*To start this off, I feel the need to have a disclaimer. Most of our articles are based on information; however, this will be based on personal experience and opinion. If you don’t agree with what I say, I won’t be offended. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, and this is just mine.

On a recent trip to the nation’s capitol, I saw some amazing historical sites. I also noticed an abundance of security checks, and signs in the museums. But most of all, I noticed a blatant disregard for what these signs asked.

Apparently, “Please Do Not Take Pictures of The Bibles” (at the Library of Congress), only applies to certain people. Of Course, it didn’t apply to a few people in our group. (She writes sarcastically) Now this lack of respect for rules didn’t just manifest itself once. All over the city, there wasn’t much respect for a few simple rules. Don’t eat on the Metro? Oh well, I’m hungry. Put your phones and cameras through the security belt to save time?I’ll just make the people behind me wait longer while I go through the metal detector a second time.

This seems to be a problem in the United States. We all believe that the rules are in place for the rest of the populace. In our own minds, the rules don’t apply to us, because when we do things, it’s o.k. Sure, some violations don’t affect the safety or function of the country, but they do show a lack of respect for authority. Why do we even need laws if they won’t be followed? How can we expect the leaders of the nation to follow the basic rules set in both the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, if we fail to follow such simple rules as not eating on the Metro?

Now, I’m not saying we place our freedom in the hands of politicians. I’m not saying to not go against laws that interfere with our personal values and beliefs. However, I am saying that we need to respect authority, and the work that IS being done to further this great country.

This leads to another “Political Pet Peeve” of mine: when citizens don’t respect the office of President. Being President of the United States is not an easy job! We don’t have to love the man or woman who is the president, we don’t even have to agree with everything they do, but it is our responsibility to respect the effort they put into their job. We don’t need to scoff at their every move. None of us is perfect, as shown with the example of disregard for posted signs, so we cannot expect perfection out of anyone else!