Ignorance is Starvation

I just left a coffee house and was chatting with a friend and his wife when he made a comment that froze the conversation in an awkward silence. He made no effort to correct or clarify himself which added to the strangeness of the moment. He said that if he didn't know about something then it didn't exist. It was said so matter-of-fact that at first I thought he was joking. He's a smart guy and we were having a rather interesting discussion about national politics when this occurred. But he just sat there looking at me after the statement was made with such honesty that I had nothing to say in return. He was serious.

After giving it some thought though I suppose his view isn't that uncommon but perhaps not so deliberate. People are always creating their own reality. That is what we do we take the world around us and form it to fit our impression of how we feel it should be. Nothing to harmful in that - at first. But people tend to do this with no plan or direction. I found this blog in which the author makes a very compelling arguement about the lack of engagement the average person has about the most obvious factors in thier lives. In this case the Presidetial race.

I have heard some pretty lame reasons for electing the president. Everything from "it's time for change..." to "...I felt she was friendly..". Honestly, I don't think Churchill was chosen for his position because he had nice teeth or looked good on the side of a campaign bus. Likewise I don't think we need to base our votes on how we like a person. We need base our support on the integrity and character of the person. Integrity can be defined as "Doing the right thing because it is the right thing." (Not what the polls say you should do) and character can be defined as "Being who you say you are. All the time."

With that being said; if we as a people chose to ignore the deeper issues and follow the presidential campaign like we do the weather then we will elect someone who is not qualified for the position. We will get what we sow. Satisfaction leads to apathy. Apathy leads to ignorance. Ignorance leads to bondage. Bondage leads to death. Ignorance is starvation of the brain.

I encourage you to engage politically in this country's freedom. nations rise and fall; let's do all we can to keep this one strong. Don't elect a president because of their gender, race or religion. Dig deeper. Do elect them because they will defend your personal agenda or lifestyle. Elect a president that will fight for freedom - at any cost! Be it an tough time for the economy, troops, or religon. They all must sacrificed for freedom.

"Give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry.