AMERICANISM

We have all been watching as the presidential candidates vie for the nomination from our Party. As we watch the debates and watch the commercials and we watch the endless analysis by the press, we need to stop watching and begin to think about what each of these candidates is saying, what they are trying to get us to believe about their candidacy and them. 

I was struck the other day by the idea (not my own by the way) that we need to stop and take some time to think.  THINK, now that is a word we don’t hear a lot in politics.  We are inundated by the news, the commercials and information that the press and these candidates are trying to sell us.  But do we actually take the time to research the records of these individuals?  Do we take the time to really listen to what they are saying?  Or do we merely base our decision on emotion.  Do we like the candidate?  Do we feel that what he is trying to say is what I feel?  Does he look presidential?  Does he fit into my idea of what a president should be? 

Most people do not realize the importance of the election we have in March that actually picks the person that we want to represent our Party in the General Election in November.  The Presidential Primary is conducted for the purpose of permitting the qualified voters of Texas to express their respective preferences as to the nominee of the Republican Party to the office of President of the United States.  By voting for a candidate in March we give a certain number of votes from our state to the National Convention delegates where the candidate is chosen.  There, of course, is a lot more involved but I need not go into that here. 

In our county and I am sure most others, a very small percentage (8-15 per cent) actually go to the polls in the Primary election.  Most of those are the Party faithful, and the activists.  (Which could be a whole other story). 

Every candidate brings something different to the table, we may not like everything about each candidate, but not one of these candidates is perfect, just as our process is not perfect, but it is better than any other in the world.  We are so very fortunate and I hope we never forget that.

What I am trying to say here is that we all need to get the word out, get the vote out in the upcoming Primary election.  Get out and support the candidate of your choice, walk for that candidate, Presidential, statewide or local but be active in your community.  Try to recruit others to become involved.  But after it is all said and done, support the candidate who is chosen.  He, whoever he is, is much better than the alternative.

Jody Deller

Americanism Chairman