Thinking for yourself

As of late I have been thinking a lot about this and I guess this is the best way to express my thoughts. In today's society I believe that a lot of people have lost the ability to think for one's self. I have noticed that quite often people will listen to the news and hear an item that is expressed by a newscaster with a name and people will take that for the gospel. They do not take the time to get all sides of a story. They do not have all the facts to make an intelligent decision on the subject. This is especially true today when the local news stations will report a story but do not report all the facts. Today in this society people are quick to join in something for a cause but have not stopped to get all the information before joining in the cause. If people would take a little time to stop and think I believe they would make a more informed decision.
Another area that bothers me is people's view of the political arena. I know that no matter whom is in office there will be the people that do not like what is going on. However that individual was elected by the people and should be supported until they are voted out of office. Just because someone belongs to a party (Democrat or Republican) they should not be put down or not supported because they belong to a party that you do not support. This I see happening today in the political arena. While it may be true that I do not support all the decisions that have been made today in the political arena I must support the elected official of whichever party he/she is associated with. After all it is very easy to criticize someone on the job that they are doing but I do not see the people doing all the talking out trying to do the job. One of the biggest pet peeves that I have is hearing people complain about whomever is in office but they did not bother going out to vote. If the individual does not vote they deserve what or whom they get and should not complain about the job that is being done. So if you are one of those that did not vote I would appreciate it if you did not complain to the people that voted. After all the people that voted had a say in whom was elected and they have to put up with what is going on.
I guess I have been on my soapbox long enough. I will close today but will take up another subject at a later date.