Alright, the polls around here opened up 10 minutes ago, so get you're lazy butts out of bed and go vote.
I hope that every one of you who would read this will vote today, and I hope that you will vote for the Candidate whom you HONESTLY THINK will steer this crazy country in a BETTER direction.
So, lets hear it for democracy people. Get out there and show them what you think. And let's all hope that Americans across the country can be civilized enough to get through this day with out resorting to violence, I know that it is embedded into out DNA, but lets try to rise above today.
-Ward
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Getting to know you even better.
I called my grandmother this morning. We used to be really, really close. I would go and see her two or three times a week when we lived in the city and then at least once after we moved to the country and started the farm. OK, we don't have a farm but those of you city folk may think of countries that way. Then I got pregnant and I saw her less and less the bigger and bigger I got. Since the twins were born I may have seen her a dozen times. This makes me very sad.
So I called her this morning to see if she would like to come over tomorrow, I think that would be easier than the alternatives. She was delighted and in a talkative mood. Somehow or another we got on the topic of Campaign T-shirts. See here in Virginia you are not allowed to wear campaign t-shirts to the polls and will be sent away if you do. She said she couldn't wait until the election was over, I told her I concur. I would have left it at that but she went on to say that she is tired of all the negative comments and ads, especially those by "John". She said it like a grandmother, like she knew him personally and was disappointed in him. She told me that she thinks its sad that the campaigns use faults and harsh comments to sway the vote, that instead of focusing on thier own strengths they attack the shortcomings of their opponent.
I asked her is she was going to vote, she said probably not. I asked if she was registered, that I would take her to the polls if she needed me to. She told me that she wasn't registered to vote. That she has never registered, never voted. That made me sad on multiple fronts but one of those was that I should have asked prior to the 6th. It's too late now. She told me that she really disliked Palin, and didn't understand why she was choosen and then she apologized and said "I'm sorry, you're probably voting for McCain." This struck me as funny, that not only does my grandmother have no idea who I am voting for (or I her, I would have always pictured her as a McCain supporter, but I don't know why) but she apologized that she may have offended me. Where are these courtesies in the general election? Nonexistent? She went on to say, "I was always told not to talk politics and religion. No one wants to have conversations about that." This is why she may have thought I was voting for John, I'm not sure. But it's true we have never talked politics or religion, even though we are very close.
She said "May the best man win, who ever that may be" and we moved on to other topics like the state of the economy.
I wish that more conversation involving politics and religion could go that smoothly, that people didn't intrepret my beliefs and opinions to be a challenge to thier own. I wish that people were really as open minded as they claimed. I wish that people really wanted to come together and work on issues as a joint effort. I wish that I could go on and on about the election on my own blog without the fear of hurting someones feelings or turning them off. I wish it was the 7th of November already.
So I called her this morning to see if she would like to come over tomorrow, I think that would be easier than the alternatives. She was delighted and in a talkative mood. Somehow or another we got on the topic of Campaign T-shirts. See here in Virginia you are not allowed to wear campaign t-shirts to the polls and will be sent away if you do. She said she couldn't wait until the election was over, I told her I concur. I would have left it at that but she went on to say that she is tired of all the negative comments and ads, especially those by "John". She said it like a grandmother, like she knew him personally and was disappointed in him. She told me that she thinks its sad that the campaigns use faults and harsh comments to sway the vote, that instead of focusing on thier own strengths they attack the shortcomings of their opponent.
I asked her is she was going to vote, she said probably not. I asked if she was registered, that I would take her to the polls if she needed me to. She told me that she wasn't registered to vote. That she has never registered, never voted. That made me sad on multiple fronts but one of those was that I should have asked prior to the 6th. It's too late now. She told me that she really disliked Palin, and didn't understand why she was choosen and then she apologized and said "I'm sorry, you're probably voting for McCain." This struck me as funny, that not only does my grandmother have no idea who I am voting for (or I her, I would have always pictured her as a McCain supporter, but I don't know why) but she apologized that she may have offended me. Where are these courtesies in the general election? Nonexistent? She went on to say, "I was always told not to talk politics and religion. No one wants to have conversations about that." This is why she may have thought I was voting for John, I'm not sure. But it's true we have never talked politics or religion, even though we are very close.
