You Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine

 

I am a Human Being.

I am a Christian.

I am a Freeborn American.

I am a man.

I am white.

I believe in the Constitution as written.  I am a Conservative, Libertarian, registered Republican who voted twice for Donald Trump only because I understand that his positions were better for America than those of his opponents. 

I am NOT a racist, bigot, nor a White Supremacist.  I am not a Nativist nor a Xenophobe.  I am not a Fascist.  I am not a Cultist.  My political positions are based on thoughtful analysis of political and economic theory, my life experiences, and a lifetime of observing the American condition.  As a Freeborn American I have the God given Right to my opinions AND the Right to express those opinions peacefully, as does every American.

I do not make assumptions about people based on their race, sex, religion, or national origin.  I do judge people by what they say, what they do, and how they treat others.  It is very likely that how you treat me and others will determine how I interact with you. I have preferences, likes, and dislikes that are based in my life experiences – every individual has the Right to their likes, dislikes, and preferences.

You may choose to dislike me because of my words and actions.  You have that Right.  If you choose to dislike me because only because I am a Christian, white, man who believes in the Constitution as written, or voted for Trump you are being prejudiced.  If you want to silence me because I disagree with you, you are a totalitarian Fascist.

I will respect your Rights to the expression of your ideas, in the same manner and to the same degree that you respect mine. 

In America we cherish the Rights to Freedom of Thought and Freedom of Expression.  There was a time when we respected one another and welcomed different opinions.  We followed the Golden Rule, we believed in “live and let live.”  We have become incredibly intolerant of different opinions.  We seem to be dangerously passionate in our belief in the absolute rightness of our positions, even though we can all be wrong at different times. I’d like to see our society return to a state of Grace where you are free to be you and I am free to be me.  Let the chips fall where they may.

Ghostly echoes of “the antenna of our age”, “a friend of us all, Mr. Bob Dylan”:

“Then the time will tell
           Who has fell
                     Who's been left behind
                                When you go your way and I go mine.”

You go your and I’ll go mine.  Walk as Free People.