Tired of politics

I'm tired of politics. Tired of them this year and tired of them in my life. There are important issues to be discussed, but rarely are they ... I've watched an hour of a debate to get 5 minutes of good information. This seems so wrong. Style over substance ...

I'm overhearing right now a program where two hosts of opposite convictions are going back and forth - both oversimplifying the issues and both mischaracterizing (or should I say demonizing) the other's view. It is more about getting a zinger, a soundbite than actually addressing the issues. There are few talking heads who actually get to substance - but ask them to take us, the audience, seriously? Naw, we can't know nuthin'

I'm tired of people not taking things seriously enough to get a basic idea what they're talking about. I love the quote, "Most people don't have a right to their own opinion because they don't know what they're talking about." No, I'm not really taking that position - that would be a funny position for a blog to take. But there's something to it. We pontificate on subjects all the time that we really shouldn't. There are some subjects I know quite a bit about, and it is funny to listen to people who are trying to impress with their knowledge. But, as I sit there chuckling at their "great declaration" I find myself wondering if that is how I sound to others ...

I don't speak as an outsider to the human race. I know I speak when I shouldn't and try to put forth an image of my profound knowledge that just isn't so. I need humility and "ears to hear" as much as anyone. I also realize that we get a lot of knowledge about our world through dialogue, so you have to put your opinions out there at times. I won't know how bad my ideas are unless someone engages with them and takes them apart. One cannot just be passively receiving information in life ... so there has to be a cycle of putting ideas out there, understanding one another, thinking critically through the ideas, and offering improvements. In theory, that's what I think politics should be ...

But its not. there's too much about power and greed and manipulation ... what else should we expect, though? Politicians are sinners as are we. None of us thinks the way we should nor acts the way we should. I think I could tolerate such a situation if I were convinced people were trying to do the right thing - trying to put in the hard effort of working through issues and finding solutions. But, I'm expecting too much perhaps, if I think politicians could implement these ideals better than the general population. Government is a good thing - ordained by God. But politics? At least the way we do it, I'm tired.

Tired. Tired of being a fallen man living in a fallen world among fallen people. But, I am being redeemed! I have been purchased from the slave-market of sin and no longer look to this life for my fulfillment. One day, I will see Him and be like Him! And on that day, perhaps I'll think back to this time and rejoice that politics is no longer part of my existence ... Even so, come, Lord Jesus ...