Repost from 2016: Election Sanity

Repost from 2016: Election Sanity (I just wanted to keep it somewhere)

Can I offer some words toward sanity for all of the political craziness we're facing in the U.S.?
(I rarely post anything political, and this will require you to engage your thinking capacities. For those who know me personally, I'll ask you to suspend your rhetoric long enough to remember I am man who believes God is always at work and I am not one given to rants and hyperbole.)

For the last 18 years I've been blessed and privileged to work for National Write Your Congressman (www.nwyc.com) which is a way regular Americans, in all lines of work and across the political spectrum, quickly make their voices heard to those who truly make the decisions, the Representatives and Senators in Congress. I watch people daily, from all walks of life, be part of the solution, by influencing legislation and stopping bad decisions. Now, many of the decisions in Congress are not glamorous nor are they much reported in the news. The U. S. Media would much rather cover outrageous statements and foolish behavior from politicians and pop stars alike.

But here are some facts the media doesn't tell you about nor remind you of, that might help you breathe a little easier as you're looking at the presidential craziness confronting us:

Presidents don't make laws unilaterally.
Presidents can't even confirm their cabinet members nor Supreme Court justices.
Presidents can't ratify treaties.
Presidents can't approve budgets.

Of course, some of my over-cable-news-and-talk-radioed friends from all sides of the aisle(s) may quickly say "but, but, but" to every one of these points. Let me confidently say (again) I've been in this arena for over 18 years and I have a fair understanding of many of these details.

So, here's a key point: if there's ever been a case study for the power of the presidency being severely limited by the decisions and movements of Congress, it is the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. President Obama has proposed a litany of ideas and plans that have NOT come to fruition. He's written executive orders that have never seen the light of day toward implementation. He spent money on paper (and in his mind and speeches) that never got approved by Congress. And agency after agency that he has expected (and demanded) to do his bidding have seen their budgets cut by Congress, particularly over the last three years.

"So what are you saying, Joal? Does it not matter who the president is? Are you saying we shouldn't vote?"

(Take a breath, friends)

No, it very much matters who the president is and please let your informed conscience guide you in voting. My concern are the "all-or-none" declarations I've heard about not voting at all this year.

See, we lose sight of the fact that when we completely give up on voting, in the presidential contest, because the choices are simply farcical, we may also impact other elections that do, in fact, have a greater impact on our day-to-day lives. My congressman matters! My senators matter! My mayor matters! If people choose to abstain from voting for the next president or choose to do a write in, I can't fault them. Some would say it's a wasted vote; others would say it's symbolic. I would say it's your right to do whatever you want to do as an American voter. BUT--don't miss the fact that we must remain engaged in the process by voting for all the other necessary offices. Folks, presidents aren't the whole deal. No bill, no law, no decision in Washington originates or solely resides with the president. They may, at times, think they're gods, but they're simply men and possibly woman who are part of the process.

As a matter of fact, here's a little encouragement (proof-positive) on two points in this direction: President Obama just had his first veto overridden by the entire Congress about a week and a half ago. Both chambers had to override the veto, which they did, but the margin of victory in the Senate was telling: 97–1. Every Republican and every Democrat, save one, told the president directly and publicly he was completely wrong. The president also has a Supreme Court nominee awaiting confirmation and the Senate has simply said "no we will not confirm this person at this time". Understand, when there is a tie in the Supreme Court, it reverts to the previous court's decision. In some of these recent instances, the previous court's decision was against the Obama administration, thereby affectively stopping the current administration's agenda.

Wrapping up these thoughts.... from all these examples and explanations, I hope you see that, though the president is important, the president is not the end of it all nor even the beginning of it all. The president is a part of the process. There's a lot more involved.

And, friends...It is going to be alright.
Once more: it's going to be alright....as long as "we the people" actively engage with the true decision-makers and leaders in our form of government, at all levels. Voting is just one step, an initial step, in doing something. But it's an absolutely necessary step all through.

And obviously, if you want to know more about how to have a greater impact, feel free to reach out to me.

Peace to all of us.