Secret Combinations?

In the Book of Mormon, the prophets of old repeated warnings to the people to avoid "secret combinations"-- which means avoid those schemes and their people who work together in secret to undermine the good of the people, usually in a spiritual sense.  I'm starting to wonder if the political parties are well on their way to filling this definition.

This week were our local caucus meetings--both the democratic and republican.  And after watching the first one in person, and the second one via friends who were texting me their updates, I'm starting to wonder.

I've been a registered Independent from my first voter registration filing.  I was initially taught that as a voter I should look at the individual and his/her stand on issues--regardless of party affiliation.  I learned that there were good people in both parties and it was best to vote my conscience and align my vote with those whom most closely feel like I do on any particular subject.  I have bought into that ideal from the beginning.

In any other state, I would certainly have stronger conservative leanings, but where I live now is SO very conservative it nears reactionary at times.  So my Independent affiliation, at times must seem radically liberal to others.  But I feel most comfortable there and have no plans to change my thinking on this.  (This certainly must disappoint my dad, but there you have it.  Sorry, Dad.)


I completely understand that as I am affiliated elsewhere, I didn't expect to be able to participate in the democratic caucuses.  But at least they welcomed me as an observer.  I tried, on the state GOP's website, to verify the location of my precinct's meeting and it wouldn't even let me see the information without registering as a republican.  Now, even with the recent redistricting, I already knew my precinct and where we were supposed to meet.  But I knew immediately I wasn't even welcome as an observer in the GOP's meetings.


The other interesting thing I noticed--from both sides of the political spectrum--were the hatred and vitriol that was spewed at the opposition.  That kind of partisanship is what is bogging down our progress in the Senate and the House back in Washington.  The same things seems to happen--partisanship wise--here in our state.  The difference here is that the extreme conservatives have hijacked the legislature and run away without truly representing the middle-of-the-road constituents. That part is most frustrating to me.  If we can't cooperate and respect each other, how will we ever get anything done?


The last thing I noticed more curiously with the extreme republicans was the higher likelihood they seem to have to be conspiracy theorists.  This week we held our junior high parent's meeting about the new Common Core standards in math and language arts beginning in the fall.  And leading up to this meeting, and throughout the meeting itself, certain parents--who've made their political bent and tendencies clearly evident--repeated made comments that this shift is being pushed, paid for, and required by the federal government.  Our principals, teachers, districts leaders, and even the State Office of Education have tried to make the facts clear.  This change--along with 46 or 47 other states--is happening from the states themselves.  And the states are allowing the local districts and event he schools themselves select the textbooks, coordinate the teaching within the schools' departments, and have all asked for parental input in that selection.  But still, these folks who are convinced it is a scheme from President Obama to brainwash our kids amaze me.  Do they really think he is that smart?!  Or that he cares that much?!

This whole week of wading into political realms had made me exhausted--I'm tired of defending my kids' schools and their teachers and principals to them.  I'm tired of the rhetoric of hate.  I'm tired of the arguing and fighting and attacking.  (Even within their own parties--those fighting to see who is MOST conservative!)

I need a nap.