By Megan Cynaumon
Dear Avery,
Politics are ugly. They make people more angry than hopeful.
I grew up in a liberal home in a very liberal area. In a land of Democrats, surely I would adopt the same stances. When I was looking for colleges, I made a decision to look into Christian schools (which are typically conservative). You are probably thinking… how are you a LIBERAL CHRISTIAN?! Isn’t that an oxymoron? Trust me, I get it a lot. Going to a Christian college with “Anti-Bush” stickers on my car resulted in my car being keyed.. so yeah, a lot of people don’t get it. (Learned quickly to take stickers off my car)
I wanted to see for myself: WHAT DO I BELIEVE? Only way to find out is to take yourself out of your comfort zone and hear what others think. So I did. Heck, I ended up marrying a Republican! Eek! 😉 Here I am, living among a majority of conservative minded people and befriending quite a few. Now, I find myself more of a moderate. In hindsight, I’m sure literally moving from one extreme to the next… I seemed to have found middle ground I was looking for.
In the grand scheme of politics, I’ve learned that it’s important to take a firm stance on your views, but it DOES NOT define who you are. And to not judge others because they don’t see it the way you do. Seems so simple, but man, is it easy to roll your eyes.
Avery, we live in an incredible country. America gives you the freedom to choose, the freedom of speech, and the freedom to change your mind. I’ve met wonderful people who share incredibly opposite views of these so-called politics. And that’s why we are so lucky to live where we live.
But with incredible freedom, comes incredible ugliness sometimes. I wish politicians would stop putting each other down and focusing on their parties. I wish they would put their pride aside and work together (Democrats and Republicans). Elections are just disgusting. Urrrgh… I stop there. 🙂
With all that said, Avery, you have the right to choose. Choose what you believe and who you believe in. But choose for yourself…not for the majority. Not for your family or your peers. Do your homework, read on issues that concern you and/or inspire you.
Yes, I’m a Liberal Christian…but that doesn’t mean that you have to be.
With love,
Aunt Megs*
With Love, Aunt Megs 