She said "May the best man win, who ever that may be" and we moved on to other topics like the state of the economy.
I wish that more conversation involving politics and religion could go that smoothly, that people didn't intrepret my beliefs and opinions to be a challenge to thier own. I wish that people were really as open minded as they claimed. I wish that people really wanted to come together and work on issues as a joint effort. I wish that I could go on and on about the election on my own blog without the fear of hurting someones feelings or turning them off. I wish it was the 7th of November already.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Now I Can Make My Decision
I have now seen 67,932 McCain/Palin roadside signs and only 13,376 Obama/Biden signs, so it is now perfectly clear to me that the McCain/Palin ticket deserves my vote. I mean whoever's supporters are willing to deforest the largest area are clearly the most qualified for the job.
Perhaps I'm missing the point (which is not entirely unheard of for me), but I don't understand the need for so many political signs in people's yards. Is it to simply show their support for their candidate? Is it to try to convince me and other people driving by that I should vote for their candidate? I need help with this.
IF I support a candidate should I put up a sign? IF I'm passionate should I put up thirty signs? IF my neighbor puts up the opponent's sign do I have to top him? WHERE do I get my Undecided 2008 sign, or my Fed Up With This Crap sign?
Does anyone really decide who they're going to vote for because of these signs? And if so should that person really be allowed to vote? I mean if it's going to be decided like that lets just flip a coin and get this over with now.
At least these silly automated phone calls by the Republicans say something ( you know the ones: "Obama is a terrorist and he and his left-wing cohorts will eat your children if you don't vote for McCain.") . These signs just have a name or two on them. That's it. That's all you need to know. If you can't decide which is the right team to lead this country by reading their names over and over and over and over and over and over again on your way to work and home again then there isn't much hope for you.
I guess it's just that I'm disappointed in the American people. We have the chance, I mean the right, I mean the privilege to govern ourselves, and most of us don't bother to learn enough about the issues to make an educated decision.
One thing that is encouraging this year is the number of registered voters. Virginia, according to a recent poll, has just over 5 million registered voters (the highest number ever). According to census information (which only offers estimates since the last census was a few years ago) there are only 6.2 million people of voting age in this state. Lets see how many of us actually vote though and who we vote for.
I read somewhere that in the last election roughly 50% of Americans over 18 actually voted, but that almost 85% of registered voters actually voted. I'm not sure about those numbers, but why wouldn't 100% of registered voters vote? Why aren't more Americans registered to vote? Even if these numbers are off (which I don't doubt that they are) why do so many of us not even vote? Is it because some people, like me, feel that neither major party has anything new or good to offer this country? Is it because people are fed up with the negative campaign politics? When was the last time a candidate bothered to say anything good about him/herself? I guess if you don't have a good point to make about yourself you should take a shot at vilifying the other guy.
Sometimes I feel like I can't see the point of all of this anymore.
Sometimes I feel like it doesn't even matter.
Maybe we should just toss a coin.
-Ward
Perhaps I'm missing the point (which is not entirely unheard of for me), but I don't understand the need for so many political signs in people's yards. Is it to simply show their support for their candidate? Is it to try to convince me and other people driving by that I should vote for their candidate? I need help with this.
IF I support a candidate should I put up a sign? IF I'm passionate should I put up thirty signs? IF my neighbor puts up the opponent's sign do I have to top him? WHERE do I get my Undecided 2008 sign, or my Fed Up With This Crap sign?
Does anyone really decide who they're going to vote for because of these signs? And if so should that person really be allowed to vote? I mean if it's going to be decided like that lets just flip a coin and get this over with now.
