The Call to Patriotism

There comes a time in every patriot's life when the decision is made to act. For some, it is an intense desire to serve and to be part of something greater than themselves. Many have felt that desire over the years, from Jefferson to Reagan. For others, it is a calling. Everything I've read about George Washington suggests that he had little interest in being the first President of the United States, but felt compelled to act because of his love of country and fellow countrymen.

Watching the circus that is the presidential primary race of 2016, I have been cautious to make up my mind about the candidate for whom I will vote. Each of the Republican candidates bring something different to the table. I had high hopes for a members of both parties that have since dropped out of the race, and of the Republicans remaining, there are two or three that I really like.

While I do not know with certainty the person for whom I will be voting, I know with every certainty the people for whom I will not be voting. It goes without saying that I will not be voting for Bernie Sanders. He seems to be a nice enough person, and I believe that he is sincere in what he says. He truly believes all of the drivel he has been spouting. This makes him a rather dangerous socialist. Looking throughout history, it's nearly impossible to find a Socialist government that, in reality, was best for its people. Sanders' utopian goals are noble in their idea - who wouldn't like to live in a world where everyone is equal and we can all just get along? - but in reality it's about government control and the loss of freedom for citizens.

Like Sanders, Hillary Clinton has qualities that encourage people to vote for her. The most obvious is the fact that she's the first female candidate that has had any real chance of winning the general election. It's unfortunate, but many people are willing to vote for her simply because she's a woman. In their minds, I suppose she represents all women throughout history and by voting for her they are undoing all of the damage done to women around the world for centuries. Never mind her unethical and illegal behaviors. Never mind her narcissism and dishonesty. She's a woman, and therefore deserves to be the Commander in Chief of the greatest nation on Earth. I can't wrap my head around this logic, but it persists, nonetheless.

According to everything I've read in the media, I am one of the few that will not be voting for Donald Trump in the primary election, either. I cannot, in good conscience, vote for a man that I believe stands for everything I detest. He believes in big government like Sanders and is every bit the narcissist that Clinton is, but because he is running with an R behind his name, conservatives everywhere are willing to overlook it. His views on everything from abortion to the Second Amendment have changed so much over the past couple of years. This combined with his contributions to the likes of Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid have me questioning everything Trump says.

Having said that, I am grateful that Trump has run for president, and grateful that he has run as a Republican. While he likes to take credit for the discussion about immigration and amnesty, I think it's much more appropriate to credit him with the new-found freedom Republicans have to speak openly and honestly, without regard for being politically correct. Trump has shown both politicians and the media that the average American doesn't want to hear more politically correct rhetoric that displays the fear our leaders have had of offending the left-wing. He calls it like he sees it, and has inspired Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio to do the same. For that, I am grateful. I am grateful that those running on conservative principles no longer feel obliged to pander to the media out of fear.

But that doesn't mean I want a President Trump.