Don't let the facts get in the way.
This is something I received from a liberal friend who lives in LA...he seems to think that this girl is right in everything she says. I told him she wasn't a Republican, and never has been, she has all the lib talking points and that no Republican would ever state her nonsense..Just the fact that she mentions "HOPE" tells me who her candidate is. This makes me sick, and I'm composing a reply to my friend, any and all help is welcomed.
Thank you for your open-minded request for opinions. Certainly, both you and your brother are far more versed on both the historical facts and the opinions of your long-held conservative postures...I have been a democrat, I have been a republican and recently I have changed my party affiliation. I find less importance towards voicing my displeasure with our candidates that I do towards achieving my desire to remain hopeful as I anticipate my future. I am very tired of arguments...I have grown weary with the partisanship that began in the 60's and has now polarized our nation towards a near paralytic state.
You see, I wore beads - but they matched the outfit...I smoked marijuana - but didn't find the thrill or mind-alteringinsight, merely the laughter...and I supported Ross Perot - until he chose his running mate. I found, then, that I could no longer justify a choice for the possible (succeeding) commander-in-chief being an addled old man who forgot lines in the debate...I will not now be deceived by non-blinking confidence supported by inaccurate facts...I listen, I question and I consider the possibility of succession. I hope we will seek out facts and not follow the shiny object of distraction.
I have supported our current president because this is a democracy and "we" collectively chose him (not without debate)...I did not demonstrate, I did not snipe and I did not berate his choices. I did question his intentions and motivation...and analyzed how I felt about his leadership during the two terms he served our country. I continue tohope "we" will support the next national choice.
I have long been liberal on personal issues - a person's right to choose: opinions, lifestyle, healthcare and punishment suited for the crime and conservative on national security and global issues. I hope we will continue to question our choices, refine our decisions and accept comment from our trusted friends.
Now, I feel, it is time to think of our nation's place in the world...we have lost much respect with our allies, we seem to allow religious viewpoints and self-righteous ego to affect our governments choices, we seem to make decisions based on less humanitarian choices than those supported by greed...and fear. The global economy is fragile and the dominance of our once-strong financial system is faltering...we awaken daily to the disruption and the "adjustments" that are being made.
I understand if you choose to support the current administration, and their possible successors, based on monetary issues, fear or concurrence with their opinions...just say that. The issues should be presented and defended...I disrespect twisting the voice of a man, grounded in honesty, honor and hope, to bolster your self-esteem and righteousness. Anyone who chisels away at someone's character, experience and integrity to elevate their own...has a very weak foundation from which they are dealing...thou dost protest too much! To snipe at community service as former mayor Giuliani did at the convention, and receive applause for his sarcasm, minimizes the integrity of the America in which I grew up...I will continue to support small causes, community service and selfless volunteering. I hope we all will.
On congressional and gubernatorial records, I feel certain pundits can argue a tit for a tat (oh, oh, don't take that as a sexist comment!) but my vote is based on hope...the possibility that the position of the United States of America will once again become united...my vote will not be based on race, gender, fear or greed...but my need to believe that it can be better...I can be better...we, as a nation, can be better. We have failed in our pursuit of happiness (depression must surely be at an all time record-breaking high, crime escalates and gangs have replaced families as support to our youth), we no longer hold our founding truths to be self-evident (evidence is interpretive and the NRA, ACLU, and clever attorneys bend those rights at their convenience) and I hope we will make every attempt to change the current course of our approach to living...
I do not believe for a minute that drilling off our shores will lower my cost at the gas pump, but I do believe we should take our bike to the store as long as we're able, suggest sharing the ride and living closer to our employment...I do believe we need to change. I believe we should listen to Boone Pickens - consider alternative sources: wind, natural gas, renewable fuels, nuclear energy, etc. I believe that if we don't - we should pay more for the privilege of our sloth. We are fat, pampered, spoiled and lazy...I hope we change!
I don't mind higher corporate taxes and, those who can better afford it, the very wealthy, should pay more, commensurate with their privilege. My personal taxes will, in all likelihood, remain pretty much the same...many of my friends will pay more...I, honestly, don't mind! It has taken me most of this year to date, to shelter the money to fund my IRA and hopefully by year's end, I will have the allowed amount - almost a year to save $5500. I feel fortunate, proud and very disciplined to have been able to do that. As far as investments, you've got to be kidding! I have so few friends that are debt-free that the concept of investment is as foreign to them as ... well, you get the gist.
Were my healthcare not paid for by my employer, I would not have been able to save the money I did. As it is, I have been forced to choose alternate healthcare providers when the ones I saw opted out of the plan that I have - I simply cannot afford to pay the extreme cost of healthcare to non participating providers and I'm healthy. How is this complete choice in healthcare? My employer pays about $7000/annually for my coverage (with a $2000 deductible and generic prescriptions only)! I do think, and hope, we will have significant healthcare reform in the next administration. Why should my cost of drugs be so much higher than the same pill in another country? I don't need their commercials, I don't need to hear of the long road to approval...I've been in the health industry long enough to recognize when something is just not right about the system!
I think the individual states can well determine the rights they will afford those who want to marry someone, even if it is of the same sex - their challenge is great enough without inflicting the difficulty of not being able to have the same rights as heterosexuals. Please, what difference does it make to you? You can love who you want - allow the same respect to others. I think our government should regulate less and counsel more by the example they set - not discourage our trust by their back-biting, infidelity, deceit and greed. I hope we find alternative solutions to those we currently find to be unsuccessful.
On the topic of sex education...we should be ashamed. If your 17 year old daughter were pregnant and marrying a young man whose self description was, "I'm a f--kin' redneck who likes to snowboard and ride dirt bikes. But I live to play hockey. I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some s--t and just f--kin' chillin' I guess. Ya f--k with me I'll kick ass." Children: "I don't want kids.", would you be proud? Do women really think Sarah Palin is "just like me"? Do our women have so little regard for themselves that they would encourage their daughter to marry this boy? If she wants to have the child, be mature enough to remain healthy and allow a family to adopt the child. Just like them? Please...Mrs. Palin certainly should not be proud of her guidance or the resolution of this issue. Perhaps her concept of abstinence should be re-visited and she should enroll in sex ed classes - there are many other alternatives besides abortion!
I hope when you close the curtain in the voting booth or sit quietly in your home ready to make your choice, you will understand the value of that right...and the opportunity to make us all proud, once again, to be an American. This vote, is our unique privilege...our passions should be saved for the bedroom and our appetite whetted by the sweet wine we enjoy - not the bitterness of our distrust and doubt.
We have an opportunity to, once again, be productive as a nation...to evolve through a less partisan posture...vote well and seriously...read more than the Journal or the Times, listen to more than FOX or MSNBC...really listen with an open mind...search your soul and your conscience and decide the importance of your loyalty to your opinions...and vote accordingly...I hope you will be happy with your choice, laugh with your friends and enjoy the feeling of being responsible.
Regardless of the outcome, I hope you will support the administration "we" choose...after all, united we stand and divided we will surely fall. I'm no longer ashamed to state my opinions and listen to yours...feel free to share this (without my e-mail address) with others who may be undecided or trying to better understand how their vote will be counted. |