At least these silly automated phone calls by the Republicans say something ( you know the ones: "Obama is a terrorist and he and his left-wing cohorts will eat your children if you don't vote for McCain.") . These signs just have a name or two on them. That's it. That's all you need to know. If you can't decide which is the right team to lead this country by reading their names over and over and over and over and over and over again on your way to work and home again then there isn't much hope for you.
I guess it's just that I'm disappointed in the American people. We have the chance, I mean the right, I mean the privilege to govern ourselves, and most of us don't bother to learn enough about the issues to make an educated decision.
One thing that is encouraging this year is the number of registered voters. Virginia, according to a recent poll, has just over 5 million registered voters (the highest number ever). According to census information (which only offers estimates since the last census was a few years ago) there are only 6.2 million people of voting age in this state. Lets see how many of us actually vote though and who we vote for.
I read somewhere that in the last election roughly 50% of Americans over 18 actually voted, but that almost 85% of registered voters actually voted. I'm not sure about those numbers, but why wouldn't 100% of registered voters vote? Why aren't more Americans registered to vote? Even if these numbers are off (which I don't doubt that they are) why do so many of us not even vote? Is it because some people, like me, feel that neither major party has anything new or good to offer this country? Is it because people are fed up with the negative campaign politics? When was the last time a candidate bothered to say anything good about him/herself? I guess if you don't have a good point to make about yourself you should take a shot at vilifying the other guy.
Sometimes I feel like I can't see the point of all of this anymore.
Sometimes I feel like it doesn't even matter.
Maybe we should just toss a coin.
-Ward
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I Guess It Could Be My Fault
Do you remember that election a few years ago? The one where the one guy almost won but didn't because the other guy won instead. Well, perhaps I could have done something about that. You see, I choose to vote Independently that year, or as my wife and sister call it; I threw my vote away.
By the way, if Nader were running this year I would vote for him again. In a heartbeat. This year I happen to not like the Green Party Ticket any better than the (D) or the (R). I guess that there is always the Libertarian Party.
Am I throwing my vote away? Perhaps that should be the topic of our next blog poll. I think not. I think that we, as Americans, deserve better than this crooked two party system which is bent on creating powerful politicians and ignoring the need for decent leadership. How can 'CHANGE' happen when our country is run by two power hungry political machines that are so entrenched in Washington that the only thing they worry about is the next election and earmark spending?
I did not throw my vote away. And I will not this year. What would you have me do? Vote for the Independently Minded Republican, who decides to tow the Party Line as soon as he is nominated, forgetting all of that nonsense of bipartisanism? Or should I vote for the Democratic Cult of Personality? The more I think about it the more I realize that all of the things that Obama says that I agree with are really just election banter. Nothing is going to change. Except which Party gets a turn to rape America for the next four years.
Obama is just like JFK (I know that I'm probably about to offend some people now), and I don't mean that in a good way. Looks good, sounds good, people love him, and he does whatever the Party tells him to. That is my problem with both major US political parties, they are like exclusive clubs where you have to follow their rules or leave.
If anyone out there can give me a good reason why our two party system is the best way to govern, and not a blight on the democratic process I would love to hear it. Why are independent candidates not invited to debates? Or even allowed on most ballots? Otherwise, I will continue to vote for a new status quo. My vote for Ralph Nader (or whoever it may be this year) is a vote of dissention. A vote of disappointment and disapproval for our current system.
Think about it. That's all that I ask.
By the way, if Nader were running this year I would vote for him again. In a heartbeat. This year I happen to not like the Green Party Ticket any better than the (D) or the (R). I guess that there is always the Libertarian Party.
Am I throwing my vote away? Perhaps that should be the topic of our next blog poll. I think not. I think that we, as Americans, deserve better than this crooked two party system which is bent on creating powerful politicians and ignoring the need for decent leadership. How can 'CHANGE' happen when our country is run by two power hungry political machines that are so entrenched in Washington that the only thing they worry about is the next election and earmark spending?
