UNLOCKING THE GATE OF FEAR!

Recently we took a scenic route to view the great Mississippi River.  As we came to a clearing overlooking the river we found a huge black iron gate.

Foliage framed the gate but we still could have gone around had we wanted to be closer to the river
but we were unsure of our footing and did not go further.

A number of small locks bearing initials were on one side of the gate.  Whether placed
by individuals as part of a romantic tradition or simply to help strengthen the gate we were not sure.

I thought of that gate recently as I pondered the dilemma we are in with our political campaigns.

In some instances it is as if we are standing before a river bringing a surge of questions.  We need to make choices for political candidates we don't like. Nor do we understand why others support the other side.

So where do we go and what do we do?

The leadership of  political parties is confusing.  Conservative doctrine seems voiceless in the face of bombastic promises.

Liberal voices are silenced by failure to recognize the very real concerns people have no matter where they are in terms of income, education,or different cultures or life style.

Personal insults and cartoons aimed at all political candidates seem to have become particularly vicious. Fact finding has become a game of "gottcha."

Voters in many instances are focused on single issues as we and those who represent us, and those who would represent us are polarized in state capitals, Congress and in the White House.

Yet as individuals we have been able to overcome enormous disasters and life threatening changes not from fear but by working with others.  We worked to build a better future.

Sometimes that future wasn't fair to others but we resolved our differences through compromises we made together under laws that encouraged and provided opportunities for others to be heard.

If the iron gate, like the one near the Mississippi is holding back our enthusiasm for the 2016 political elections because of our fear for the future, we need to unlock it,

We need to cast our votes for candidates who will respect the need for fairness as we work together to meet future challenges as we have done so often in the past.

As difficult as it may be, we are called upon now to vote in November.

SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!

.