When voting, focus on pocketbook issues, not party, politics, the person or their personality.

 

Focusing on what I call "pocketbook issues" is not only a pragmatic approach to voting but also a fundamentally sound one that transcends the divisive aspects of politics. In a world where politicians often divide people along ideological lines, it's essential to prioritize your economic well-being when casting your vote. Here's why:

1.     Financial Stability is Paramount: At the end of the day, one's financial stability forms the foundation for a prosperous life. The state of your pocketbook directly affects your ability to provide for yourself and your family, plan for the future, and enjoy a decent quality of life. Voting with this in mind is a matter of ensuring your economic security.

2.     Economic Policies Impact Everyone: Regardless of your political beliefs or affiliations, the economic policies implemented by elected officials have a profound and immediate impact on your life. Tax rates, job opportunities, inflation, access to affordable healthcare, and the cost of education are just a few examples of areas where government decisions directly affect your finances.

3.     Non-Partisan Approach: Focusing on pocketbook issues allows you to transcend the partisan divide that often characterizes political discourse. By evaluating candidates and policies solely on their financial implications, you can make an informed decision without being swayed by party loyalty or ideological dogma.

4.     Practicality Over Rhetoric: Political campaigns can be full of soaring rhetoric and grand promises, but it's essential to separate the talk from the actual impact. By prioritizing pocketbook issues, you can cut through the noise and evaluate candidates based on the concrete economic policies they propose and their track record in managing finances.

5.     Quality of Life: A strong economy isn't just about accumulating wealth; it's about enhancing your overall quality of life. Better economic conditions lead to improved access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and more. When your pocketbook is healthy, you have the means to enjoy a fuller, happier life.

6.     Long-term Planning: Economic policies also play a critical role in shaping the future. A responsible fiscal approach can lead to a more sustainable and prosperous society, ensuring that future generations have the opportunities they deserve.

7.     Accountability: Holding politicians accountable for their economic decisions is essential for a functioning democracy. When voters prioritize pocketbook issues, they send a clear message that they expect their representatives to make choices that benefit the majority rather than a select few.

8.     Bipartisan Cooperation: Focusing on economic matters can encourage politicians to find common ground and work across party lines. After all, everyone has a vested interest in a robust and growing economy.

In conclusion, your pocketbook is a symbol of your financial well-being and a reflection of the overall health of your society. While other factors certainly have their place in political discourse, focusing on how a candidate's policies will impact your finances is a practical and unifying way to engage in the democratic process. By doing so, you ensure that your vote is a well-informed and responsible choice that benefits both you and your community.

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

 If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Confront those whom you believe are part of the problem and who may be able to influence change. Come to them with solutions, not complaints or criticism.

If they don’t listen or even begin to understand, repeat this process until you have exhausted every means possible to solicit change.

If after this process no changes are being made, you need to make a decision to stay or leave.

Don’t give up easily; anything of value is worth working for, some say fighting for, and nothing comes easy. Never give up or give in!

Believe in yourself!

If you decide to stay in what you perceive to be a difficult situation, attempt through your actions to be a positive influence for change.

Don’t grumble, argue, complain, or speak negatively of your superiors or those in authority.

If you decide to leave, do so without fanfare.

Do not speak ill of any of those you are leaving behind. Never, ever burn a bridge.

In life, our choices may appear to be limited and controlled; however, we still have a choice of how we react, behave, think, and feel.

We make that choice; NO ONE makes that choice for us.

NO ONE forces us to think or feel a certain way.

Our attitude about anything is ours; we need to take personal ownership of our feelings and our attitude about life.

WE CHOOSE our feelings; they are not CHOSEN FOR US! No one is holding a gun to your head and telling you to feel a certain way.

If you don't like something, do something about that which you don’t like; make a difference, make a change. Even if it is a change in your outlook – your attitude.

It is better to be an instrument of change than a tool of destruction. It is better to be positive than negative, optimistic versus pessimistic.

Be careful never to hurt another human being's feelings intentionally.

Remember all those around you have feelings too.

Do not use words to inflame an already heated situation.

Hold your tongue; do not fall into the trap or temptation of speaking before you have carefully weighed the consequences of your words.

Life is too short to battle over things or events that are temporary, here today – gone tomorrow!

Don’t let others bait you into a needless debate over nothing or over things you have no control over – such as a sports team, sporting event, the government as a whole, our tax laws, our laws in general.

Don’t get all worked up over things you can’t change or don’t have any influence or control over.

Ignore these moments in life and move on.

Count your blessings and always give thanks to the Lord for every situation or circumstance you find yourself in.

Flee from temptation or sin; don’t put yourself in compromising situations.

Pray to the Lord for discernment and help to recognize situations that are not positive and good.

Always defend your love for the Lord.

Anything you believe is of no one else’s business unless you make it their business.

If you don’t want to fuel controversy, keep your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs to yourself.

Every time you open your mouth, you are opening yourself up to judgment or debate.

Judgment leads to debate, debate leads to controversy, controversy leads to arguments, arguments lead to fights, fights lead to war, and war leads to death.

All of this happens because people have varying opinions, beliefs, values, thoughts, and understanding about life. People also live in survivor mode and desire to carry out their own agenda.

Conflict and contention are the result of dissimilar thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and opinions.

The Lord has told us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Allow others the freedom to express themselves without you judging them.

If you want to avoid contention, be careful of what you say and around whom you say it. Be careful not to offend others by purposely taking a varying opinion just to cause an argument or debate. This will only lead to hurt feelings. Don’t presume you know how another person thinks or feels; this too will only lead to misunderstandings. Don’t believe that everyone has to think the way you do.

Allow others to think and feel however they would like.

It is better to remain silent than to open your mouth and start a battle.

Silence is golden!

Marriage is certainly an exception in most cases. You should be able to express yourself without reprisal, judgment, or fear. Two people who are married should be able to express themselves openly, honestly, truthfully without fear that they are being offensive.

Remember with time, opinions, beliefs, and ideas about certain things change.

Don’t get caught up in needless discussion about things or events that happened in the past.

Remember, one act is worth thousands of words.

Let your actions do the talking, not your mouth.

If you want to change something, start acting as though the change has already taken place and see how quickly that change will actually be implemented.

Remember life is never fair; there will always be people who will be acting out of selfish desires, greed, self-centeredness, narcissism, and their own agenda. They typically don’t even know that you exist; you have rights and feelings too, and they typically don’t care. They are caught up in their own little world, and you are simply a means to their end. If they no longer need you, they will discard you faster than a used napkin.

There will always be people who are not acting or behaving fairly; avoid them if the situation gets uncomfortable.

Some people are users. They will use you to get what they want. When they are done getting what they want from you or no longer need you, they will exit the situation.

This is what the Lord shared with me today as I was walking. I just start out walking and praying, and as I am praying, I ask the Lord for inspiration and guidance. Sometimes I get nothing, and my mind wanders on a variety of topics. Other times he gives me a clear picture of what he would like me to write about.

The important thing to remember is that I am only a man, a sinner no less. I am not perfect, and my writing is not an absolute direct revelation from the Lord. It is filled with my own personal experiences.

I love you, Lord, and I thank you for this bit of inspiration. I do appreciate you working through the Holy Spirit to guide me in my thoughts. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, I give you the glory, honor, and praise. I humble myself before you.

Amen.