Surviving the Final Political Attack

Finally, Tuesday is election day. 

Like many others, I am tired of recorded phone calls (seven in a half hour this morning), Facebook rants (some from friends I usually admire), dozens of expensive printed pieces in my mailbox each day, and attack ads. 

I will vote Tuesday, and nothing I hear today will change my mind. I have done my research, considered how this election will impact tomorrow and my grandchildren's tomorrows, and searched my heart. I am confident where my vote will go and certain it is made on as much truth as I could find. 

And truth was hard to discern this year. Sadly, we all lose when elections are based on revenge, hatred and intentional false witness by candidates, supporters and special interest groups who believe the ends justify the means.  Neither side of the issues, and very few of the candidates, are exempt from this criticism this year. 

Maybe because of the use of social media as a political tool, I also felt that our long-standing freedom to respectfully disagree with family and neighbors is no longer tolerated, replaced with tolerance instead for brow-beating, name-calling and ridicule.  After witnessing so much emotional violence in this election, I think next time out, if our political system continues to support attack ads as the preferred campaign vehicle, maybe each candidate should be given a gun, sent out 20 paces and, well... you know. 

Somehow it seems more civilized than this year's campaigns have been. 

I have set up my own battle plan to survive the final onslaught. My phone is on mute, my TV on cable stations that have no commercials, and the seven newly-received pieces of mail supporting Ted Lillie (enough already!) have gone directly into the recycle bin. 

The fireplace is on, I have settled in with a good book, and the apple dumplings have just come out of the oven. 

Freedom is mine! Peace out!