“If you are in your twenties and are not liberal, you have no heart. If are in your thirties and are not conservative, you have no brain.” – Sir Winston Churchill
As we approach the 2020 presidential election, these thoughts of the great statesman and Prime Minister come to mind. He lead Great Britain during the most trying of times. Most historians acknowledge that Winston Churchill was the right leader at the right time. He unified the nation and implemented a strategy that, with the help of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, saved his country from a Nazi invasion and the world from a totalitarian nightmare. Of course, the unification of Great Britain was his key accomplishment. It certainly stood well above his musings about political theory.
The Essence of Democracy
In the United States, the motto, “United we stand. Divided we fall.” has served our country well for generations. Though my wife and I have spent most of our lives in the United States, we both grew up in Toronto, Canada. As a result, we learned about government from great leaders like John G. Diefenbaker, the well respected Conservative Prime Minister and Lester B. Pearson, the famous Liberal Prime Minister. Both of these men showed class and integrity. They strived to unite the country behind their philosophies and respected others’ rights to have opposing points of view. While each saw the interests of the people of Canada from a different perspective, neither challenged the other’s motives or doubted the other’s good intentions. Each served as Canadian Prime Minister more than once and each presided over periods of strong economic growth and cultural harmony.
Ocala, protect our democracy and our values above all else!
Today America faces political conflict that threatens the very existence of our democracy. For example, many view the ends they seek as justifying the most drastic means. From the right, leaders attack our free press, our intelligence community and the our national police force, the FBI. They separate children from their parents and downplay the dangers of a pandemic that has already caused the deaths of more than 200,000 Americans. They attack opponents as if they were sicked upon us by the Devil himself.
But the leaders on the left, particularly super progressives, take equally dangerous but opposite stances. During the primaries, one candidate ran for President on the platform that “it is either them or us”. She argued that either the wealthy or the poor must win. This divisive platform confused me since I always understood that the role of our President was to represent all the people of our country, the wealthy, the poor and everyone in between. Additionally, I believed that our President must focus on building bridges to unite our people and on protecting our Constitution, not on dividing us and tearing our institutions down.
Vote. Have a voice in the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
There are leaders that understand the dangers we face. At the forefront is Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Republican Governor of California. He espouses better than most the philosophy that American democracy requires active participation. Of course, it demands a respect for apposing points of view as well. He argues that everyone must give voice to their opinions by voting, for if one fails to live up to their responsibility to our democracy, they have squandered more than the power of their vote. They have given up the right to complain about the consequences of doing so.
So make sure you have your say in the 2020 presidential election. If you haven’t done so already, cast your ballot on November 3rd. Don’t let this historic moment pass you by without participating in the outcome. Once you have done your duty as a citizen, respect the results of our election and your neighbors’ right to have opposing points of view. That is the very essence of our democracy. Remember, “United we stand. Divided we fall.”
Below we present few articles that will remind you of what our community stands for and encourage you to exercise your right to vote to preserve or change it:
Ocala, Florida Living
Compare Ocala’s cost of living, crime, schools and more.
Of course, you are invited to read more on USAToday >
Ocala, Florida Politics and Voting: The 2020 Presidential Election
As the 2020 presidential election approaches, it has been demonstrate clearly that Marion County, FL is Somewhat conservative. For example, in Marion County, FL 35.3% of the people voted Democrat in the last presidential election, 61.3% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 3.4% voted Independent. As a result, Marion county voted Republican in the previous five Presidential elections. Read more on ballotpedia.org >
The Ocala Style
At Ocala Style, we report on city events, personal stories and newsworthy happenings. Therefore, find your dose of inspiration for life, adventure, food, wine, spirits and entertaining. Let us inspire your next memorable meal. Additionally, Explore Ocala’s growing art scene as we introduce the community’s up-and-coming artists. Read more on ocalastyle.com >
The 2020 Presidential Election gives you an opportunity to do your duty as citizens. Don’t let the moment pass you by. VOTE!
Andrew Kruglanski, Broker/Owner
Ocala Home Guide Realty
(352)234-3048
andy.k@ocalahomes.online
Website: Ocala Homes Online