What do you do when you must pick one side over another? In today’s news, Americans are being prompted to choose sides. For example:
-the presidential race
-in the contest for Speaker of the House
-in the Israel War
-life over death
-good over evil
-freedom over tyranny
-and more
What are your options?
-Pick one side over the other.
-Don’t choose any side and ignore the issue.
-Stay in the middle lane, choosing neither side.
Since we are Americans, We the People run the government. Consequently, all that our government does directly reflects back to us. If we are indifferent, others make decisions for us. On the other hand, if we stay informed and involved, we choose our leaders. If those leaders disappoint, We the People are responsible for believing what they said they would do. We did not research enough or connect the dots to discern how they would lead.
When We Must Pick a Side
There are times when we must pick a side on an issue. To our own peril, we must not choose unthinkingly or by how we feel. Emotions can’t successfully govern a nation. When our feelings lead us, we become folly for the bullies and power seekers. Instead, we must be thinkers on serious issues. That’s the price of living in and keeping a free society.
When We Try To Stay Safe
For those who would choose neither side, preferring to stay safely in the middle, this shows weakness, not strength. It signals that you want to avoid risk, are indecisive, or want to be liked.
There is a time for everything. There’s a time to choose a side and a time to stay in the middle. That middle lane for Americans is the founding American principles in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. When we forsake the ground that has made us a free, self-governing people in favor of being “liked” by the prevailing feeling of the culture, we leave ourselves open to eventual attack. Such is the result of perceived weakness. To remain strong, Americans must unite on our founding principles. (Here is one of them: https://civicsandcitizenship.org/how-the-constitution-guards-against-tyranny/ ) If any side does not support our foundation, that side is perilous.
Pick a side. Choose wisely.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.
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