CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
The South Carolina primaries and "Super Tuesday" have run their course and I still can't decipher what exactly "socially progressive liberal conservatism" means. Yes friends, the political season is in full swing, and because I want my vote to represent me and my beliefs, I'm in a quandary ... and I'm probably not alone.
If you're like me, you "major" in your everyday life ... NOT the historical voting pattern of the presidential candidates. You could award most of us a college degree in our knowledge of issues concerning work, family, little league, scouts, hobbies or anything we do on a regular basis ... NOT how each candidate stands on the war, the economy, healthcare, controlling our borders, gas prices, PLUS their plans to fix them! So here's the aforementioned quandary. For whom do I vote, and more importantly ... why?
This election season, I've made a personal commitment to better myself in the political arena and become more educated on where both political parties and, more importantly, where each candidate stands on the issues. This pursuit of demystifying political agendas and focusing on these issues in the effort to make a truly informed vote has not been that easy for me. Alas, "sports talk" radio has been substituted with a mix of "The Sean Hannity Show" and "Keeping it Real" hosted by Al Sharpton. Instead of drowning myself in ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic and ESPN DePortes, I tune into programs like the "The O'Reilly Factor," "Meet the Press" and "CNNs Election Center." I've even made myself read the political columns before the sports page on Sundays!
I committed to this beginning with the Iowa caucuses, and besides the fact this "politics" stuff is better, and actually more addictive, than reality television, I truly feel like I know each candidate much better. It's hard sometimes to see past the typical political rhetoric and "isms" but as each day passes, I truly feel I'm more informed. The result will be one vote, my vote, for a presidential candidate in November that stands for something based on my personal values and my knowledge of the issues.
As members, or family members, of the armed forces I feel we have an extraordinary responsibility to not only vote, but to be informed voters. This political season is in full gear and with it comes the election of our next commander in chief. This year I urge you to do your best to at least "minor" in politics. Jump in head first and aggressively pursue your increased understanding of the issues and the candidates with all the promises to resolve them. Be it talk radio, television, discussions with co-workers, or researching on the Internet, become an informed voter and demystify the quandary. Prioritize your issues, form your own ideals, and draw your own conclusions. In November, you will have the personal satisfaction you made an informed vote and thus, you too will be able to confidently answer the question ... why?
I'm Major Steve Sanders ... and I approve this message!