I feel like I must do this. (Suzanne - stop reading now. )
Jared knows this and somewhat understands. Although he doesn't agree with my choice.
Turns out I am very different from many of my friends. I have always known I felt this way, but never felt the need to announce it. I was born this way. I am proof it is nature over nurture. But the degree of my beliefs have varied over the years.
I'm nervous...
This is such a taboo subject Jared and I don't even discuss this much. I don't want to start a comment war. Please just accept me as I am.
Are you ready?
I am a democrat.
Most of my ACU friends and our couple friends are hard core republican. Luckily at work I have found some others to confide in with my political views. I have always had a "bleeding heart." I remember vividly going to Sea World when we were around 7 or 8. We were leaving the park and there was a man asking for food or money with a sign on the side of the road. I asked Dad for a couple dollars and he asked why and when I told him it was for the man he wouldn't give it to me. I am sure it felt like the worlds longest red light for my parents because I lost it! Crying and screaming that the man was hungry and we had left over food we could give him!!! I am a shopper and Love shopping, but Sugar raised me to donate clothes to goodwill when I was tired of them. The less fortunate need them. I know I have had a LUCKY life. I have never been rich but I have never gone hungry, dirty, homeless, uneducated without anything I need and most things that I wanted I got. I believe that some people are in need of more help/ breaks than others. I don't like seeing my little teacher pay check go down so much for taxes, but the government and the people need it to help them. Democrats typically give more money to education and as a teacher, I am in full support of that. I am pro choice and a Christian. I am against the death penalty. I am in support of the right to bear arms, but do believe there should be a screening process of some sort to keep the guns out of the hands of crazies.
health care:
I am against socialized healthcare. But the proposal will not get rid of private healthcare (what we have) it will just provide the government "insurance" that people who can't afford it need. Insurance it good and I am lucky to have it. What about kids who must suffer because their parents are working 2 or 3 menial jobs that don't provide insurance. They are not bums. They need help. I have extra, let me share. I had a professor in college who talked about the beggars on the side of the road and she said she "always gives them money. We don't know how he got there. It can't be what he dreamed of doing as a child." Help him if you can. I don't usually give people money on the side of the road because I get sacred if I don't have Jared with me.
President Obama:
Now that you know I am a Democrat, you either agree or have stopped reading... hahaha. I believe that as citizens of the united states we are allowed to criticize and question our leaders. On the other hand, I believe they must be treated with more respect that President Obama is currently receiving. I am SICKENED to read status updates on my facebooks and see all the "Obama is a Muslim" He isn't, but what if he was? Our country was founded on the basis of religious freedom. That he is a "socialist" because he wants to help poor people live? If you disagree Great! But don't belligerently spread things that are not true and don't bad mouth our President. We should not have to have parent permission to show the Presidential address to STUDENTS encouraging the to LEARN! Whats next, State of the Union addresses on Pay Per View? There is a difference in disagreeing and disrespecting. There is no need to stockpile water, food and guns on the change that President Obama destroys our country. Chill out. Fanatical thinking never ends well.
Respect our country. Respect our leaders. Question their decisions but be educated on the subjects of which you argue.
14 comments:
You don't know me but I'm close friends with Ashley Nelson. I also went to ACU and have an identical twin sister. :) I LOVE this post. I can't tell you how many unpublished drafts I have just like this one -- it's like you stole the thoughts right out of my head. Thank you SO much for "coming out!" I think it's great for conservative Christians to hear that you can be Christian AND have differnt political opinions.
If you align your views with the Bible - how can you be both liberal & Christian? They can't both be right - can they?
Would you have the same view if President Bush had been giving a speech about supporting the war in Iraq? Why shouldn't you have parental permission? Last I knew, how you raised your kids was still up to you. That is my right as a parent. My son is 6, my husband & I will not allow him to watch this - especially since my husband called the dept of education to request a transcript of the pre-written speech & they would not release it. Also, you should check out this "Pledge Allegiance to Barack Obama" video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwG5MhVGQ6k It's scary - even if you are an Obama supporter.
