I have not posted on this blog in awhile and I have something I feel I need to discuss. With the upcoming election and the circus that ensues, I feel I need to voice my thoughts on our political quagmire. Here it is: "Our political party system is F#&k#d UP, to say it bluntly!!"
I was raised a staunch democrat, believing JFK was the savior and that with a lot of help from everyone, we will all be ok. Then I started to think on some of these Democratic ideals and after some heavy thought I felt I was more of a Republican so I became one.
From the age of roughly 18 to 31 I was a Republican. I voted for Bush in both Elections. I was a firm believer in many of the Republican ideals, but then I started to truly think on my own. I stopped listening to everyone else's opinions and thoughts and decided to look at what activated, intrigued and motivated me, as an American. So, I got out a piece of paper and drew a line down the middle and wrote at the top of the left column, Democrat, and at the top of the right column, Republican. Then I though some more and added a new line at the bottom labeled: Neither
So I started to think about the issues, the issues that truly are the issues and see where I fell. First was the big "A." Abortion. Where do I stand on this? I stand for a woman's right to choose. I believe a woman has the right to govern her own body. I also believe she will deal with the consequences, but ultimately it is "HER CHOICE." Ok, so that is a check in the Dem column.
Next, Taxes. I don't like them and think we are over taxed. Weren't we found on the principle of being over taxed so that's why we turned the Boston Harbor into a huge tea kettle. Check in the Republican column.
Now there's health care. Universal health care is a joke, just ask any Canadian or British Citizen what they think of it and they will tell you that it sucks. People die over there waiting to be treated that we can get with a snap of the fingers here. The problem isn't the health care system, it is the whole damn machine. Insurance companies, lawyers, malpractice, hospitals, doctors, politicians, lawmakers... they are all in on this great big fuck up we call a health care system. NONE of it works well, but ours works better than most. I have talked extensively to doctors on this and they are afraid of this whole issue, that it is a state sponsored handcuff to their practice. So where do I fall... off the page it seems. Neither party has the right issue because to many people have their hands in the "cookie jar." Check to the "Neither" column.
Stem Cells. Yes.. wait... I mean HELL YES. If we can cure cancer or
other diseases from stem cell research then yes. Check for the Dem's.
Religion. I don't use it, I believe in it, but don't use it. I believe in higher powers, but I don't believe I need to go to a "house of worship" to believe. I also don't believe religion should be any part of the election process... Separate church and state, right? I would have to put a check in the Dem's column on this one.
Gay marriage. GO FOR IT!!!! Do you love one another? Will you love each other and keep the vows that you give to one another? Yes to both..good! Check for the Dem's.
Gun ownership. It is our right to own them and have them. That's what the founders wanted and I am cool with that. I guess that is a check for the Republicans.
Drilling for oil on our soil. Dude, seriously, if you don't think we should drill on our soil for our own fuel and also build new refineries that are up to date and cleaner, then please ride a bike from now on. We use gas, and we won't change that anytime soon, unfortunately. Let's talk real about this... big oil plays BOTH sides of the fence people. They give money to environmentalists to keep us from drilling so they can import oil AND they still keep Detroit's pockets fat on the flip side. The only one's losing here is US. So, drill in ANWR... IT IS IN A VERY DESOLATE PLACE IN ALASKA THAT WILL NOT HURT A SINGLE ANIMAL. Ok, you ready for this one... get ready.... We do more damage to the ocean and environment SHIPPING AND IMPORTING oil from overseas than we ever could by drilling a hole in the ground in Alaska. Stop and think about that! Think about how many tankers float across the ocean delivering millions of barrels of oil every year. Think about what they leave in the water with diesel residue, human waste and trash. And you are worried about a small area in Alaska that is tiny, contained, and no one would ever live there because it is cold, and I mean teeth chattering, frost bitten cold. Check for the Republicans.
The war. So much to say, but people have chosen their sides and will never see it for what it is. I see both sides clearly and have to say... we are both right and we are both wrong. Check for the "Neither".
