OOPS, I forgot, I’m not running!
Most of my readers know that I work for Nashville MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) where we do qualifying exams on military candidates. Often times there are many young men and women watching TV in the lobby while waiting to be examined.
Last week the set was showing a news program discussing the up- coming Republican presidential primary debate. Uninterested in politics, one of the military candidates clicked the TV to some idiotic cartoon show. “We’re not interested in that junk,” he announced. No one disagreed.
How, I wonder, how can these teens and young adults who are volunteering to work for our Commander in Chief, defend our country, and vote in the 2016 election not be interested in learning about the man or women who may become our next president?
I’ve been told, it’s not proper to discuss politics or religion with nice company, but I disagree totally. While it is my contention that politics and religion should be discussed in every home at least once a day, we will not be discussing religion in this post. Kids need to learn as much as possible about current events – including local, state, and national politics.
What does the school board do? Who is the city mayor? What does he do? What is the HOA (home owners association)? Why is it important? Or, is it? Who is your state Governor, Representative, Senator, etc.? How do the political parties differ? Why do you and your spouse support the candidates you do?
Of course you could let your kids’ social studies teachers explain all this, if your school even teaches what we used to call civics. If they do, will they explain the issues in a manner and with the emphasis you want your kids to see them?
In order for you to discuss politics intelligently you may need to brush up on them yourself. Do you read a newspaper including the editorial page? Watch the news? Discuss, in a civil conversation, both sides of issues with your friends, even those who have a different politically philosophy?
I suggest you put aside whatever you have planned and listen to the debate Thursday evening with your family. What? You say, you’re not a Republican. Great, watch them anyhow and learn what they think. How else can you explain to your offspring why you are not going to vote for any of them? Then when the Democrats have their debates, make sure you and your family watch them too, even if you are a dyed in the wool Republican.
Our great country cannot last long without the help of informed voters. Get informed and make sure your kids are informed. Don’t wait until the night before elections and then vote for the one who is best looking, or has a really neat sounding name. Our country’s different future, our children’s future, and the future of our grandchildren, are too important to let somebody else decide what lies ahead.
One last thing, the debate will be on Fox News, if you do not get Fox, call you friends and neighbors. If none of them gets Fox News, and you know me or my family, come over to my house. We’ll make room for you, regardless if you are Democrat, Republican, Independent or Socialist, and stay around for the discussion that follows. It will be a very interesting evening.