I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this topic for some time and it’s been extremely difficult for me to write and even harder to share. Over time, I’ve found it more and more difficult to connect with people whose political views lean more liberal than mine, and it’s something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about.
My beliefs were developed from the path my life has taken. I spent my adult years in service to the nation—first in the Air Force, where I saw the realities of conflict in Southeast Asia and the importance of standing firm against threats to stability, and later supporting missions tied to NATO in Europe. I also had the responsibility of helping to train future officers to carry those values forward at the USAF Academy. Following my retirement from the military, my time with Customs and Border Protection brought a different kind of intensity. Decisions weren’t theoretical, they had real, immediate consequences, and there was constant pressure to stay sharp and aware of what was at stake.
Those experiences shaped how I see duty, responsibility, and what it takes to protect this country; it’s who I am. Because of that, when I hear viewpoints that seem to downplay or even shatter those same systems and principles, it can be difficult for me not to feel a massive disconnect. It’s not just a simple difference of opinion—it often feels like we’re working from entirely different notions of what the country needs and what it will require to preserve it.
At the same time, I know someone’s personal perspectives don’t come from nowhere. Every person’s views are shaped by their own experiences, just as my values have been shaped through my own personal life journey. But even with that understanding, the gap still feels wide, and not always easy, or even possible, to bridge.
I truly feel the left’s ideas and actions are hurting the nation, and are definitely contrary to my personal beliefs. It seems that the Democrat party in the United States has become Marxist, although I doubt the American left would ever admit to that.
Let me say, I’m completely open to listening and having a conversation, but it’s starting to take more effort to find common ground when our starting points are so far apart from personal core values. It’s just how I feel.
Being About The Journey 