I figured it was about that time to write a post on politics since that's all the buzz or at least that's what it seems like lately. I must admit that not until recently have I been so intrigued by politics and how everything in the USA works. Honestly, I've been somewhat clueless and really didn't care much about what went on. Not until I came to play basketball in Europe did I begin to take interest in it all. I guess what really grabbed my attention was certain things that were different here that I didn't understand and also my teammates would ask me certain questions about the U.S. that I couldn't answer and that's what led me on my journey. I remember my teammate asked me about health care in the U.S. and how he couldn't believe that it was free. I asked him, "You guys don't have to pay to go to the hospital" and he said that they had Universal Health Care. From that point on I was like, why don't we have that in the states?? Shortly after i began to search for answers and realized that NOTHING is free!! There is a little thing in which no one likes or at least I don't think people like them and here in Europe its prevalent. That little thing is called TAXES!! I begin to learn more about Socialist economies and Capitalist economies and Communist and so on and the differences between them. I used to wonder why things were SO expensive here compared to back home. A small apartment or at least what we would call a small apartment back in the states might consist of 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and maybe a couple of other things and those things would be for sale for €500,000!! Also it is so hard to get land here to build a house and the whole process can take years. Enough about that.
It really is a shame that we have to be divided by parties in the United States and other parts of the world. Whats even more of a shame is the fact that people choose certain parties for all the wrong reasons! First off I'd like to thank my father for always challenging me to think and not just go with what everyone else is doing but to stop, and ask questions. Why are things this way? Why is the U.S. structured the way it is? Why has the U.S. been the most successful, most powerful, most sought after to country to live in ever? Why do people risk their lives, their families lives, and everything else in order to pursue a life in the U.S.? I admit that politics can be very confusing at times especially when you are just starting to try and understand everything. Many people get all their information form certain sources on TV such as CNN, Fox News and so on. The problem with that is most of these TV stations have agendas as well. They may only put things on the TV that they agree with or try and sway peoples opinions by not sharing the whole story. Many people fall into the trap of believing everything they hear on TV and not researching things on their own. Like my father told me once, "Ignorance is our Countries greatest threat." People not knowing. There are so many people out there now who know nothing about either of the presidential candidates but will vote for one or the other because of race. Ill vote for him because hes black or Ill vote for him because hes white. Also some people whose parents are Democrat or Republican will vote for what their parents vote for because they are stuck in their ways instead of stepping back and making a decision for themselves. There are some people who no matter what you say or do, even if you prove them wrong time after time after time, will vote for a certain party or individual. Without telling what Party I am for because frankly its not important right now, I will mention the many times I've heard my Father debate with opposing parties about why they are what they are. Time after time they would be proven wrong or were clueless as to why they vote the way they do. My Dad says that hes waiting for the day that one person he debates with can hold their position but to this day it has not happened. These are people I've always thought of as smart people and they end up sounding how do I say hmmmmm........Ignorant! If you don't know by now I am a black male and I don't know how many times I've been approached and asked the question are you Democrat or Republican and then they stop in the middle of their question and assume democrat!! Maybe I am democrat and maybe I'm not but to assume I am affiliated with a certain party because of my race is preposterous! The purpose of this post is not to sway your opinion to be for a certain party but to ask questions and truly search for answers. No party is perfect and and all will make mistakes. Whether there is a democrat in office or a republican, don't think that because things are going great or because things are going terrible, its all that parties doing. I hope this post has caused you to think and ASK QUESTIONS!!
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