Writing About…the Things You’re Not Supposed to Write About
Wednesday, March 30th, 2016They say one should not discuss sex, religion or politics in polite society or blogs, but tonight, I’m going after one of the three.
Yes, politics. (Sorry if that leaves you disappointed that I’m not writing about the other two, albeit the other two are tangentially involved.) ‘Tis the season.
The post trigger: someone I grew up with asked me recently how or why I had “changed” my political views so dramatically since I was a kid.
First off, I didn’t know that I had changed my views. I’ve pretty much been the same way I’ve always viewed the world politically.
I’m a fiscal conservative, and social liberal (i.e. I’m pro-choice for women (with limits, of course), and I think that anyone who wants to marry another human should have that right, whether that’s same sex, different sex, or otherwise. While we’re at it, I don’t dig that single people are robbed of benefits reserved for married couples either.) In fact, I like it even more when the government stays out of my social business, overall. I’m therefore a fan of LIMITED federal government. You know, that kind of government that the Constitution calls for–LIMITED. Besides, don’t we have other issues that the federal government is supposed to be focused on (like national security), and state government with stuff like schools and crumbling infrastructure? I think the governments should focus on the issues they are supposed to, and leave the social stuff alone.
Now, as for a “label” on those beliefs…what am I? Does this make me a Reagan Republican? He said, “Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” I’m certainly not a tax and spend liberal. Nor am I a draconian conservative that likes to take rights away from others. If anything, I’m probably a Libertarian at this point–because per above, my favorite form of government is the limited kind.
I’ve noticed a lot of my friends over at the Faceplace want to try and stick labels on each other during this heated, tumultuous political season. And I’ll be the first one to admit that I’ve mixed it up myself on topics I feel passionate about over there thus far, and I probably will a time or two again before November (eh hem, HEA 1337…by the way, I’ll be voting against all those who voted for this insane bill, and here’s hoping ACLU wins the battle on this bill being unconstitutional. Here’s the list of votes, if you’re interested. Nuvo, if you’re reading this – keep your post up until November, please, I’ll need to refer back to it to know who to vote for…)
I’ll spare you any more details on my squabbles, but instead leave you with this: that whatever political ideals you identify with (or don’t), try not to waste your energy labeling others. Instead, channel the energy on getting educated and VOTING this season. Although I’m not really enamored with any of the political choices for the next election, I will go to the polls, hold my nose, and vote for the least vile candidates, as we all should do. (And ladies, that goes DOUBLE for us, since our sisters didn’t get the right to vote until 1920. Nineteen twenty! That’s mid-to-late-Downton Abbey!)
And, when I posted about the Women’s Campaign School at Yale online tonight (which, BTW, is bipartisan, or in my case, tripartisan), someone asked me when I was running for office. Answer: soon…and maybe even sooner if my rights keep on being taken away from me.
After all, it was Thomas Paine who said the following, “The duty of a true Patriot is to protect his country from its government.” May we all be patriotic this election season.
Amen, Thomas….AMEN!