Where will the money come from to fund the government funded healthcare? Republicans are not stingy, just realistic. It's almost like children believing that if they ask Santa for something, they automatically get it....not unless the parents have the money for it. Well asking the government to provide healthcare to everyone with no way to pay for it is unrealistic. As a nation, we are already in debt TRILLIONS of dollars. And the intentions are to eliminate private healthcare...don't read the 9 page summary on the Obama website - check out the 1,000+ page document that has been presented for approval - the HR 3200 (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:)
How can you be for ending the life of a child? And not for ending the life of a criminal? It's a sad world when drug dealers serve more time than murderers & rapist. I am 100% pro-life. And I gladly say that I have my doubts about the death penalty...if I was the victim or God-forbid my children, I think I would want the punishment to fit the crime. Some people are just not sorry...& some will do it again if given the chance. Once again, states don't have the money to pay for them, so they wind up back in society long before their debt has been paid. Drug offenses, on the other hand, are federal crimes & thus, not eligible for early release (murders & rapes are crimes against the state).
I do not like our current President. And do not owe anyone an explanation. I respect the office of the president, but I do not respect the man currently holding that office. He's a shadow of a man. And his approval rating is reflective that more people are seeing him for what he really is...a socialist (research the real meaning). I will not hand over my freedom without a fight. Don't get your information for the Barack Obama website - it's very skewed. Research the web for an unbiased opinion. I promise you will be enlightened.
Not a comment war...just the perspective of a Conservative. Nice to hear both sides, right?
Look at you coming out of the closet....
I am impressed you have defined thoughts on these issues. As Amy knows too well, I am so stinking Moderate it is hard for me to know where I am on anything. I was literally undecided until election day.
Yay for giving your opinion. Good for Lacey for having opinions too.
I have opinions, but they are more about trivial issues.
I am of the opinion that I like you. I wish I could see you again. I wish we had a Broadway Youth group reunion. I also am 9 months pregnant so getting deeper than that is tough for me.
love you
Ok, one more...I just have to clarify that pro-choice is not the same as pro-abortion. I am BOTH pro-choice and anti-abortion. I wish with all of my being that abortion did not exist. I believe it is murder. I also believe that making it illegal will not make it stop. There are underlying social forces that contribute to unwanted pregnancy. Until we address those abortion will continue, legal or not. I consider myself a moderate independent because neither political party fully represents my opinions. I base my beliefs and opinions first on the Bible, second on 13 years of studying our society and its problems. I get my information from a wide variety of sources, people and experiences. I am not brainwashed. :)
I always knew... and I love you for it. I wish I knew what I was. I wish life and the issues were as simple as some people think they are. Good for you for forming your own opinions and having the nerve to share them!
I don't know you, but ever since I read your post yesterday I have been thinking about it, and I wanted to offer an alternate point of view. (Please know that this is said in the kindest tone possible...I know it's hard to convey in written word.)
I, too, feel like I live in excess and feel the urge to give. So, I give substantially to my church, numerous charities and individuals that I know who need a little something. It is certainly biblical to give...Acts 4:32, 2 Cor 2:9...I don't feel like I'm forced to give, I do it out of a love for God and fellow people. I don't miss a penny that I have ever given.
However, a government demanding the money and taking it from your paycheck is a whole different story. I don't think over-taxing creates a "cheerful heart" or a "giving spirit" in anyone. On the contrary, I think it makes people tighter, stingier and, honestly, angrier.
Basically, I don't think wanting to help those in need is a unique Democratic ideal that the Republicans don't also share. We just want you to be free to do it ourselves...you'll probably give more and help more if left to your own. Just like when gratuity is added to a bill at a restaurant, you don't want to give one more cent to the waiter, but left to your own, the waiter might have received an even bigger tip than the one demanded of you by automatically adding gratuity.
While it's true that Americans are wealthy, America is not (far from it) and she should not spend like she is.
Thank you for listening.
Isn't it interesting how ignorant some people can be!!?
Lacey- don't comment on my sisters blog anymore. Your words are not welcome here.
Lauren,
I'm sorry you feel that way. Obviously, I wasn't disrespectful with my comment...was it because it was conflicting? Seriously?! "My words are not welcome here"...WOW! That's harsh! Do you want people to be ugly to you because of your political views? Or tell you your words mean nothing?
