Grandma Henke

I went shopping today and flicked on the car radio on the way into town. From one station to another all I could hear were negative commentators with egotistical opinions telling me and other listeners how stupid we are if we don’t follow their narrow minded points of view. One of them used the word “idiots” to describe those of us who don’t agree with what he says. Another said we have “our heads in the sand”. I didn’t stay long on any one station but it was enough to make my blood start to heat up knowing what their negative poisons are doing to the America I love.

I don’t think this is what our forefathers had in mind when they wanted free speech protected by the constitution. I personally don’t think half of the radio hosts, the Rush Limbaugh’s of every political leaning, even believe what they are talking about. They do it for a living … it’s a way to make money … it’s a job for Pete’s sakes.

They aren’t building us up, they are tearing us down. Two, three, four, five negatives don’t make a positive. It doesn’t matter to me what side of the issue they are on if the way they talk destroys confidence and incites anger. I’m personally disgusted with the lack of respect that is shown publicly … over the radios, on late night television. It embarrasses me.

What happened to just plain honesty so we could make up our own mind on issues? It’s a thing of the past in politics and sports. I remember when my husband played church basketball when we first got married. If a player knocked the ball out of bounds and the referee didn’t see it the player would tell him not hide it. Now days everybody on both teams stands up and points in the direction they want the call to go, no matter who touched it last. What does that teach our children? The players know who touched it last. They are trained to lie about it … to flop … to get away with fouls. It isn’t part of a decent game, it is being dishonest. Our children are being taught that lying is acceptable.

I should never let my car radio pass through the stations of the political talk shows … it always gets me this way … starts me on a tangent about the good old days when honesty meant something and integrity was something to be proud of. When a man’s name was protected and proudly passed down to his children and they protected it to pass down to their children.

I know that there are many good people in today’s world who display honesty and integrity but it is getting harder to find them in the political world and that is pretty scary. It’s a sad thing when bad behavior and a lack of integrity are what we have come to expect … when we have to decide who is the best out of three people we don’t really support in order to vote.

I am an old fashioned girl, I guess. I grew up feeling patriotic, loving the American flag, showing respect for elected officials and public leaders … for law enforcement. I believe in the Golden Rule. I believe in treating people respectfully, courteously, and building people up instead of tearing them down. I believe it is wrong to lie, for any reason. I am proud of my husband for his integrity and honesty. I am proud when my children display those same traits. We are not the “idiots” … but we know who they are.

Technorati Tags: Radio Talk Show Hosts,Negativity in Politics,Honesty in politics,Integrity in politics