I did not throw my vote away. And I will not this year. What would you have me do? Vote for the Independently Minded Republican, who decides to tow the Party Line as soon as he is nominated, forgetting all of that nonsense of bipartisanism? Or should I vote for the Democratic Cult of Personality? The more I think about it the more I realize that all of the things that Obama says that I agree with are really just election banter. Nothing is going to change. Except which Party gets a turn to rape America for the next four years.
Obama is just like JFK (I know that I'm probably about to offend some people now), and I don't mean that in a good way. Looks good, sounds good, people love him, and he does whatever the Party tells him to. That is my problem with both major US political parties, they are like exclusive clubs where you have to follow their rules or leave.
If anyone out there can give me a good reason why our two party system is the best way to govern, and not a blight on the democratic process I would love to hear it. Why are independent candidates not invited to debates? Or even allowed on most ballots? Otherwise, I will continue to vote for a new status quo. My vote for Ralph Nader (or whoever it may be this year) is a vote of dissention. A vote of disappointment and disapproval for our current system.
Think about it. That's all that I ask.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I Am Not The Democrat My Dad Wants Me To Be
I am non partisan. I normally vote democrat, but not always.
I rather like Barack Obama. Not because he is a democrat but for other reasons.
I rather dislike Hillary Clinton. Not because she is a democrat but fot lots of reasons.
Recently, I was discussing the Democratic Nomination with my father and he told me that he can't stand it when people say that they are going to vote for McCain or go independent if Clinton gets her parties nomination. Those people are just stupid. The point is to get a democrat in office.
I have determined from our little conversation that I am just stupid and definitely not the democrat my father wants me to be.
-june
I rather like Barack Obama. Not because he is a democrat but for other reasons.
I rather dislike Hillary Clinton. Not because she is a democrat but fot lots of reasons.
Recently, I was discussing the Democratic Nomination with my father and he told me that he can't stand it when people say that they are going to vote for McCain or go independent if Clinton gets her parties nomination. Those people are just stupid. The point is to get a democrat in office.
I have determined from our little conversation that I am just stupid and definitely not the democrat my father wants me to be.
-june
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Maybe Hillary Wasn't Very Good At Math
This morning I read this.
Go ahead and read it too. Go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back.
I can understand why Clinton would want to keep fighting for the democratic nomination, I mean she has 'lent' herself quite a bit of money in her ernest attempt to secure her parties nomination and Barack has yet to offer her the Vice Presidency but when is enough going to be enough. Why can't she realize that she is trailing behind, more and more each primary and ultimately she is helping divide, not unite, her party by continuing to campaign. I could say the same about Obama but I like him and he is at least winning in the number of (not so super?) delegates so why should he be the one to back down.
I have heard others say (and think myself) that Obama is the more electable candidate and that if Clinton pinches the democratic nomination in some way there may be a good deal of people who vote for another candidate just as to not vote for her. The republicans seem to know it, they seem to think that Clinton is the way to go to sinch McCain's presidential nomination. I have heard lots of comments, ridiculous comments about Clinton being the first woman president and that being important. Supposedly a great deal of white women are behind her just to see a woman president. The same goes for African American support of Obama. Sometimes I wonder why they let citizens vote, I mean, you have a responsibility to vote for the person you think is going to do a good job or at least the candidate whom addresses the issues in the campaign period that you like them to, not the person whom resembles you the most.
At this point I think that Hillary Clinton is just being selfish and her unwillingness to drop out is becoming detrimental to the democratic party. I agree with McGovern that mathematically Obama has all but won and it IS time to unite and get ready for the election in the fall. McGovern's decision to back Obama despite his long relationship with the Clinton's would say to me if I was Hillary Clinton, you ran a good race, now gracefully back out while Obama still has a chance.
-june
Go ahead and read it too. Go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back.