You call me ignorant...have you read any official documents for the issues you support? Not the Obama "cliff notes", but the actual documents being presented for approval? Did you watch the Obama video that I linked in my last comment?
Instead of getting mad at me, it would be wise to know as much bi-partisan information as you can. That way when life as we know it changes, you won't have to say that you didn't see it coming. Communism looks great on paper...so does Socialism. But we live in a FREE nation - & we are to be governed by the people. We have the greatest Healthcare in the entire world. Does it need some improving? Sure - things can always get better! But it's already the BEST in the world!! Why else will people risk their lives swimming just to get here? It really is the land of opportunity! The constitution is NOT fundamentally flawed - Obama's words! I don't want the government taking away my rights to raise my children, worship my God, give to charities of my choosing, have private insurance...these are things both my grandfathers, countless family members & friends who have served or are currently serving to keep my freedom & YOURS. Don't take these liberties for granted. Get mad at me if you want, but I am not ignorant. I love this country. I am proud to be an American. And I do not like for people to insinuate because I am conservative, that I do not believe in giving or wish that everyone could have free healthcare. Oh, if you only knew me!! However, I will not support Socialism. Give me Liberty, or give me death!!
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government."
~both quotes by Thomas Jefferson
Delete this if you choose...or ask me to not comment anymore. But when you give your side...expect that others have theirs. Like I said before - not a comment war, just a Conservative perspective.
Everyone take a deep breath. Think of the end of "The American President". Paraphrased: true liberty is listening to your neighbor shout at the top of his lungs what you have spent a life time oppoising". Politics and religion are taboo topics because NO two people believe the EXACT same things and they feel passionatly that they are right. No one believes thier points are wrong or they wouldn't believe in them, right?
I appriciate opnions different than mine. And I appriciate educated debates. However this is not the forum for it. I did his post because I was tired of reading facebook status of snide anti Obama comments. I didn't think facebook was the place for my policital opnions. May I suggest you type your blog address in the comment box and type your own political views in more detail so we can call read the different perspectives? And please play pretty Lauren...
I would like to add that the ability to argue over political views is WONDERFUL. Many countries would kill us literally for this. This is why we involve our selves in wars overseas. To give this this ability to people in the middle east. And for the record as contradicting as it may be I am a Pres. Bush fan.
Please excuse typos. I am typing on my phone
Sorry maddie, it just upsets me when people comment on YOUR blog saying you can't be a Christian and a democrat. Did you know you can be a Christian and pro-choice!?! And like universal healthcare!!?! I know blasphemy!!!
But I agree praise the lord we have the religious and political freedom to express our own views.
I still think you shouldn't write rude things on strangers blogs.
Maddie, I just have to comment because I agree with you. I don't consider myself a Democrat OR Republican anymore...I vote based on the individual candidate. But I am pro-choice and I am a Christian. (And I really agree with Amy B's comment--although I would never choose abortion for myself, I don't think it's right to MAKE that choice for someone else.)
And I'm just amazed at the backlash to President Obama's speech to the schools. You absolutely don't have to agree with him, but the parents that are keeping their kids home that day are teaching disrespect for the office of the President (in my opinion). Past Presidents have given similar speeches to schools (not Socialist "propaganda" like some are shouting) and we watched them. The message is to emphasize the importance of education--Republican or Democrat, I would think that would be a message you would want your children to hear. And why not use it to spark a healthy conversation at home with your whole family??
But all that said, political opinion and choice is absolutely one of the privileges we have as Americans and people shouldn't shy away from it just because someone might not agree with them. Great post, Maddie.
And for the Record- I AM a Christian and I AM a democrat (liberal). You can be like my grandmother and her church that say "if you go to any church besides old school C of C and are anything BUT hard core conservative you are going to hell." I believe that perspectice is wrong and I believe I am a christian and a liberal. Just becuase you don't agree dosen't mean anything.
I just read Obamas speech. What an uplifting message to all children!
I know shock! No mention of roasting babies on spits or anything!
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