I have never considered myself a political person, and I have shied away from unilaterally backing just one political party. Yes, I know the system in many states requires you to declare yourself, or you can't vote in some of the primaries, so for many years (since I voted for Barry Goldwater) I have been -- on paper -- a "Democrat." But until recently I have always been ready to cast my vote for someone from another party, if I felt he or she would do the best job. As I wrote to a Christian discussion group some years ago, I believed (still do, actually) that anybody who adopts a label of Republican, Democrat, Baptist, Lutheran, whatever -- and feels they must support that entity, no matter what -- has stopped thinking, and has given up responsibility for making the right decisions. Life is not so simple that one one group or one church or one political party can always be right. Having said that, I have been finding it impossible to cast my vote for anyone running on the Republican ticket at any level of government. Why? Because even many of the best and the brightest of those who associate themselves with the Republican Party seem ready to put aside their most basic beliefs "for the good of the Party," no matter what the good of the country or of the world might be. I would love to feel free to vote for anybody, regardless of political affiliation, if i felt that they would be willing to "do the right thing" for our country. , The recent election is a good step toward reestablishing political balance in the country. Hopefully, it won't be long before we can once again vote for "the Best" woman or man.

When I first started this website 15 or so years ago, I had a separate section for discussion of religion and faith issues. A few years ago, I combined the two topics. You may think that odd, but it's become clear to me that religion -- whether it is "christian," "Islamic,"" jewish, or any other -- has more to do with power, control and organization than it has to do with spirituality. Therefore, it is "political." [As you read what I write, you'll see that I believe in God, and am an avid follower of Jesus' teachings. You may consider this "religious;" I disagree, and will try to show why.]

The writings I put on these pages will be random. What I want to talk about is why one should seriously consider the implications of what "the sides" -- whether religious or political -- ask of us. Feel free to write me with any thought for or against what I say.