JIM “PAPPY” MOORE: Keep Sane About Politics

By Jim “Pappy” Moore

I have very strong feelings about the state of our country. I am intensely America First, and always have been. I have opposed illegal immigration my entire life because I care about the working men and women who lose their jobs to illegal immigrants. There are people in both major parties who have favored allowing illegal immigrants to enter the country. 

I feel likewise about foreign aid to other countries, and the sending of American troops to fight in wars we should have avoided. I did not change, but Democrats sure have. 

Now we are beyond the election and as I write this, we do not know the outcome. Frankly, I do fear massive fraud by Democrats. It is my hope it will not happen this time, or if it does, it is overwhelmed by good Americans who have had enough of the far-left trashing of the country and our history.

In spite of all this, I have family members and friends who vote Democrat, and they remain dear to me. I respect the right each person has to choose the way they will vote.  I have a very dear friend I have had since fourth grade. He and I see life very much the same way on general topics. But on politics, I have committed to the right and he has committed to the left. 

He and I meet for lunch four to eight times a year. We have a wonderful time, and mostly sidestep our conflict over politics. We are both dedicated Christians and generally good guys in life. We realize politicians do not care about us as the individuals we are, and we also know that we do care about each other – our health, our happiness, our struggles. 

I am here today to ask each of you to not breach your family and friend relationships over your political differences. I have dealt with many politicians the past fifty years. Most have incredible egos, and those get worse the more power and prestige they gain. They want your time and your money committed to them. Their attention span for you is measured in minutes. The more money you can give them or raise for them, the more they will like you. 

Do not let your devotion to Trump or Harris change your reality with the people in your life who actually matter. Who are you going to have Thanksgiving with? Who are you going to have Christmas with? Who is going to wish you a happy birthday? Whose children are a source of love and pride for you? Who do you really care about, and who really cares about you?

You cannot hold grudges and have a pure heart. Tell yourself that you will not allow your devotion to a politician or a party ruin the love and respect you otherwise have for people in your life who matter.

Who came to your wedding? Who came to your graduation? Who got you out of trouble that time you did something really stupid and needed a way to get out of it? These are not relationships to lose over political disagreements. 

We cannot allow our political differences to confuse us. I can guarantee you that you have political associates with whom you will never have a close, meaningful relationship. 

Stay sane about personal relationships. Do not expect others to agree with you on matters about how life should be lived, about which priorities matter most. Do not allow political differences to come between you and important friends and relatives. Grant everyone the right to choose their own beliefs, just as you expect them to give you that right.

Copyright 2024, Jim “Pappy” Moore. All rights reserved.