I can understand why Clinton would want to keep fighting for the democratic nomination, I mean she has 'lent' herself quite a bit of money in her ernest attempt to secure her parties nomination and Barack has yet to offer her the Vice Presidency but when is enough going to be enough. Why can't she realize that she is trailing behind, more and more each primary and ultimately she is helping divide, not unite, her party by continuing to campaign. I could say the same about Obama but I like him and he is at least winning in the number of (not so super?) delegates so why should he be the one to back down.
I have heard others say (and think myself) that Obama is the more electable candidate and that if Clinton pinches the democratic nomination in some way there may be a good deal of people who vote for another candidate just as to not vote for her. The republicans seem to know it, they seem to think that Clinton is the way to go to sinch McCain's presidential nomination. I have heard lots of comments, ridiculous comments about Clinton being the first woman president and that being important. Supposedly a great deal of white women are behind her just to see a woman president. The same goes for African American support of Obama. Sometimes I wonder why they let citizens vote, I mean, you have a responsibility to vote for the person you think is going to do a good job or at least the candidate whom addresses the issues in the campaign period that you like them to, not the person whom resembles you the most.
At this point I think that Hillary Clinton is just being selfish and her unwillingness to drop out is becoming detrimental to the democratic party. I agree with McGovern that mathematically Obama has all but won and it IS time to unite and get ready for the election in the fall. McGovern's decision to back Obama despite his long relationship with the Clinton's would say to me if I was Hillary Clinton, you ran a good race, now gracefully back out while Obama still has a chance.
-june
Sunday, March 16, 2008
What did you do this weekend?
This weekend we accomplished many things.
As I am one who loves to make lists here's one.
1.On Friday I went to the bank to make a deposit and ran into 3 of our employees cashing their checks, and by cashing I mean taking the dough not making a deposit. One of the employees missed a day this week because his wife was out of town and their three-year old daughter was "kicking his butt", she wouldn't finish her breakfast or get dressed for school. The guy is a know it all, always telling you what you should do and illustrating how much more intelligent he is than whoever he is talking to. But he can't handle his own daughter. He loves to talk about how his daughter was potty trained by age two but I would guess that had very little to do with his involvement. Recently, he went on vacation for a week, snowboarding in Utah, without his wife or daughter. I imagine there is really only one active parent in that household and at age three his daughter probably thinks the same thing.
As I am one who loves to make lists here's one.
1.On Friday I went to the bank to make a deposit and ran into 3 of our employees cashing their checks, and by cashing I mean taking the dough not making a deposit. One of the employees missed a day this week because his wife was out of town and their three-year old daughter was "kicking his butt", she wouldn't finish her breakfast or get dressed for school. The guy is a know it all, always telling you what you should do and illustrating how much more intelligent he is than whoever he is talking to. But he can't handle his own daughter. He loves to talk about how his daughter was potty trained by age two but I would guess that had very little to do with his involvement. Recently, he went on vacation for a week, snowboarding in Utah, without his wife or daughter. I imagine there is really only one active parent in that household and at age three his daughter probably thinks the same thing.
2. I made cookies from questionable dough. The dough hasn't "expired" but it has sort of changed colors. This would never happen at my sister's house, they would never allow dough to reach the "best by" date. As a side note though I would like to add that I have been using my Kitchenaid Mixer to make homemade cookies. The questionable cookies were not bad though, if we get food poisoning I'll let you know.
3. Ward made dinner tonight. I know it's sad but I love tater tots. It's a wonder how two people who eat loads of cookies, frozen pizza, cherry coke and a whole lot else aren't bigger (we are headed in that direction though). You would think that as lovers of literature and history and science and knowledge in general, we would be more health conscience. I like naked juice for example, but is 16 oz. of that stuff at a time really that good for you?
