Monday, Nov. 02, 2009

Political bitterness pervasive

The past decades have seen a great increase in the number of letters-to-the editor sent to the print-media throughout our country. American citizens and citizens of other countries have developed very strong opinions on both sides of issue that is prominent at any point of time in the history of the United States. Issues such as school busing in order to integrate the nation's public schools, of course Democrat vs. Republican at all levels of our government, wars or no wars, federal income tax levies, school prayer, religious articles on government facilities, and global. The list goes on ad infinitum.

It seems at this period of time, the emotions of our citizens are more strident than I have witnessed in my voting life (I first voted for Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 and every Republican presidential candidate since). Letters-to-the-editor, talk radio, television political opinion shows, Sunday morning interviews of political figures, political cartoons etc. also show sharper than usual political disagreements. Of course the nation now has a network of political jokes sent out 24/7 on the Internet. Is it possible that the citizens of this great nation will be subject to a new communication outlet that will subject us to a level of political party ridicule that is worse than what we now experience?

It seems that our national leaders have lost the will to maintain the trust of their constituents. Our nation's citizens have become cynical about the integrity of its leaders. Groups of citizens have become adversarial.

This breakdown in our nation's moral fiber does not establish a basis for our future survival. Effective political leaders should respect the needs of its citizenry. Strong leaders earn respect by conducting their public lives in a high moral level. How can we wipe out the bitterness that is found in our nation today? An answer exists in the Bible. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14