In one week our country’s citizens will exercise their right to vote and elect someone President of the United States of America.  It’s been called the most important job in the world.  Millions of dollars have been spent advertising each candidate’s position, and attacking the positions of their opponent.  Some have threatened to leave the country is their guy loses.  Some have even threatened to leave the planet (I doubt many would miss them).  Others have threatened civil unrest, win or lose.  With such high stakes, it seems everyone is on edge anxiously awaiting the outcome.  Not me.

America Is Bigger Than Any One Man

The problem with the office of the Presidency is that someone has to have one heck of an ego to think himself important enough to even run.  That could be said of any high political office.  Sure, there are a few who run because they truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, but most of Washington is full of self-serving individuals content to keep up the status quo, bring pork back to their constituents, and constantly campaign for reelection.  Despite their shortcomings, America is still the model of freedom and democracy around the world, largely due to the ingenuity and perseverance of her citizens.   In other words, we continue to be successful in spite of politicians, not because of them.

Ronald Reagan once said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Wise words.  You see, it is time we returned to a society of self-sufficiency, less dependent on our government to provide the basic needs we should be responsible for ourselves.   That’s not a call for complete anarchy, as I believe rules and regulations are important for a civil society.  However, those rules and regulations enforced by the federal government should be minimal.

God Bless the USA

We are blessed, no doubt about it.  We live in a time of unprecedented abundance, both in terms of material goods and opportunities.  Unfortunately, those freedoms are largely taken for granted, and in some circles they are even seen as a negative out of feelings of guilt that we enjoy success while citizens of other countries suffer.  We shouldn’t apologize for our success.  However, we should reign in our “irrational exuberance” for conspicuous consumption and learn to be more frugal stewards of our resources.  I should take my own advice here–as my own waistline has been a victim of such abundance!

We are blessed to have an all-volunteer military comprised of men and women willing to sacrifice life and limb for the freedoms we enjoy today, and for the safety of citizens worldwide unable to defend themselves from the rule of murderous dictatorships.  It is their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, that have ensured our democracy for over two hundred years.  We have survived world wars, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.  We have survived recessions, depressions and times of civil unrest.  We will survive this election.  We will continue to prosper regardless of the person occupying the oval office the next four years.

If you’ve made it this far into the article, I’m sure you are now expecting my official endorsement.  Sorry to disappoint, but I believe your vote is a personal matter, and I don’t want to influence your decision.  Besides, if you have been reading long and are well-aware of my strong fiscal conservatism, you can probably figure out who I’m voting for.  Then again, you probably can’t, because both parties have completely abandoned fiscally conservative ideals.

So my advice to you is to make an informed decision next Tuesday, not one based on the endorsement of your favorite actor, your parents, your pastor, or even your spouse.  Part of what makes this country great is the ability to express individual thought–and there is no greater opportunity to do so than next Tuesday.  Regardless of what happens, the sun will come up the next morning.  Businesses will open.  The markets will react.  And not much will change about your day-to-day life, as it should be.  You are ultimately responsible for your own success, so stop wasting energy worrying over politics, and start taking responsibility for your own happiness.

Post by Frugal Dad