Small-mindedness is defined in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as:  “stubborn or intolerant adherence to one’s opinions or prejudices.’  The synonyms include:  dogmatism, illiberalism, illiberality, illiberalness, intolerance, intolerantness, narrow-mindedness, opinionatedness, partisanship, and sectarianism.  

Some of those almost seem to be created words to make a list, but the definition is worthy of note, especially in view of today’s ‘political climate’ and ‘posturing.’    In my view, most politicians are SMALL-MINDED while claiming to be OPEN-MINDED and PRAGMATIC. 

When I am forced to listen to them, I almost treat their speeches as a comedic performance.  I have to restrain myself because often others are drinking in the rhetoric like it was a miracle elixir that will cure all the world’s ills.   Of course, some would say that my view is ‘small-minded,’ and that doesn’t bother me because I am not so locked into my personal view that I cannot hear valid, factual, logical arguments to dispute it. 

• When I hear the continual ‘race-baiting’ that is coming from the Left, I immediately think of Small Mindedness.   
• When I hear the arguments supporting ‘higher taxes and punishing the rich,’ I think of Small-Mindedness. 
• When I hear all the ‘supposed wars’ on various groups that the Republicans and Conservatives are purportedly waging, I think of Small-Mindedness. 

On that last one, it is not only the ‘small-mindedness’ of those spinning the spin and telling the lies, but those hearing and believing them.

Small-mindedness has produced a culture of ‘political correctness’ and ‘faux tolerance’ to the point that it is almost deemed criminal to have a counter opinion to the left.  That is doubly true if you voice it publicly.   The privilege and ability to actually think seems to be a commodity that is rapidly diminishing in our society and one that the ruling class is evidently bent on destroying or making so unacceptable that people cease to engage in it. 

I am sorry, but that does not fit me, so I guess I will be outside the spectrum of acceptability of the Thought Police.  Some of the Left insist that my view is not patriotic.   Oh well, I was never one to just swim with the crowd or fly with the flock if it meant checking my brain at the door or the pool.

Small-mindedness has produced many atrocious laws and restrictions on the American people.  It is astounding that so few see the dangerous path we are headed down.   To vote for an individual ‘solely’ based on their ethnicity is Small-Minded in a most profound way.   To vote for an individual ‘solely’ based on a political party is often Small-Minded as well. 

While it seems that we cannot avoid them, political parties have been the bane of Free People and will continue to be so.  Many of our Founding Fathers wanted to avoid political parties.  They would have preferred that the candidates be judged based on their personal ideals, ideologies, and agendas rather than a political party.  

It is Small-Minded for an elected official to ‘toe the line’ of partisanship without regard to what is best for their constituents, what is constitutional, and in the best interest of America and the American people.

I have had some Progressives, Liberals, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians accuse me of being Small-Minded because of my desire to see a Conservative Constitutional Republic restored.   Each of those groups has its own ideological agenda.   Most of them find it almost impossible to deviate from them one iota. 

If we go back to the definition of ‘small-mindedness,’ I’d have to ask, who is being Small-Minded?   I will let you decide that.   I am fully cognizant that I just ticked off some people, and my friend list will shrink again, but that’s okay.   I can handle rejection and treasure everyone’s right to choose for themselves, including who their friends are on Facebook.   lol…

I am tired of the Small-Mindedness that is prevalent and masquerading as Open-Mindedness and Tolerance.   Truthfully, it is nothing short of the antithesis of Freedom.   It is counter to Freedom of Thought, Speech, or Belief.   

I am tired of voting for a political party, even though that seems to be the only viable option today.  I am disgusted with the reality that a politician, once elected, frequently seems to flip a switch and ‘toe the party line’regardless of what they promised during their campaign. 

For that reason, I am unable to vote for a Democrat.  Tragically, many of them, even those who profess to believe and support many things that I do and those who are conservative and believe in the Constitution, become party soldier loyalists.  When push comes to shove, they ‘vote party line’ almost without fail, epitomizing Small-Mindedness.

Okay, enough of my rant; what do we do?   I wish I could answer that in a few sentences, but I cannot.   Maybe I am not articulate enough or do not understand the problem enough.  Still, it seems to be a broad and complicated issue that has taken decades to reach the current state and will likely take significant time to reverse if we can.  

What do we do?  We must refuse to be ‘small-minded’ ourselves.   We must demand that our elected officials move past ‘small-mindedness.’  We must vet our candidates extensively and exhaustively as best we can.  We must adopt a policy of not only voting against those who turn their backs on their campaign promises.  We must work to see them defeated and replaced by someone who will honor their words, the Constitution, the rule of law, and the wishes of the American people (their constituents).

Can we achieve this?  I honestly do not know, but my approach will be to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness’ and cry out to God for this nation, our elected officials, and the American people.  I will also work diligently to dispense as much information as possible about candidates, policies, ideologies, and actions in Washington and State.  I will pray, work, give, and Vote!

God bless America, and God bless you!