Reprehensible!

Freedom isn’t picky when it comes to Americans voicing their opinions without censorship. Everyone enjoys the right to free speech unabashedly. In fact, there are a large variety of influencers that will stop at nothing to exercise this right.

A resolution recently passed in the House of Representatives showed our influencers’ support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, while also demanding an immediate cease-fire to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

The vote was 426–3!

Yes, you read that right — there were three representatives who actually voted against the resolution:

Paul Gosar (R-IL) voted against it, tweeting “Talk to me when our border is secure,” in reply to Adam Kinzinger (D-IL) who called their actions “unreal.”

Thomas Massie (R-KY) said there were a number of reasons he could not support the resolution, citing “the call for isolating Russia economically could ultimately backfire if “innocent people in Russia” suffer under harsh sanctions and develop resentments against America.”

Matt Rosendale (R-MT) has clammed up and hasn’t divulged why he voted against the resolution. He and his spokespeople have not returned calls asking him to defend his vote.

I find it difficult to believe that the majority of people who elected these three gentlemen would be in agreement with their votes! Surely, a majority of their constituents would be shocked and opposed to such an action if they were able to cast the vote themselves.

This makes me seriously question, in essence, our two-party system of electing qualified individuals to represent us on Capitol Hill. Riding the coattails of a popular personality does not guarantee any elected official will vote the same way a majority of his supporters would vote.

These three politicians happen to be Republican, but there are plenty of zany characters on both sides of the aisle. This makes me wonder if being “WOT” (way out there) attracts more political power to them than they should have.

When November rolls around and Election Day speeds into view, will our country elect even more of these WOTs? Have we become so disparate in our views that we will always have political animosity toward each other?

In today’s world, we have become so divisive that no one ever recognizes the good that comes from one administration to the next. We’re too busy condemning the approach to the solutions we seek that we neglect to look for anything positive.

It seems the thought process that lives today is it’s either done completely by the Republicans or completely by the Democrats. No middle ground exists where we get to implement good ideas from both sides of the aisle, at least, not without contentious bantering back and forth between forces.

The American voter should pay attention to their Senators, Congressmen, and Congresswomen when they debate bills and pass legislation. Each of us should ask ourselves, “Did they vote the way I would want them to vote?”

If they don’t represent your views on most of the issues that are important to you, do they deserve to be reelected, or should you be looking for another candidate who will represent you fairly?

Personally, I am looking for candidates who will bring some common sense back to the legislative table, someone who shares similar views with me. I will vote for someone who shows patience and a spirit of being able to work well with others to further the common good of our country.

There are a multitude of other attributes a politician must possess to be considered qualified to hold office and therefore be eligible to earn my vote. But one of the most important rules any politician should adhere to these days is this ages-old adage: "Judge not, lest ye be judged!"

Even though our Senators and Congressmembers sit on opposite sides of the aisle from each other, there needs to be a much higher level of cooperation between the sides. Obstructionism has no place in politics!

Thanks for reading this!