Dissimilar Synonyms from which Our Nation Must Choose

Look beyond the hype, the talking heads, and social media. See the choice facing our republic and our future. Will we choose to be governed, as we have been for 246 years, or will we succumb to the growing angry buzz and choose to be ruled?

Govern or rule? They are often listed as synonyms. Yet, in the world facing us, they are nowhere near synonymous. Let's explore.

To Rule: To control, direct, or influence; especially by curbing or restraining dissent, often harshly or arbitrarily and without consultation or consent of the population ruled.

Examples of countries being ruled: Thailand (Military dictatorship), Cuba (Communist State), Russia (Oligarchy), Venezuela (Dictatorship), Iran (Theocracy), Bhutan (Absolute Monarchy), North Korea (Dictatorship)

To Govern: to administer without possessing sovereign power and usually without having the authority to determine basic policy, subject to the will and guidance of other governing bodies acting at the will of, and with the permission of, the people governed.

Examples of countries being governed: United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Iceland, South Korea

What will we choose? For me, this is not a hard choice to make.

But, to our nation and the millions of individuals who are part of it, black, white, yellow, red, brown, straight, gay, or unsure, Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Mormon, Quaker, Dunkard, Amish, Evangelical, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Shinto, Buddhist, Deist, agnostic, and atheist, Republican, Democrat, Independent, liberal, conservative and all the other diversities that make the U.S. a special welcoming place for all, it may just be the most important choice we've faced in 246 years.

Please don't let someone else tell you what your choice should be. Consider it long and hard. Look at the short-term and long-term effects on you, your neighbors, those with whom you agree and those with whom you do not. We all live together in this great nation. Let's keep it that way.