Election Year- Wendy’s Words

I am starting this post by ‘outing myself’: I am conservative. I voted for Trump in 2016—something I didn’t even decide on until a few days before Election Day. I didn’t feel good about Trump or Clinton, and I had intended to leave the Presidential spot blank on the ballot. That changed the week before voting when I came across an article sharing that the next President would pick the judge to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court. I didn’t want Hilary Clinton picking anyone, so instead of leaving the Presidential spot blank, I checked Trump’s name. Now that I have seen what Trump has done, I will vote for him again this November. The few times I have shared this I was taken to task by liberal supporters. Because of those instances, it felt like the best thing for me to do was hide my views.

The following passage is from Luke 12:51-53 New International Version (NIV): “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” When I read those verses, a part of me thinks, “I’m sorry Jesus, but it looks like politics has divided families for You.”

I have even dealt with this division in my own family-two of my cousins don’t talk to each other anymore due to their political differences. Now we are in an election year and we live in what is considered a swing state. It could be a long year for Wisconsinites! Since the political memes are showing up more and more in my Facebook news feed, it has led me to wonder something… We are entitled to our views, but if politics are a sore subject among your circle, why bring it up? Will anyone benefit from it if you know others do not share the same views as you? Of course, government is important, but we need to remember it is just one aspect of our daily lives. Is it worth risking family bonds, friendships, and other valued relationships because of who you choose on a ballot? They are choices that only you will see when you go to vote, for those that tally the votes will not know it was you that checked what boxes.

By all means, go out and vote. After all, “If you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain”. There are countries in the world that aren’t fortunate enough to have a voting process for their citizens. Remember we all have a right to choose who we feel is best for the job. Just don’t let those rights cause you to lose the people that are most important in your life.