A Few Things I've "Learned" From This Election

Before I begin, I want you to know that I am going to thread as lightly as possible with this post. Why? Because I have tons of readers who may not agree with me and quite frankly some of them are people that I absolutely love and do not wish to offend. Also it is always cupcakes, ice cream, shoes, butterflies and all things nice on this blog so I'm about to switch things up. As sweetly as possible.

You may not agree with me. You may click the un-follow button. You may decide I'm the wisest person ever (most likely not). You may stick around even if you do not agree with me because you know that I am not here to piss you off. I would say spare me the comments that tell me how wrong I am or how un-Christianlike I am but I actually want to hear what you have to say. I ask one thing, be respectful.

OK, here we go. May the odds be ever in my favor.

1. Democrats are lazy.

I've had a job since I was 13. Yes, 13. Doing what you may ask. Doing hair. At 10 years old I decided that I wanted to be my sister's hairstylist and it is what I became. At 13, people began asking my sisters and friends, "Who did your hair?" And they would say, "My sister" or "My friend Faith". Before you knew it I was doing everyone's hair and getting paid for it. Some weekends I would make $250.00 and at 13 years old that was pretty incredible.

From that time, I became quite independent. At 16, I was a camp counselor. When I went to college I worked. When I graduated, I worked two jobs. When I wanted a fabulous wedding, I got a second job. When I wanted a promotion, I worked harder and got the promotion. My point is that not all Democrats are lazy. Every single thing I have, I worked my behind for. The government is not paying my bills. I learned early on about working hard because my immigrant father came to this country with $100.00 in his pocket. He worked his behind off. He got his PHD in engineering. Became the first black person at his job to be hired for an extremely coveted position and made a lot of money, the type of money you want to be making today. My mom was a SAHM with 4 children living in NYC so we were not poor. I learned that if you want something you work for it. I'm not lazy. I learned how not to be a long time ago. And wait for it ............................. I'm a Democrat.

2. Leadership respect is not so common.

OK, I've always voted democratic. So when President Bush won his second term I was not so happy. But never, and I repeat never did I call him a name that I couldn't say in front of my parents. Why? I was taught that no matter who is in leadership you respect them. If you don't like what they are doing you pray for them. Never and I repeat never ever utter a bad word about someone in leadership. Do you know why my parents taught us that because the bible taught them that. I was amazed to see how many people I respect and love were bashing Mr. President. Calling him names like Moron. A$$hole. Muslim. Dumba$$. And my favorite, "He's not my President." Lots more but my sisters read this blog and I don't want them telling my parents that I'm being all sorts of crazy on the Internet. Moving along, and we wonder why America isn't where we want it to be. First learn to respect your leaders. Oh, but it needs to be earned you say. And to this, I say, he earned it. Which leads me to my next one.

3. Research.

Stop quoting others. Stop watching only one channel. Get your information by seeking it from ALL places. Sean laughs at me because I watch everything. Everything. Yes, even Fox News. But I have never taken anyone's word for anything because after I learned something disturbing I actually went and checked to see if it was true. You'd be so surprised what you learn when you step outside of your comfort zone. As uncomfortable as it may make you, do it. Especially now. America needs us.

4. The only reason black people voted for President Obama is because he's black.

Yes, that is true. Same truth that some people voted for Mitt Romney just because he is white. I have many black friends who voted for Mitt Romney. Why? They thought he was the better candidate. I also have white friends who voted for President Obama. Why? They thought he was the better candidate. I did not vote for President Obama because he is black. I voted for him because for me he is the better man for the job. I agree more with Democratic policies than I do with Republican policies. Always have and maybe always will. My point is, I'm already waiting for #Hillary2016 and she is white and so is her husband. Oh and so is my husband so obviously I don't only like black people.

(I hope you know that last line is just to make you smile. Not smiling? Sorry.)

5. If you're a Democrat you are obviously not a true Christian.

This one is my favorite. I'm a Christian. This does not mean that it gives me the right to spew all sorts of hateful stuff. Who am I? Who are you? Are you God? I "loved" it when I would hear someone say all sorts of hateful stuff like, "God allowed Hurricane Sandy to happen to let those blue states know they are sinners. God does not like sinners." And then the next day they say, "God is using me in so many ways." "Sunday service was amazing, my pastor spoke right to my heart." Or "Let God's will be done". And then President Obama is elected President again and you're all, "I hate him, worst President ever."

I'm calling bull. Complete bull. You can't have it both ways. Either you're an amazing Christian or you're a complete, sad excuse for a Christian. Stop giving us all a bad name. If you think Christ is going to say what you just said, then say it. Until then keep your lips tight. Better for all Christians everywhere. This leads me to:

5. The economy is more important than social issues.

OK, yeah. Right. I agree that the economy is not where it ought to be. But my research has shown me that the economy is better than it was 4 years ago. And Sean's and I's 401K has skyrocketed in the last year. Do the research, you'll be surprised what you find.

OK, back to social issues. God gave me free will. God gave you free will. He did that because He wants us to make our own choices whether He likes it or not. We don't serve Him because He is making us do it, we serve Him because we want to do it. Same goes for what a person wants to do with their own lives. If someone wants to have an abortion, let them. If someone wants to marry a person of their own gender, let them. It's a decision they can make because God gave us free will. Stop pushing your convictions down other's throats. It is NOT the way God works.

Not too long ago, Sean and I would be arrested for being married and I'm not down with that un-equality. Equality for all or equality for none. And I'm a Christian, sue me. If someone said during the Civil Rights Movement that I am more concerned with my economy than I am with your basic human rights I'm pretty sure we would have given them the side-eye. Don't get the side-eye now.

6. People hate welfare.

I am not oblivous. I do not live in Utopia. I am aware when I'm checking out that someone has the iPhone 5 and is paying for their food with food stamps. Trust me, it irks me. IT IRKS ME! Something needs to be done about this because it is so not OK that I have to wake up early, get my behind to work and continue to do it everyday in order to ensure that I have food on my table and fabulous clothes to wear. BUT I also know a single mother, with 3 children (because she did not ABORT them) who works three jobs and still can't make ends meet. So how can I turn a blind eye when I know that there are people in this world who really need help. You know what? I live well. We didn't buy the biggest house on the block that way we can go out to eat whenever we want. Travel whenever we want. So if that means you take a little from me that way someone out there who really needs help, gets help, I'm down with that. I am so down with that.

7. Don't be just because your family is, your friends are, your favorite blogger is, because it's what you've known all your life.

If that was the case, I would for sure be a Republican. No joke.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

No matter how much this election made you happy or got you screaming like a crazy there is one thing for certain. We are living in a trying time. Life is hard. But it can be better. We have GOT to start working together because if we continue down this road America isn't going to be the land that our forefathers intended it to be.

Be better than your political affliations. Be better than your world. Be better than you ever thought you could be.

We can do it. Are you?