I wrote and published on my blog the following letter out of sheer desperation, and frustration watching the GOP primaries unfold way back in February 2012.
We obviously still have not made any headway into having a serious, civil national dialogue about the state of the nation since then, with even more Americans retreating to information and blog sites that cater to their point of view, which does not make new ideas and ways of thinking about things possible. Anyway, I felt like sharing with like minded friends here, even if I change no minds.
Dear Senior voter,
Many Americans a mite younger than you have always looked to your example when making important decisions, like choosing a president. As someone who spent a good portion of her youth working in nursing homes, caring for the elderly, I know for a fact that older Americans are a veritable treasure trove of knowledge and history. So will you please stop losing your damn minds over the same stale, old, wedge issues trotted out at election time: abortion, contraception and gay marriage! Get your news and information from more than one source and medium, you should not believe everything a radio or television talk show hosts presents as fact for Decision 2012. Please pay more attention to the more immediate concerns such as strengthening the economy, addressing our crumbling infrastructure, and reducing the bloated national debt with good common sense, so we can still care for those who need help most. Do you remember a time when the roads, highways and bridges were in good working repair? Public works created valuable economic programs enacted in the New Deal that saved and lifted millions from a depression. Relief, Recovery, and Reform did not kill jobs and business back then and it won't do so now. Think, and remember! Shouldn't we have an effective policy like that in our latest hour of need?
Your age group has seen the ebb and flow of politics throughout your lives, and how it affects the country for good or ill. Some seniors still remember the Red Scare, what it was like to live in the United States during the McCarthy hearings. Some of you experienced totalitarianism and extremism in far away lands, and have since had the good sense to become a US citizen. You know firsthand how well fear and misinformation can be used for political gain. You have seen fiery political rhetoric prod the masses into supporting actions, laws and wars that would come to be reviled as immoral in the history books. Social change is painful, but change with the world, we must. This country needs your best, it needs our seniors to participate in this democracy with an aim of improving the country for everyone, and that includes ensuring healthy Democratic and Republican parties. We beg you, as your children and grandchildren, give us the benefit of your wisdom and life experience in relation to today's problems. Instead of mouthing the tired old church-speak and stale racially coded accusations the GOP has been spouting to discredit President Barack Obama, show the nation that courage and quality quick thinking that helped the United States survive past times of hardship. Dear Senior Citizen, I am not telling you who to cast your vote for, I am just asking you to please consider deeply before you do.