Here we go again

Reflections on another contentious election

In the immortal words of George Carlin:

I don't like ass kissers, flag wavers or team players. I like people who buck the system. Individualists. I often warn people: “Somewhere along the way, someone is going to tell you, 'There is no "I" in team.'  What you should tell them is, 'Maybe not. But there is an "I" in independence, individuality and integrity.'" 

I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Liberal. I am not a Conservative. My beliefs don’t happen to align with either the Left or the Right. Gender may not be binary, but politics certainly is not. Or shouldn’t be.

Therefore, I could not in good conscious vote for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

I am a person with strong, passionate beliefs. I am kind, loving and compassionate. And if you disagree with me, I am still all of those things.

This space is not for sharing my personal beliefs. Many of them I keep to myself because they are no one else’s business. But here are a few that perhaps we should all embrace:

Treat others as you would have them treat you.

Love everyone, including those you disagree with, even your enemies.

Have an open mind. Strive to better understand different beliefs that make no sense to you.

I urge anyone reading this to practice these principles and remember them when you think you are justified in vilifying someone who believes differently than you.

Put love first. Before politics. Before party. Before being right. Before winning. If we put love first, we all win.