Welfare. People need it and I believe that people should get it. BUT, people abuse the system and those people should not have the right. There needs to be a better checks and balances system to it so that people that get "my money" that I contribute, need it. I use to work for Bank South years ago and we were the local bank that issued welfare checks. I use to cash checks to people in Lexus' and BMW's and also to a woman who had 3 kids and not a dime to her name. Some people need it and I believe in that, others don't. I think we need a better system. Check for the Republicans.
Civil Rights. Those are our rights and everyone should have them. Over the years many people have used civil rights to their political gain. People forget that the Republicans were the ones that passed the Civil Rights Act and that the Republicans were the ones who ended segregation. But over the years, the Democats have spun it that the Republicans hate blacks, hispanics, and poor people. The Republicans were not KKK members in the south that wanted segregation. Come on people, let's not forget the president who ended slavery was a .... wait for it... a REPUBLICAN. I wish more people would get their history and facts straight before being manipulated into what decision they make. Stop and do some research. And just for your information... Republicans don't hate black people! They also don't hate Mexicans, Hispanics or poor people. I am not trying to bash Democrats here or make Republicans look better, I am trying to give facts. Civil Rights are needed and we need to protect them. But we also need to be more educated on the history of those rights when we are making decisions on them. Check for Neither.
Capitalism. YES!! If you can make money here and make a lot of it, then so be it. You did it, you made it work, and it is your risk. Make your money and make as much of it as you can. Check for the Republicans.
Drugs. Legalize pot and regulate the rest. It will get better and then we can make money off of it. If we control it, then we won't be importing it illegally. Also, once it is legal, the stigma on it will go away, just like the whole prohibition thing years ago. Here is history showing us that it will all work out. Check for the Democrats.
Education. Every child deserves an education and our current system is piss poor. There are so many bad things going on in our education system, that it would take 20 years to fix. BUT WE CAN FIX IT. Both sides have great ideas, we just need to get more money for teachers and HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE so that they teach and have passion about teaching. They need more money and we need to give them better supplies and things to work with. How is India, some say a 3rd world country, able to absolutely hammer us in education!! HAMMER US!!! Check for the "Neither".
School Prayer. Not in government run schools. Enough said. Check for the Dem's.
Environmentalists. These people are the left wing version of right wing religious zealots. Everyone has their bad side and this is the Dem's. I think we need to recycle, a lot. I think we need to do a better job with trash and keeping things clean. I think we need to do a better job with water conservation and protecting land. I DON'T believe the earth is melting and I think this whole global warming thing is a joke... BUT if it gets someone to recycle more or not get plastic bags at their supermarket, then so be it. Check for the "Neither".
Death Penalty. If proven by jury and DNA testing... Yes. Eye for an Eye works for me. And also, if you molest children, you should get it too. Check for the Republicans.
Homeland Security. We need it and we need more of it. Let's secure our borders and every port and make this place impenetrable. Check for the Republicans.
Immigration. We were founded on people coming to America for a better life. I am ALL FOR having people come here and live. We just need a better way to figure it out. Making everyone a citizen is not the right way to do it. Locking down the borders is not the right way to do it. Check for the "Neither".
Don't Ask Don't Tell. Stupid law. If you are gay and want to fight for this country then do it. For you to be criticized is an abomination. Check for the Dem's.
So... I have addressed 20 different issues across the board and here are my total...
Democrats: 7 checks
Republicans: 7 checks
Neither: 6 checks
Back to my original question... "Where do I fit in?"
I guess I am going to have to be.... to be... well.... ummm... I am going to be an American. I am not going to choose a political party anymore. I am an AMERICAN and will vote based on the issues. I can only hope that one person reads this from any political party and it makes them at least weigh their options and opinions on the issues and not because it is "cool to be a democrat" or "I have always been a Republican, so I always will be." And I hope and pray that someone does not vote FOR or AGAINST someone based on the color of their skin. BOTH are very bad and unproductive. Vote the issues people!! Vote where you stand, not what you are told to vote for.
An American wrote this....
Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama,