I love politics.
Most people cringe when I mention my fascination with the subject.
In the past, I’d try to justify my admiration. I’d say, “I don’t love the arguing and competition; I love the process.” I always left those interactions with a sour taste in my mouth. I love politics. Why didn’t anybody else?
There are many reasons people could choose to dislike politics, but there is one glaring issue: People hate politics because they see it as a war, a game, a competition. Elections are horse races. Congress is battleship. Court cases are chess.
Combative politics makes most newspapers’ frontpages. We hear a lot about conservative and liberal, Democrat and Republican, Trump and Biden, back and forth, back and forth.
Politics is exhausting.
And it’s not just the news media that shoves this kind of narrative down our throats. We all know people, family and/or friends, who make any kind of conversation about politics unproductive. There is not much room for friendly debate or consideration of new ideas when people believe they hold/know/understand the whole truth.
Politics is frustrating.
In recent years, specific movements and media channels have gained traction. These platforms dedicate their time, energy and resources to one-sided reporting. They poke fun or show blatant disdain for other perspectives.
Like I said, it’s exhausting. What is there to love about such a messed-up system?
I’d argue that there is not much to love about our nation’s system for handling politics. It’s our understanding and attitude toward politics that must change. It’s our understanding and attitude toward each other that must change.
But politics — the workings of government — isn’t inherently bad. In fact, politics affects our everyday lives. Politics impacts everything from opening the mailbox to buying groceries to taking a full trash bag to the dumpster. Government affects our daily lives. We can’t ignore it.
Our lives run smoothly because we have a system — because our government works.
Of course, our government isn’t perfect. Sometimes elected leaders are corrupt and sometimes laws are made that we disagree with, but we aren’t powerless to these happenings. Politics aren’t beyond us, they’re within our reach. We can speak out. We can talk about, discuss and consider new ideas. We can petition peacefully. We can be informed.
Knowledge is power. Knowing the processes of government can help us know how we can help and change things that we feel need to be changed. Knowledge comes from study, experience and conversation.
I’ve said it and I’ll say it a thousand more times: I love politics. Not because it’s clean and clear; not because it’s fun or nice; I love it because it’s necessary and important. And this is why I decided to create this platform. I wanted a place where I could write about American politics in a non-combative, open way.
On this blog I’ll talk about the basic functioning of government: How it works, why it works and how we can get involved. I’ll talk about current events and history. I’ll talk about and examine political issues: gun control, abortion, immigration, etc.
Let me know in the comments if there are any specific topics/content you’d like to see.
This blog isn’t just for me. I want you to comment. I want you to question. I want friendly debate. Comments are encouraged, but vulgarity, profanity and language will not be tolerated.
It’s my firm belief that every citizen has a responsibility to know how the government works, and it’s their privilege to be part of that process.