4. We made a T.T.D.B.J.A.M.C.T.S. (Things To Do Before Jon and Misty Come This Summer) list today, basically it's a revised spring cleaning list with a later deadline. We started organizing the garage today and I wore this shirt. I thought it was funny when I bought it pre-election 2004, but then Kerry lost and I just felt stupid ever wearing it. Plus around here this shirt is like wearing a big anti-South shirt, you just don’t do it. I was a little embarrassed wearing it to clean the garage.
5. We've decided to add on to our house. By add on, I mean Ward is going to build a little deck onto the side of our garage for trash bins and pet water bowls. Of course this is on the same list as building the mega playground and those bookshelves, so it may be a while.
6. While organizing the game area in the basement, Ward found that old archaic camera of my dad's I was telling you about. My brother must have brought it over because I haven't seen it in some time. Someone hasn't been giving it much love though, the lens is dented and pretty badly scratched, poor old thing. Man I love that strap.
7. Ward started on the bookshelves, but only because he's anxious to get started on the playground, which seems to get larger by the hour. The bookshelves are higher up on the list than the playground (X-man's birthday is in a little over a month and the twins are only ten weeks old and can wait a little while for their massive pirate-ship-tower-crazy play yard).
8. We are looking for extra space to store all the playground equipment. The dining room looks like that space right now. We have decide though to move the office into the bonus area above the garage and make the now office a play room, another thing added to the very, very long list that is always growing, never shortening.
9. Ah, the battle over the dining room table is over. I won!
I felt really bad for Ward though because the battle was only just beginning, but he's OK, the playground has him pretty preoccupied. He also recently made the decision to re-work his novel into a trilogy (possible explanation for his recent absence on blogger?)
10. I made plans for Monday to go to the grocery store with my sister. We didn't get around to it this weekend and one person cannot attempt the grocery store with twins who can't yet sit and need to ride in a car seat. The car seats take up any space in the cart that would be available for groceries. We're having lunch at her house and then going to the grocery store. No La Carreta I'm afraid. Taking three under one to a mexican restaurant is just not as fun as it sounds.
11. We FINALLY took the coffee maker I bought eight months ago out of it's box and put it on the counter. Why? Because Grandpa is coming for Easter and has a tendency to spill coffee everywhere. I bought this carafe style coffee pot months ago but have just been a little intimidated by it's modern look to unpackage it. But with the twins here now and so little time I figure I need it so we won't be following behind Grandpa cleaning up spilt coffee.
12. I took, let's see, I think about 150 pictures this weekend as well. My oligomania would explain why there are so many pictures of what we did this weekend in this post. Every time someone turned around I had my camera ready. The lady at the bank gave me a very funny look when I snapped a picture of her ATM card. As a rule (for at least the next few weeks) prepare to see a lot of photos in posts, I just can't seem to help myself. Yesterday we went to Ritz and the lady there seems to know me, not because we're friends but because I am developing about 100 pictures a month there. I know you're proabably wondering why because they're digital. I am old fashioned I suppose, I want tangible shots in photo albums on my custom built (but not by Ethan Allen) bookshelves.
Next weekend, we plan on getting ABSOLUTELY NOTHING done because we're having family in.
-June
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Good Luck Today, Barack
I seriously hope that you win Ohio and Texas today as well as Vermont and Rhode Island. I am ready for a candidate to be chosen, enough with all the shenanigans.
I would have made those calls for you that you sent me the e-mail about, but I really am very busy with twins and (blogging) and the spring cleaning and all. I hope you understand.
-June
I would have made those calls for you that you sent me the e-mail about, but I really am very busy with twins and (blogging) and the spring cleaning and all. I hope you understand.
-June
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Join My Revolution!
As some of you may know I am strongly in favor of reforming the Two-Party-Political-Circus that passes for Government around here. I have never liked the idea of voting for a candidate based on what political party they represented, because (in my humble opinion) each party has at least as many major flaws as it does good points, and yes I think that they both have good points.
