I write about a lot of things, but one thing I will never write about is politics. I treat politics like a chicken fried steak with gravy. I enjoy it, but too much of it is bad for my health. Your vote is no business of mine.

Oftentimes you hear that politics brings out the worst in people. If you look at today’s political climate, then that is close to the truth. The reason I stopped watching TV six years ago (outside of college football) is because I became fed up with all the hate being tossed back and forth between the two major political parties.

I was sitting on my couch one evening yelling at a talking head on the TV when I finally figured out that I could just turn it off. I decided at that moment to stop allowing the opinions of others to clog up my mind and stir my emotions. I am a grown man, so maybe I should act like one. That nonsense is no longer a part of my life.

I started walking instead of watching TV, and both my dog Cash and I lost weight.

Fast forward six years, and the vitriol has only gotten worse with no end in sight. We can all see what is coming this November. I don’t know who will win, but either way it’s going to get ugly and that is a shame. I honestly do not see anyone who can truly “unite” this country.

But that is okay, differences of opinions create ideas and solutions, as long they don’t turn hateful. Just because some others disagree with you does not mean they are the anti-Christ. It appears the mantra today is to go “straight to hate.”

Nothing flourishes when motivated by hate.

We have had horrific events that have united America in spirit for a short while, but after the smoke clears, the finger pointing and blame game take center stage again. It’s a cycle, and a vicious one at that.

The Government is not going to help you get in better physical shape, save your marriage, restore a relationship, or make you a better parent. That is up to the individual regardless of political affiliation, and not the Government’s fault.

I voted for Ronald Reagan for President in my first election. Since then, I have voted for Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and even a write-in ballot for a dog named Butch.

“There is among you the man who is not bound by party lines. You vote according to your common sense and your claim to judgement after hearing each party set forth its program. To you I say the strength of this independent thought is the great contribution of the American political system”

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

I have learned not to assume that others who “look like me” are going to “think like me.” Just because you live in the same neighborhood or serve the same God does to mean you think alike. We all have a story that shapes our lives and how we decide to vote in an election. Your story is equally as important to you as mine is to me. Maybe you’re wrong, but then again, maybe I’m wrong. Hopefully we can be adults about it and agree to disagree without calling each other names like two children on a school playground.

The one thing we should all agree on is to vote. I am sure you have heard the saying that bad politicians are voted in every year by thousands of people who choose not to vote.

Do I care for whom you vote for? Sure, I do because I want to win. But if my candidate loses, then I will accept and respect that the outcome was what the people wanted. I can do this because that is how America should work. Plus, my happiness in life has nothing to do with any elected official.

I probably won’t vote for anything this fall, but I will vote against a few things.

The dog named Butch lost if you are wondering.

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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].