage we walk on eggshells and tip toe around it out of a misguided fear of someone not wanting to participate according to the rules given by the One who brought it to us in the first place. I say phewy. Marriage came from God (religion) and is subject to the rules of that person or institution. Therefore, another arrangement made out side of religious reasons is not marriage. I don't care if you are male and female or male and male it's the same rule. (Probably upset some one there, gosh darn political correctness, always getting in the way of what is true)

2. Abortion — This one clearly lies with when life begins, not with women's right to choose. Why do I say this? I look at the moral rule. We all agree that killing another living breathing human being is murder and is despicable, worst crime ever. So if life is at conception or is at first heartbeat then the answer is clear. Another argument made is potential of life. If that is the moral rule then any form of birth control is morally wrong and is up there with other sexual sins. At conception suggests that the moment the deed is done you should have hope of new life. Heartbeat means life, definite life, it may not be self sustained but who's life is? I think from these examples and many more I didn't list it's safe to say anytime after conception is morally wrong. (Oops I did it again, ticked off more people)

I am giving these to illustrate a trend I see in the world. EVERYTHING is politicized. Any current or breaking news story is tied to politics if it involves a political figure. Healthcare has become a political nightmare. Any social program i.e. food stamps, cash assistance, retirement what ever it may be, have all been tied to politics. One person or party trying desperately to gain favor over the other. Sometimes out and out lying or telling half truths. Bringing us to the point where it's all political regardless of what is said. It stopped being about truth and character, morals are in important. It's all who can turn crisis into opportunity or curry favor with the masses. It's become repulsive. Turning people off to what is happening in the world around them. The political connotations be thrown in our faces on every news channel and article. It wasn't always like this, was it? There must have been a time when both negative and positive news went toward evidence of character, not used for the persuasion of one person over another.

I want to get to that kind of world, one where people can look at the 'fruit' of others and can see the true character of someone, not the dressed up version that we are fed every day. I hate how people are turned away because everything is perceived as political. Everything is not political. Everything is 'fruit'. Our job is to sort the fruit and put it where it belongs. If its bad, it doesn't match the moral compass we got from God, it should be discarded (attributed to the character of the person or organization).

Before any one can disagree with where morals come from, they come out of religious texts. Specifically the Jewish and Arab writings are among the oldest. Others all point to someone greater than man. But, I suppose man is that he may justify himself to himself in all the days of his life. So believe what you will. I choose the moral code given by God over moral relativism (the idea that man is justified in his actions simply because of ignorance or differing beliefs). I like to think I choose the bare morals in their simplest form (not perfectly and not every time). I am human, and am selfish, a lot. I am usually thinking of myself most of the time. I am also very typical, translation, I am not alone. Most people when it comes to morals can justify why it doesn't apply to their situation (Moral relativism).

So now to what may seem political to some but to others like myself it's not.

Our nations founding fathers were God fearing people who were rooted with deep faith in God. George Washington set the pace and the standard for the office of president. He is the reason presidents only serve 2 terms. It wasn't law when he was in office and against public insistence, after two terms he stepped down. For a time no one dared try to run for more than that. Soon, as the memory of George Washington was fading, congress wrote a bill that was signed mandating term limits for that office. This was done some say for political reasons, but I think it was a statement that no one is better than Washington, he is the standard we should be looking to for leadership. Someone with impeccable character. Washington was a reluctant servant, but he had a hard set of core beliefs, morals, he couldn't sit down and do nothing when his nation needed him.

If you have made it this far in reading, congratulations! I know it wasn't easy, for those who didn't, oh well, they will never know what they missed. I just wanted to write this stuff so others would understand my method of thinking and hopefully be encouraged to stand by the morals we have been given, look to the character of others and take note that its not all about politics. It's about sorting through the fruit and throwing out the bad.

– Nate