At Times There Is No Other Hand

One’s principals as traditions need to be re-examined and re-evaluated now and then. In many if not most, parts of the world it was considered impolite not to welcome a stranger into your home, provide sustenance and rest. A suspicion about new comers and strangers was considered backward thinking. The welcome matt was lying proudly in front of the door. Now it is more prudent to be cautious when a stranger appears at the door.

As people moved from rural areas into cities, it became essential to implement new laws of behavior, regulations affecting individual actions, and community living. Living in a house miles away from neighbors, it made no difference how much debris one had in their front yard. It affected no one but the homeowner. Try to do that in populated housing community now, one would be cited and forced to clean up the area. Such rules became common in our cities and accepted as just. Living in an apartment house, we are required to comply with rules of courtesy such as making noise. We comply to be good neighbors. But at times these rules, imposed by self appointed directors of sensibility, can be carried too far. Quite often, we hear of situations such as people being threatened with eviction for displaying the American flag, displaying political views in yards or windows, and having decals on one’s cars.

The fast held beliefs of yesteryear need to be amended to meet challenges of the present and future. There is little danger to a community if a person living on the prairie shoots a gun into the air. The same cannot be said about doing that in a crowded city. This does not necessitate denying gun ownership, just abiding by sensible rules. In a city where people depend upon each other more, it is not egregious to impose taxes that will pay for streets, public transportation, and other requirements for a well functioning city. Rules of behavior must include acceptance of others as long as they pose no danger to the community. These rules should not impede one’s prerogatives or ability to pursue a livelihood or happiness as long as these do not harm others.

So it is with politics. As the world changes around us some political standards need change. This does not mean abandoning ideals or standards that have served this nation well. Throughout most of the 1800’s, slavery was accepted as normal. That was changed and is now against the law. It was recognized at the beginning of the 20th century that denying women the vote was not right and now women have an equal opportunity to vote as do all lawfull citizens, regardless of race, religion, color, or origin.

All this is good but when some decide to implement laws that change the fabric of what this nation was based on, self reliance, individual freedom, and guaranteed opportunity to succeed, we have to realize that not all change is necessary nor for the general good. It is especially dangerous when people claim to have certain views when their actual inclinations are the opposite. These “fifth column” types infiltrate organizations to attain power in order to implement agendas that are the opposite of the organization. Some in the organization are willing to support them hoping for self advancement within the group. This brings me to the subject of compromising one’s principals. Just as Tevye, from The Fiddler On the Roof, realized that there are times when one can consider “on the other hand”, that at times there is no other hand, we must realize that at times compromise is not an option. That time is here and now. Conservative Republicans must stand for our principals and the United States Constitution. In these times of pending danger to our way of life we must not go along to get along. Just because a candidate states he/she is a true Republican and has the ability to be elected is not a reason for us to support their candidacy. A socialist who claims to be a Republican will push us further into a way of life that will stifle the human soul, stagnate economic growth, and denigrate the past and current sacrifices by many. It is time for us to vet candidates that will promote the aspirations of our founders. We must work with dedication and willingness to sacrifice and elect the right ones. We can not afford to sit on the side lines and hope that others will do the work for us.