I have always leaned to the left on social issues, and until recently I never cared much about fiscal issues, but I tend to lean right there. For instance, I don't think that a big government is a good government. I don't think that our current welfare system does anything but encourage people to be lazy and avoid responsibility for their own actions. I also think that our tax system could be refined to encourage economic growth, so that the President doesn't have to send everyone a check for $300 dollars every four years (I know that does help get us all through the tough times).
I know, I know, I sound like a republican. Here's the catch, I don't think that I'm better than other people, or that my belief system needs to be shoved down other peoples' throats. I heard one of the Republican candidates talking about Family Values the other day and I thought to myself, "I agree that stronger family units would probably strengthen our society." BUT, the same candidate doesn't think that gay people should have the same rights to have a strong family unit that he thinks is so important. WHY? If anyone can give me a reason for this, for thinking that someone is somehow sub-human for choosing a different lifestyle, I would love to hear it.
There are a few other things also: I don't think that the government should have any say over Scientific Research, morality should be left up to individuals to decide, I'd bet that very few people dying of cancer feel that that is what god really wants for them. I don't think that we need to pay for a government to worry about our health care and retirement for us. Why not, instead of paying them, just save our own money for retirement and pay our own healthcare? I know, because that doesn't leave anything for the poor. There is always the possibility of getting a job.
But don't get me wrong, I'm no ordinary bleeding heart liberal either. I hate that we have prisons full of useless social parisites. First off, why do convicted murders, having exhausted all forms of appeal, die of old age costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars each? And the others, why not work them. There are millions of menial jobs that could be preformed by inmates. Prisons could make profits for their states. But wait, is it inhumane to make someone work for a living?
All I'm saying is that we should be able to easily see that we can clearly do better as a nation. If everyone took a little more interest in thier own well-being, and a little less interest in what their neighbors are doing, we could all get along better. I think that we should remember that we are RESPONSIBLE for not only ourselves, but for what this monstrosity of a government does. I think we need to step up people.
-Ward
I have always leaned to the left on social issues, and until recently I never cared much about fiscal issues, but I tend to lean right there. For instance, I don't think that a big government is a good government. I don't think that our current welfare system does anything but encourage people to be lazy and avoid responsibility for their own actions. I also think that our tax system could be refined to encourage economic growth, so that the President doesn't have to send everyone a check for $300 dollars every four years (I know that does help get us all through the tough times).
I know, I know, I sound like a republican. Here's the catch, I don't think that I'm better than other people, or that my belief system needs to be shoved down other peoples' throats. I heard one of the Republican candidates talking about Family Values the other day and I thought to myself, "I agree that stronger family units would probably strengthen our society." BUT, the same candidate doesn't think that gay people should have the same rights to have a strong family unit that he thinks is so important. WHY? If anyone can give me a reason for this, for thinking that someone is somehow sub-human for choosing a different lifestyle, I would love to hear it.
There are a few other things also: I don't think that the government should have any say over Scientific Research, morality should be left up to individuals to decide, I'd bet that very few people dying of cancer feel that that is what god really wants for them. I don't think that we need to pay for a government to worry about our health care and retirement for us. Why not, instead of paying them, just save our own money for retirement and pay our own healthcare? I know, because that doesn't leave anything for the poor. There is always the possibility of getting a job.
But don't get me wrong, I'm no ordinary bleeding heart liberal either. I hate that we have prisons full of useless social parisites. First off, why do convicted murders, having exhausted all forms of appeal, die of old age costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars each? And the others, why not work them. There are millions of menial jobs that could be preformed by inmates. Prisons could make profits for their states. But wait, is it inhumane to make someone work for a living?
All I'm saying is that we should be able to easily see that we can clearly do better as a nation. If everyone took a little more interest in thier own well-being, and a little less interest in what their neighbors are doing, we could all get along better. I think that we should remember that we are RESPONSIBLE for not only ourselves, but for what this monstrosity of a government does. I think we need to step up people.
-Ward
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