It's Time to Grow Up, Folks!

"I can't believe you're talking to them!"

"They did it, now it's our turn!"

"You can't win unless you're on our side!"

I hear these words all too often and no, I haven't been in Jr. High School for two decades. I'm in politics.

I feel like someone punched me in the stomach when I hear reasonably intelligent people from all walks of life spout out these crazy statements acting as if they're anything but grown kids playing in a box of sand while throwing it at each other.

This has got to stop if we are to save ourselves (from ourselves).

We see liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats and everyone in between spewing the seething scare tactics of "Us vs. Them" in the hopes that people will just agree with them. Like that will really work. And if somehow they did agree with you, would things really be that much better?

We can't begin to tackle on life's challenges of starting a business, keeping a job, raising a family, managing our debt, keeping our health, maintaining a clean environment and paying the taxes we do (without true representation, by the way), if we just continue to belittle those we call "enemy" when said enemy is our neighbor - our brother, our sister.

We have got to realize that we are being divided and conquered and until it stops with you and me, it never will. That's right, you and me (not them, or him or her or...). We keep looking outside ourselves and pointing the finger like a petulant teenager when the solution is typically within ourselves. Not always, but most of the time.

Want better health care? Try Diet & Exercise.
Want a better income and better job security? Try working for yourself.
Want a better environment? Try walking, biking and carpooling (the first two could probably help the health care a bit, too).
Want less debt? Try spending less than you make and saving for the things you want.
Want a better education? Try reading more and watching less TV.
Want a better lifestyle? Try taking responsibility for everything that happens to you and stop making excuses.

It's not your parents' fault or society's...you are in control. And isn't that empowering?

As a college & financial planner, I help my clients' kids get into college and I help them retire. I use the education I've earned and the skills I've developed to make a better life for them and hence, for me. I volunteer. I work out and play tennis on a regular basis. I watch what I eat. I go out and have fun once in a while. I keep close contact with friends and family and I read to better my life. I don't always follow the rules I've made for myself but when I fall down, I pick myself back up. In short, I'm a leader. Won't you be too?


It's time to grow up, folks. There's not much time for anything else.



Marc Delphine
Candidate, US Senate
www.marcforsenate.com