With this November’s presidential election drawing closer, and the recent changes of the players at the national level, I’m thinking about the values these candidates carry. With individuals seeking office at every level – county elections, state representatives, Congressional seats, and of course, the presidential election – I want to vote for someone who will reflect my values.
Values defined: A person’s principles or standards of behavior; one’s judgment of what is important in life. Values provide goals or ends for the citizens to seek. Values provide for stabilities and uniformities in group interaction. They hold society together because they are shared.
Right now, our values do not seem to be shared. Positions quickly become polarized into Right or Left, Republican or Democract. There seems to be an unwillingness by our leaders to LISTEN, communicate, and seek compromise.
In my reflection about my learned values, I know I gained them from my parents and later in life, teachers.
At probably age 4 I really liked clove chewing gum. I was with my mother at then one of Rippey’s three grocery stores, and there were all sorts of chewing gum flavors displayed, including clove. I took a package.
When we got to the car I opened a stick, and boy, was my mom on me. That was stealing! We went back into Mrs Senter’s grocery store, and with chagrin I had to tell her I had taken the gum. My mom paid for it, but it was a LESSON.
My first grade teacher, Miss Wilson, was very stern and also a strong disciplinarian. She struck some of my classmates with a ruler on their hands and ears if they were not behaving. She stood at the water fountain following recess to make certain there was no crowding in line, or “hogging” the water. We quietly and patiently stood in line. There was a large, framed document above the fountain, providing the GOLDEN RULE, “Do unto others and you would do unto yourself.” I read that phrase every time waiting for my turn. It remains a vivid and thoughtful memory that I try to implement every day.
The internet provides such an array of information. It is almost humorous that explicit numbers that are provided regarding values:
Six behavioral values: Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Community, Trust, and Integrity.
Five core values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.
Three best values: Family, Honesty, and Respect.
Family provides a sense of belonging and security.
My dad was a numbers whiz, something I wish I had inherited. Long before automated change providers, he frequently would say to the cashier, “I don’t think that is the correct change.” The money handler usually puffed up indignantly, but my father always gently corrected the person and the miscounted funds were returned.
Finally, one last family value story. My father and uncle farmed with horses until the late 1940s. Animals were important as the livelihood of farming depended on healthy and well cared for animals. Animals were respected. A very long time ago, my father and I were in the car, and across the street a man was beating a dog with a stick. My dad jumped out of the car, and yelled, “If you beat that dog once more, I am going to come and beat you with the same stick.”
The unknown person stopped and got back into his car with the dog. My dad and I drove on, but it was and is a lasting impression about standing up for values.
So, as I conclude, ask the campaigning politicians about their values. Let them know your values. Before November 5, 2024, determine if they will represent your values. Then vote.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is written by Mary Weaver from her rural home near Rippey.
