[Looking at history and our area’s unique political and religious attitudes.]

What is the most dangerous profession? The statistics are amazing. What job has a one-in-five chance of severe injury or death? With the exception of John F. Kennedy, all presidential assassinations and attempts have been against Republicans. Since the first assassination of Republican Lincoln, the probability of assassination for Republican Presidents is more than one-in-three.

There have been numerous other planned or purported attempts, but were stopped before implemented.

That is an unbelievable, absolutely atrocious statistic. Distinguished Professor Emeritus James W. Clarke in American Assassins: The Darker Side of Politics, affirms that most attempts are politically motivated by sane people. The official government narrative contends it is not political perpetrated by insane individuals. Clarke is the foremost expert on political murders. Look at the statistics; it is clearly associated with politics. Nevertheless, I can argue that a person who would murder has serious mental problems.

Why would anyone be so disturbed with politics to kill another human being? In earlier articles we have addressed the root causes from a history, science, and religious position. Which comes first, religion or politics? One follows the other. Religion determines politics determines religion.

From natural law, it is well known that we are a physical body, with an emotional soul, controlled by a rational spirit. It is a feedback process with each affecting the other. The emotional and rational are in tension, which is usually near balanced.

Some are much more rational and logical because of education, training, and experience. Others are more emotional and feeling because of heritage and less structure. Even those of us engineers and scientists with a very strong rational bent, still can lose control to intense emotions. This typically comes in situations where we no longer have control of events. May I introduce you to politics?

A number of years ago, we had a client who had been a leader of the state senate, before being term-limited. He remarked one day, “You are exceptionally good at what you do, but you would have a difficult time in politics because you want to solve problems and fix things right.”

What was intended as a compliment was very insightful into the world of politics. Politics is the ‘art of the deal’ where no one gets every thing, but everyone gets something. The key is to make a win-win deal without losing integrity. Unfortunately, the more rational tend to make poor negotiators because they have the facts. Similarly, the more emotional make poor negotiators because it does not feel right.

Consider two on the opposite end of the political scene. Representative Dr. Ron Paul, father of Senator Dr. Rand Paul, was a very rational, intense conservative, but non-negotiating. Senator Bernie Sanders, who arguably has no technical skills is a very emotional, intense progressive, but non-negotiating. So neither could make much headway.

The challenge comes from both sides of the spectrum. The more emotional want to ‘feel’ while the more rational want to ‘follow the rules.’

How does that translate to religion? Note above, we referred to a rational spirit. My religious colleagues are not comfortable when we bring discussions into a science category. It is all natural law, just a different way of looking at the same data and same processes.

Spirit is a mental event. Yes there is an aura and exchange of information in a realm that we cannot measure well. Think of it like radio waves, which we do not detect with our senses, but the effect is there. Yes there is a ‘Great Spirit’ which encompasses everything and through which communications is possible.

Consider a contrast. Those who follow ‘personal responsibility for their actions’ in a religious context tend to be more conservative in their politics. Those that ‘do not take personal responsibility’ seek out government to provide and hence rule them. Our religion is inseparable from politics and from our propensity to rational thinking based on real data.

After the election, about half the people are not going to get their desire. The most effective solution is for you to get involved now for the next round. It starts in February, not two years from now. Run for office. School Board and City Council are critical positions, which are part-time. Even state representative and senate is part-time. Get involved in precinct, county, district, and state political party activity. This is just a few hours. Yes, we both have been involved in all levels. No one has experience when you start.

In the words of the late, great Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, “I don’t attack people – I attack ideas. And some very good people have some very bad ideas.”

Think about it. We live in a country designed for individual involvement. You are the difference. Know good ideas. Attack bad ideas.