As an interactive agency, we manage many Facebook pages, so we must stay informed on a wide variety of issues. As an individual, I “like” certain pages because I am interested in specific services, products or issues. I am particularly passionate about politics. My party affiliation— while no secret—does not define me, but this is because I prefer to stay open-minded. For this reason, I subscribe to or “like” both Democratic and Republican Facebook Pages and, for that matter, Democratic and Republican people. It’s not that I straddle the political fence; I just like to see both sides of important issues.

This week I read a post written by a Democratic Senator in Alabama about an Elder Abuse Prevention Act that was removed from the calendar. Initially I was upset that the Act, which I considered to be important, was rejected after the good, hard work that went into getting it ready to present. My first impulse was to write a post in support of the Senator’s post, but I decided to review some of the GOP pages to get a better perspective. What I read was equally upsetting.

A bill was proposed and rejected to increase funding for domestic violence shelters. Filibustering was used to stall funding for the Kidney Foundation as well as to delay discussions regarding a bill for battered women. One Senator questioned aid for kids and another boldly stated he would simply “talk all night.” I’m not even sure why filibustering is allowed; to me, it seems a pure waste of everyone’s time.

For those of you that follow this blog and are not familiar with Alabama politics, here’s a quick history lesion: The Democrats were in control of the Senate for decades. (I apologize for the broad, undefined timeframe as I did not confirm the exact number of years.) Now the Republicans are in the majority, and it seems that “what’s good for the goose” is being played out on the Senate floor in Montgomery.

When we went to the polls, we voted for adults—hopefully smart, compassionate, and fair-minded adults. But let’s face it, shamefully childish games are being played out on the Senate floor. Acts and Bills related to many important issues are being drafted and introduced. While most of them have merit and whether they are introduced by Democratic Senators or Republican Senators, most are also asking for funding; and at the end of the day, as we should all know, it all boils down to money!

So, if proposed bills are good for the people AND we, as the people/government, can afford to fund them, then they should be seriously considered no matter who presents them. And if an Act or a Bill for a good cause is not approved, it may not be because it didn’t have merit or that the other side didn’t believe it in, but ultimately if may be that we cannot afford it at this time. So let me replace the political overtone of elderly abuse or battered women which are both equally good causes that should be supported, with an example everyone can relate: fruits & vegetables. If both fruits and vegetables are good for my children and I only have enough money for one—which do I choose? And if I choose veggies, is it right for anyone to promote that I choose not to feed my children fruit?