I am a political conservative, and I’m not ashamed of that fact. Just as I wouldn’t expect a liberal to be ashamed either.

I am pro-life.

I don’t agree with Obamacare, but I would like to think there is a solution to the health care crisis in this great country, and I’ll be the first person to say I don’t know what that solution is.

I support our right to bear arms. That being said, I don’t see a necessity for high powered or military rifles in the hands of every day people without some sort of invasive background checks.

Those are a few of my basic beliefs. I know many won’t agree, and that’s okay. But you see, that’s where things have gone wrong.

I was raised by parents who watched the evening news every night during dinner. They kept up on all current events, and I learned from their example. I was never forced to carry on their political beliefs, and I’m sure they don’t agree with all of my opinions.

And that’s okay.

I have many friends both in person and on social media who see things much differently than I do.

And that’s okay.

That’s the point, because while having a different opinion is okay with me, it is not okay with everyone.

There is no such things as true tolerance.

For that reason, I didn’t watch the state of the union. I’m tired of politics on both sides of the aisle.

I am ashamed of the behavior I see out of our elected officials, some of whom I voted for.

It has become acceptable to throw people under the bus for mistakes made as stupid college students, and most every individual is guilty before proven innocent. I am quite sure that most of us are MUCH different people than we were in our late teens and early twenties.

I know I am, thank goodness.

Don’t get me wrong….sexual assault is NOT okay at any time. Racism is NOT okay at any time.

But what happened to old fashioned grace, forgiveness, and understanding?

While a black-face costume worn to a Halloween party in 1970 may seem offensive to us now, it certainly was not intended that way at the time. And if you are one who finds it offensive, then teach someone why and I would hope they would have the heart to listen and understand those feelings.

But we’ve lost all that.

Most people want is to take a bigger stand and make a bigger statement and smear it in the face of their opposition.

Winning is the goal, plain and simple. And when we lose, we don’t know how to handle it.

Something has to change.