An Election Year Making History - Will history remember?
INTRODUCTION:
Greetings to all. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "We are not makers of history. We are made by history." I do not believe it is necessary in this post to define what history is. I think we all know the answer to that. However, Martin Luther King, Jr. made an excellent, true statement. We do not make history. History is made by what we learn from the various events we face, how we handle them, and the results of our actions. What I question is how much of it we remember.
We are certainly not expected to remember everything. That is the reason for history books. However, some wish to have certain things removed from historical records due to racism or other reasons for their events. I do not believe that is the right way to handle that issue. These events occurred due to the times, and we have learned from our mistakes. Erasing them from history books does not mean they did not happen, and it removes an essential factor from the equation. That factor allows future generations to learn from our mistakes.
Additionally, history is forgotten over time as one generation passes to the next. Let's take 9-1-1 as an example. Those who were not born when this tragic event occurred will only learn about it if they are taught and read about it. This applies to everything in history, regardless of the subject matter. Like most cultures, we are not perfect and have made our share of mistakes. Some are worse than others. However, in each instance, there is an opportunity to learn.
As this election cycle nears an end, it was a historic journey. Yes, history was made.
WHAT HAPPENED?
This election cycle was inundated with so many things. To name a few;
One candidate was pushed out, and another was ushered in without any voter approval,
For the first time in history, the other candidate, a past president, was harassed with lawsuits, civil suits, two assassination attempts, his private home invaded by law enforcement, and a lack of proper Secret Service protection, among other things, by a justice system that was weaponized.
The list can go on and on, but I think you get the point. No time in our country's history has this occurred. Will people remember? Will it be in the history books? More importantly, will we learn anything from it? Is this the new era of politics and political campaigns? What has our political system turned into?
At the end of the day, who is held responsible for these actions? In this writer's opinion, no one in politics is held accountable for their actions. That is the first problem. There is no accountability. No one gets fired for doing a lousy job or making a critical mistake. Some of which can cause a person to lose their life. Investigations are shabby at best and get lost in the shuffle as the news cycle changes.
The mainstream media is a joke. With today's technology, we can pull small snippets of video and sound bites, and they can make it sound whatever way they wish to fit their narrative. The days of equal, fair, and unbiased reporting are a thing of the past. As an educator and public speaker, when I speak, it can be an hour-long presentation and most times longer. I NEVER use a teleprompter. If I cannot make a presentation based on my knowledge of the topic and cannot answer questions, I do not belong doing public speaking.
Some politicians cannot answer the basic questions presented to them without talking around the question and cannot present a speech without reading it off a teleprompter. When they try, they sound ridiculous. Technology is an excellent tool but not a replacement for intelligence. A leader, especially the President of the United States, whoever it is, should be able to speak based on their knowledge of the topic and events. Certainly, charts and graphs denoting data and statistics are acceptable when used as a reference or talking point.
Some of the greatest presidents in our nation's history never had a teleprompter. They had their speech on paper and referred to it as they went along. For me, this questions the intelligence of the person speaking and their ability to handle themselves spontaneously, such as meetings with the leaders of other nations when they MUST know how to communicate effectively. What has happened over the decades? Our history has shown us what makes someone a great leader. Have we all forgotten?
This becomes obvious in a debate setting. This is where we can see how effectively someone can speak and handle themselves. However, debates have become a match between who can sling more mud rather than addressing the issues. If candidates cannot handle themselves in a debate, how can they handle themselves when facing leaders of other nations? History is the best teacher. We choose to forget this and focus on the wrong things.
HISTORY:
History is unique. You can forget, not talk about, or take it from history books, but you cannot erase it. It happened. Intelligent people will learn from it; others will be damaged by it.
Everyone has a right to their beliefs, and everyone has a right to practice those beliefs. However, no one has the right to force their beliefs on others. Kamala Harris has said on numerous occasions that her values have not changed. Yet, she continues to flip-flop on issues in her attempt to gain the voters who do not believe in her values. I can't help but ask myself, if someone has had these values for years and still claims they believe in them, why would I think that after an election, should she win, she will not return to the values she has defended for years? This brings her credibility into question.
