Study the issues carefully. Then, on November 5, cast your ballot for the candidate of your choice, even if you have to hold your nose. Just sayin’
Sitting here in "God's Waiting Room," the phrase "conspiracy theory" reverberates around the room. Why? The most plausible explanation is that the current political debate is intense and rife with more falsehoods than a typical election, and the animosity and division in our country are nearing those of a Mike Tyson prize fight. Consequently, it is crucial to fact-check the statements and convictions of each candidate more than ever.
In November, it is important to vote for candidates based on their policies, not personal traits. Even if you don't like a candidate personally, it's important to vote for the one who aligns with your beliefs—vote based on the issues, not a candidate’s personality.
Depending on the outcome of the November election, one potential President will leave after four years, and the other may serve for up to eight years. However, the policies they implement will likely endure in some form indefinitely.
So, what is a conspiracy theory?
As defined by Brittanica, a conspiracy theory is an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as the result of the actions of a small, powerful group. Such explanations reject the accepted narrative surrounding those events; indeed, the official version may be seen as further proof of the conspiracy.
Simply put, a person forms their opinions based on a situation and then uses incorrect facts to support their position.
The political form of a conspiracy theory involves holding a belief and a position defending it with falsehoods and lies about those who oppose your way of thinking. In practice, it conceals the truth and promotes emotional support for the person speaking. Politicians have used this tactic for a long time, but it has never been as malicious as today.
We must understand what each candidate truly believes, stands for, and will put in place if elected. The results will affect all of us, whether you vote or not.
Today, both political parties are promoting numerous political conspiracy theories. Let's examine the supporting facts.
A right-leaning candidate calls their opponent "comrade," "communist," and "far left," while a left-leaning candidate accuses their opponent of being a "liar," "cheat," and “destroying democracy.”
To resolve this issue, we must examine some truthful, verified facts. The right-leaning candidate uses the words “comrade,” “communist,” “socialist,” or from the “far left” person? What do these terms mean?
Merriam Webster’s definition of Communism:
a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Soviet Union
b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production
c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away, and economic goods are distributed equitably.
The second source: Brittanica.
Leninism: Principles expounded by. Vladimir Ilich Lenin guide the transition of society from capitalism to communism. The tenets of Marxism which Lenin embraced, provided no concrete guidelines for the transition. Lenin believed that a small, disciplined, professional group of revolutionaries was needed to violently overthrow the capitalist system and that a “dictatorship of the proletariat” must guide society until the day when the state would wither away. Leninism in practice meant control of all aspects of life by the Communist Party and the creation of the first modern totalitarian state.
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Source number three: Bolen Report
BY SAUL ALINSKY
There are eight levels of control that must be obtained before you are able to create a socialist state. The first is the most important.
Ronald Reagan addressed communism in 1961. “Three and a half months before his last visit to this country, Nikita Khrushchev said, ‘We can't expect the American people to jump from capitalism to communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of socialism until one day they will awaken to find they have communism."
The previously elected Conservative President advocated for lower taxes, smaller government, reduced interference in people's lives, a strong military, and the presence of God in schools and churches, commonly referred to as Capitalism.
Are the terms used by the right-leaning candidate correct? Do you see any similarities between the situations mentioned above and the current state of our country? Are the comments being made a conspiracy theory or reality? It's up to you to decide."
As Paul Harvey used to say: “Now for the rest of the story.”
As frequently heard in today's political speeches, "Let me make it perfectly clear," let's see if that's a real possibility.
The current serving Liberal Vice President, now a candidate for the Presidency, consistently uses the descriptive words "liar," "cheat," “dishonest,” “only for the rich,” and "one who will destroy democracy" in their labeling process.
Evaluating this candidate's true beliefs has been difficult, as turmoil in the presidency and political rhetoric pushed by former presidents and many in the mass media have obfuscated the issues.
However, it is obvious that their primary issue is abortion. Roe v Wade will return to law if they are elected.
In political advertising, the left-leaning candidate promotes more government control of price gouging and private business practices as the solution to a vibrant economy. The object is to keep inflation under control.
The government should assist more people.
The United States must become more interested and involved in World Order.
The federal government must continue to grow to meet the country's needs.
If the left-leaning candidate is elected, these are some of the ideas, issues, and policies that will be implemented. They have promised to move us away from Capitalism toward a Socialistic society.
An important final question to consider is whether the candidates have addressed the issues that are important to you—not platitudes but details of the candidate’s perspective on solving a problem. Your list might include the economy, prices at the grocery store and the gas pump, security at our southern border, the strength of our military, abortion, and strategies for reducing the deficit that is driving the country toward economic destruction.
Elections must be fair, with both candidates being protected. However, the voting process has become a very contentious issue between our two major political parties. They hold strongly opposing views on who should be able to vote. The right-leaning party believes voters should present an ID proving they are US citizens, while the left-leaning party believes anyone who shows up at the polls should be allowed to vote without an official ID.
That debate echoes through the halls of Congress.
Politics has always been a rough and tumble affair, much like professional wrestling. It's mostly a spectacle, but when one or both contenders become extremely angry with each other, vicious blows are exchanged behind the scenes.
In the opinion of this old man, this election is the most hate-filled, vicious, obfuscated, and animated we have seen in modern times. It is also the most important. Our country will change dramatically in the direction of the winning candidate.
Our Constitution promises fair debate, but the rhetoric we hear today is fueled by massive hate, not honest, and different points of view on the issues. It is pure hatred, fueled by millions of dollars, much from special interests."
One side of the debate believes we must first stay united as one America, with being Republican or Democrat coming second. The other side thinks we would be better off under one party's control and beliefs.
One party is heavily financed, while the other is not.
The well-financed party's beliefs are subtly conveyed through the entertainment and news we consume and our school curriculums from kindergarten to college.
Our other party's beliefs are often loudly proclaimed in churches, synagogues, massive political rallies, and the minor conservative mass media.
In the end, it is up to you to decide the kind of country in which our children and grandchildren can thrive, start families, and enjoy all the freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution.
Study the issues carefully. Then, on November 5, cast your ballot for the candidate of your choice, even if you have to hold your nose.
Just sayin’
Read next: Elections Do Have Consequences
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James R. Lightfoot, Lightfoot Strategies served in Congress six terms, starting in 1985 and retiring in 1997. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal and General Government (TPS) of Appropriations, he had jurisdiction over 40% of Federal Law Enforcement (Customs, Secret Service, ATF, FLETC, and IRS enforcement).
