Both politics and religion are topics that many people feel uncomfortable about discussing.  They feel they are personal and shouldn't be discussed openly.  Also, both these subjects can become very "hot" topics of discussion ... often causing fights even among dear friends.

These reasons are why I chose to put them together.

POLITICS:  Basically I don't like politics or politicians.  And with the recent Clinton situation I see no reason to adjust my thinking on this matter.  Oh, I think politics are important but the men in power have spent too many years abusing that power and this infuriates me!  I often wonder what men like Washington or Lincoln would have to say to people like Nixon, Kennedy or Clinton.  I can see Lincoln hanging his head in shame and Washington would have probably spared no emotion in telling them that this is NOT what a president should be doing with his power.

And I'm very tired of the argument that all men are imperfect and that we should expect some lying from them.  This just is NOT acceptable!  When a man or woman is voted into a position of power and then abuses that power they should be removed ... no discussion. 

And it's not just America.  Men like Hitler, Stalin and Sadamm Hussein have caused this world to be a much worse place due to their abuse of their power.  And yet people still follow them, and their memories, blindly.  This in itself amazes me!  How many times does one need to be lied to and abused before we move on?

Of course in the countries that had these leaders the choices for leader were seldom, if at all, up to the people.  But in America we have a choice and to not use that choice is an abuse in its own right!  But I also strongly believe that the American government is no longer "Of the people, For the people and By the people" but is now "Of the government, For the government and By the government."  The people are only there for "show."  We don't really matter.  Politicians don't go into office, I feel, to help us but to help themselves.  They help themselves to nice homes, nice cars, the best food, the best clothes, and get a salary on top of all of this (not to mention the pensions they receive when they retire).

I think the last good president we had was Jimmy Carter.  He at least tried to lead us by being honest and good principals.  But the majority weren't happy with him.  Maybe this tells us that people want to be abused?  They want to be lied to?  They want to be ill-treated?  I certainly hope not!  Because if that's the case ... we are doomed as a society and as a  people!

RELIGION:  Let me begin by saying that I have been in and out of religion, though never an atheist I have been a believer of "someone" all my life.  I went through a transformation from my youth to now.

In my youth I believed but didn't know who to put that belief into.  In my early days of adulthood I believed in that "being" coming from another planet or solar system ... Extra-Terrestials.  Then I sought more structured religions. 

I wasn't raised with any special religion, though my mother was raised as Southern Baptist (her father was a minister) and my father had been raised a Catholic.  So, I pretty much had to find religion on my own.  When I was a teen I even entertained the idea of becoming a Hari Kristnia (sp?) but I think my reasons were wrong ... I liked their music!  I never attended much church as a child or in my early adult years.  But in 1981 I became a Jehovah's Witness.  And after a long time of being one I recently stopped this year.  I hold nothing against them, they are a fine religion and I highly suggest anyone "searching" include them but, for me, I had to leave.

Now I am at a point where I really don't know what I'd be classed as, religion-wise.  I am not atheist because I believe, so I'm not agnostic either.  But I don't agree with how the world is and how many have to suffer.  So, I guess, you can say I believe but don't support God.  I don't know what that's called. 

So I do all I can to make this world a better place.  I rescue animals and find them good, safe homes.  I try to be nice to everyone and I help the environment in every way I can. 

I'm happy.
 

By:  Jane Byron Dean
1998