With Donald Trump, his values and policies have remained consistent for years. As a businessman and former President now running again for President, we know what we had. Some may not have liked his personality, but are we voting for a personality or someone who can do the job? One mindset, one goal. Doesn't it make sense to believe he would continue on the path he has followed for years? There has been no flip-flopping back and forth during his campaign. His campaign message has always been the same. It was also evident and direct. He did not run from interviews or questions. Like the saying or not, the goal is to "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."
Anyone who believes our nation is not in trouble and is not facing major global problems and possible escalating conflicts is living in a dream world. Yet, I still hear some say that I don't like Trump's personality. Some also say they do not like Kamala Harries for other reasons unrelated to her policies. The presidential election is not about which candidate you like more as a person. It is about who can and will get the job done. If I have said this once, I have said this a thousand times. You don't have to eat dinner with them, sleep with them, or socialize with them. However, you need to like their policies. You need to believe they will get the job done, keep their promises, and make life better for the people in our nation and our country. Most importantly, the President will protect its citizens and its borders. You vote for who you believe will get that done. PERIOD!
Everyone knows we have a rare opportunity here. We have Donald Trump, our past President, and Kamala Harris, a vital member serving as vice president in the present Biden/Harris administration. The rare opportunity is to be able to compare now to the past. When did you have it better? When was the world safer? An administration where she has stated many times, "she was the last person in the room." This means that she was part of President Biden's decision-making processes, which President Biden has repeatedly stated she was. Why didn't she try to change things over the past four years? Excuses don't cut it and certainly do not produce results.
IN CLOSING:
Yes, this is a historical election cycle for numerous reasons. One from which I hope we have learned something. Engaging with history allows us to recognize behavior patterns, understand the consequences of decisions, and appreciate the dynamism of human nature. Examining past triumphs and failures, we cultivate a deeper awareness of our social, political, and ethical landscapes.
Understanding history is not merely an academic exercise but a vital tool for informed decision-making. By acknowledging the mistakes and achievements of those who came before us, we can develop a more realistic perspective on current issues, fostering empathy and dialogue. Moreover, history equips us with the context needed to approach current challenges, empowering us to advocate for justice and equity. A look into a candidate's past choices gives us some insight into the choices they will make again. Most people, including presidents, are creatures of habit. Luckily, our leaders are surrounded by trusted advisers they can listen to. The smart ones will. Great ideas often result from many minds inputting information until a consensus is reached.
Learning from history underscores the importance of critical thinking and vigilance in preserving democracy and human rights. The lessons embedded in our shared past become even more relevant as we face global crises, from climate change to geopolitical tensions. A commitment to learning from history can inspire collective action and innovation, encouraging societies to pursue progress while honoring the diverse narratives that shape our world. We live in different times than decades past. However, our core values should never change. What this country was founded on should always be our template.
We should be reminded that history is not a static record of dates and events; instead, it is a dynamic and living narrative that continues to inform and influence our lives. Today's challenges are not isolated events but echoes of historical legacies that demand our attention and response. By embracing the wisdom of history, we enrich our understanding of the human experience and empower ourselves to forge a better future, learning and evolving as individuals and communities united by our shared past.
Do not let outside agencies trying to push their narrative fool you. Sadly, we no longer live in the most trusting society. A society where we can trust what we read or are told by others. Therefore, the two greatest gifts God has bestowed on us are common sense and the ability to think for ourselves. Use them.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are not inventing the wheel. I ask you to consider this. We have all heard Kamala Harris and Donald Trump speak. At the end of their speech, who did you understand better? Were all your questions answered? Did they answer questions? Get off the race, color, gender, and creed wagon. This election is NOT about that. This election is about one thing and one thing only. Which of these two candidates will get our country back in order? PERIOD!
Thank you.
Please feel free to leave comments, or if you have a topic you would like me to discuss, you can email me at crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. As always, I accept guest blog posts. If you want to write about a topic, email your finished draft in Word format to crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. I will review it and contact you. Thank you.
Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always:
Live with an open mind,
Live with an open heart,
Live your best life.
Best Regards,
Caesar Rondina
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