If you don’t want me, set me free
Exactly whom I’m supposed to be
Don’t you know which clothes even fit me?
The Clash 1981
Heading into the upcoming presidential election, I have a
moral dilemma. This is one that I'm guessing a lot of people have before
elections. Do you vote for the candidate that is better for you personally, or
better for the country? In a perfect world the two are the same, but we don't
live in a perfect world.
This time, it's about money. With Obama as president, it is
ridiculously easy to make money on your investments. (I won't bore you with the
details, but regular readers know what I'm talking about). This does not mean
that you can’t make money with Romney in office, it's just that you have to do
a little more homework. Actually a lot more. The problem is, overall Obama's
economic policies are disastrous for the country. We're tipping back into
recession (I actually think we're already there); if you think the last 4 years
were bad, my friend, you ain't seen nothing yet.
So what would you do if you were in this type of situation?
I first think what I would do if my profession were at stake. I make money
representing injured workers. Let's say God woke me up one night and said that
within 24 hours, if I voted yes, there would be no more workplace accidents in
America. The catch is, of course, that within 24 hours I would be out of
business. To me, this is an easy one. I've seen firsthand the devastation that
physical pain can have on people and their families. I would vote to end the
accidents in a heartbeat; I don't think I or anyone I know could live with
themselves if they chose the opposite. Similarly, I would assume that all
oncologists would quickly vote to immediately end all cancer if they could.
But yet, my gut tells me that when it comes to voting for
the country’s financial well-being versus mine, I would choose mine. I'm not
exactly sure why; I struggle to find the difference between this and the
workplace example. Maybe I can hide behind the fact that I'm just one vote that
realistically won't make any difference. Maybe if I had the only vote it would
be different. Or maybe it's the fact that while I love America, I love me and
my family more.
Whatever it is, I started thinking about it, and at least
for me it's a tough decision. I would guess that this type of choice has to
regularly be made by a lot of people in the workplace. Although in this
particular example it won't make a bit of difference as to who is ultimately
elected, I think it goes to the core of a person’s heart; are you someone whose
interests lie primarily with yourself and those close to you, or with the
greater good?
Have a good night everyone.
JR
