I have a confession to make. I remember the first time I voted: The 2004 Presidential Elections. I did not vote at my first opportunity, the 2000 Elections, because I was still an apathetic teen who didn’t think it mattered. In 2004, though, I took to the polls. And based on what I knew at the time, I voted for George W. Bush.
Now, most people would automatically assume that I am a Democrat because of my job (non-profit/social services), my attitudes (I support Gay Marriage Rights and the Right to Choose), and my support for democratic candidates in the past. I still think that I am an Independent--I vote on the issues and candidates, not the party lines--but according to the State of Illinois, I am Republican. I favor more liberal social policies, but still believe in fiscal conservatism and small government. Some would argue that you cannot be both, but I that is why there is such a phrase as “Moderate.” Since marrying a very conservative Republican, I will admit that my views have started to lean a little more to the right, but I think I am just more confident now in my long-held views because I have become more educated on the issues, and have a better grasp of politics and policies now. I still refuse to wear a label, though; I do not want to be pinned into a corner or have others judge me because of an “R” or a “D” on my voter registration card. Which I am sure some people who read this blog are doing right now. OMG, she is a nasty REPUBLICAN now……….
Elections seem to bring out the worst in people. I’ve seen several Facebook comments today that say things like “**** Republicans” or “Democrats are stupid and wrong” or other combinations like that. I dislike these attitudes, because those who make them are assuming that they are absolutely 100% correct on how to fix the country. And I don’t believe it is as simple as that. I don’t think one party or the other has the right versions of “Fixing America for Dummies.”
What I believe is this: I believe that that some government programs for the poor and indigent are good, but that welfare has created an over-dependency on government programs. I believe that if everyone who could afford to donate to a social service agency or cause would, then many programs would not have to rely on government funding that is contingent on the whims of the current power-party. I believe we are taxed enough, and that somewhere along the way the government lost control of itself and lost the ability to be financially responsible stewards of our money. I believe spending is absolutely out of control, and that all of Congress needs to take a Budgeting 101 course. I have some reservations about pension systems, because I think they have been improperly managed and their debt is only going to cause worse problems in the future--and a tax increase is not going to suddenly fix the education problem. And I am not 100% sure on the health care issue; from what I have heard, it makes me uneasy and seems like another program that is going to be costing future generations even MORE in taxes.
I also believe that anyone has the right to marriage—no matter what, end of story. I mean, just think of all the extra fees the government could collect from the marriage license applications! I also believe in a woman’s right to choose. I do not personally support abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the mother’s life, but I believe in the right to that choice. I also believe that there are a lot of parents out there, my parents-in-law included, who are waiting to adopt any child whose mother cannot take care of them. And I believe that illegal immigration is a huge problem, but that there is a way to secure our borders without vilifying and attacking those trying to make a better life for themselves.
So there you have it. I rarely agree with one candidate on all their issue positions, but I work hard to find candidates whose views most closely resemble my own. It’s the best I can do. And I vote because it is the only chance I have to make my views count. They may not be the same as my friends and neighbors, but they are my views. They may not even be right or fully informed, but they are my views. I think that everyone has a right to their own voices. I am also a little afraid to post this, because political clashes in this country are at an all time high, and I do not want to start a commenting war where people go back and forth, accusing this side of that and that side of this. I do not want to invite the ugly side of politics into my blog. You won’t likely see overtly political statements from me again—although I do have some topics in mind on politics in general—but to commemorate today, I thought I’d lay these things out there. So go ahead and label me "Republican", if it makes you feel better. I know where I stand, and that's better than not knowing where to sit. I don’t know everything, and I do not have all the answers, but this is how I feel, and that is why I vote.
