Orethapedia

A sorority sister I love dearly pointed out an article by a woman who explained articulately why she was frustrated that Bernie Sanders lost. I appreciate all of what she said. Don’t think for one moment,that those of us who are not Bernie Sanders supporters are not frustrated.

Let me help you out, as  I know that I’m not alone. Being angry about the right things and in the right way is virtuous. I believe I am a virtuous woman.  Anger can be great when virtuous. Being angry over the right things is important. You may not be the king of a great nation, but you probably have other people who will be deeply affected by how you live your life, for the choices you make will impact your spouse, family, friends, and coworkers. Thus, a lot is at stake in your ability to make good judgments.

I stand by my choice to vote. I stand by my choice that absolutely, under no circumstances will I support Donald Trump for President.

I think about  what my wise judgment has told me. The person with wise judgment follows the principle “begin with the end in mind.” When making a decision, he first considers his goal and then discerns the best means for achieving it. Corporations do this with mission statements, strategic plans, goals, and objectives. Athletes do this with training schedules. Human beings should do this with their lives. Without a target clearly in mind, we are going to live our lives off the mark. As the saying goes, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

I challenge you not to sit out. I challenge you to harvest that  voice you so eloquently put to paper.

Sure there are moments that a decision is made because the group think says it is right. Other times, after actually starting to carry out a decision, we withdraw from the good purpose we set out to pursue because we experience difficulties or suffering in it. Pontius Pilate, for example, knew that Jesus was innocent and that it was out of envy that the chief priests accused Him (Jn.18:38; Mt. 27:18). Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but when faced with a riot breaking out and people threatening him, he gave in to the crowds and handed Jesus over to be crucified (Jn. 19:12-16). He withdrew from doing the right thing.

Endured by those in the Republican Party as a pain, Donald Trump is no longer amusing.

Here are the just a few of the things that infuriate me.

• He suggests that the Presidency holds absolute power.  It does not. Checks and balances helps with that.
• He outrightly mocks the spirit of America by making fun of people.  The list is endless of the names he has handed out.
• He  outright stokes the flames of discord amongst Americans.
• He lacks empathy and sympathy.
• He is ignorant of what he will represent.When asked by a member of Congress about Article I, which enumerates congressional powers, the candidate responded, “I am going to abide by the Constitution whether it’s number 1, number 2, number 12, number 9.” The charter has seven articles for the record. He furthered proved that when he invited Russia to hack us.  Someone should explain what treason is.
• Trump has zero understanding of the facts of the world. His disbelief of global warming is astounding considering how a little storm named Sandy smacked the east coast around likea rag doll.
• The cries for economic and social justice that ‘Occupy’ and the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movements is trivialized by him as being a few ingrates

I am sorry but as a praying woman, I am sorry your candidate is not in the running. His principles have been incorporated into her platform.

Now is the time, now is the challenge.We need to get our priorities right here, and we need to do it  quickly. We have what may be the most important election in the nation’s history. Please don’t sit this one out. One of the privileges we have in the United States is to vote for officials and for propositions. We should not sit on our hands.

We should be engaged, informing ourselves, studying the issues and showing up at the voting booth. Don’t let anger stop you from the process.  By the way, a President is as good as their cabinet. I don’t think this is the last we have seen of Bernie Sanders.

Use virtuous anger and get engaged.