Today, I had the opportunity to read a person’s tome about the process she has taken in developing her political views and how that has defined her politically. It’s interesting to see the level of importance some put as to what label they would like to give themselves. Whether it be liberal, conservative, progressive, or moderate, some in society put too much emphasis on each.
As we have even seen on this blog, THSquare has been labeled a Socialist Democrat, so now I’m even a poly-political based pundit. Even with the offensive diatribes from the less than polite, it does make one want to look at what has bought him or her to where they are intellectually and politically. The young lady I mentioned gave a thorough explanation of her journey to her political leanings and came to some very interesting conclusions. I plan, in a subsequent post, to tell my readers of my journey to my ideological axis, but, now, I would like to hear how members of the “Talks” community made that journey and what shaped their thought patterns and behavior, so have at it. I am sure we will get a wide variety and excellent insights into how we make this thing called democracy work.
Can a simple comment on Facebook make you rethink what you feel you have always stood for? I had that question answered for me today.
I had posted something that read, “There are three things we should not discuss on FB. Politics, religion, and our hometown pizza.” The first two are givens, the third, you would have had to grown up in the Ohio Valley to grasp.
Whenever one of my ‘conservative’ classmates posts a link or poses a political question, 99% of the time, I take the opposite viewpoint. Whenever someone in my life poses a political or moral question, 99% of the time, I voice the opposite.
Does that mean I am the democrat I have always thought I am???
It was brought to my attention by a wise and know ledged former classmate, that I ‘preach a conservative tone’. Hmmmmm….that makes me think and scratch my head in wonder. Am I a ‘closet case’?
Before you hardcore Dems flood my email, although it is very hard for you to look at things from another point of view (UH-OH….maybe Johnny G was right), open your liberal thinking and absorb what I am about to say. I have strong beliefs on most subjects. While I fully think that people make mistakes and should not pay for them, in some cases, for the rest of their lives; there are certain instances that someone should go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200. There is no reform for child molesters, child abusers, rapists, child porn collectors, etc. (There is a theme there) Those folks should be locked up doing hard labor and subjected to what they themselves subjected others. (Not very democratic of me, eh?) Other violent crimes, such as murder and armed robbery ….I am on the more liberal side. Some murder is justified at the time. (They will be judged later) and some robbery is not justified, BUT, conceivable.
I believe in the death penalty for those that are guilty without a shadow of a doubt. In fact, in some cases, I think every state should have the express lane to the electric chair, just like Texas. I do not believe in the death penalty for battered spouses (please note that I did not refer to one sex or the other) that one-day just snap. I do not believe in the death penalty for armed robbery that is not for monetary gain, but for humanitarian needs gain. I do not believe in the death penalty for a person that messes up 1 time…however big it may be. (Unless they have hurt a child…then they still shouldn’t get the death penalty, but life long torture. Ooohh…maybe the CIA is hiring) I believe in Pro-Choice, which does not mean I am Pro-Abortion. (In case you were curious, this issue was the deciding factor in my recent Presidential vote) I believe in freedom of speech, which does not mean that we should ‘talk smack’ in a way that belittles our country. I believe the haves should pay proportionately more than the have-nots. Just like the haves can purchase a better quality of steak….you get my meaning. It does not mean I believe that you shouldn’t have to work for what you have. I believe in a welfare system. That does not mean I believe that we should continue to pay for those too unwilling to work and to keep rewarding those that pop out children like PEZ. I believe in freedom of choice and privacy; that does not mean I believe those in the welfare system shouldn’t have to pass drug, background, and employment screening. I am anti-war, which does not mean I am anti-military. Okay okay okay, you see where I am going with this.
Another hotbed of controversy that exists even within my own family is homosexuality. To be blunt, I couldn’t care less what two consenting adults do in their personal lives. (Blast away Catholics…lest I remind you of the ongoing shame of pedophile Priests) I have a blood aunt that has been with her life partner for 30+ years. There has been absolutely no spousal abuse, no cheating, no mental abuse, etc within their relationship – EVER. So, am I to believe that they are going to burn in hell for all eternity? I absolutely refuse to accept that. A loving relationship is an inspiration…no matter the sex of the partners. Should gays be allowed to marry?? I say, why the hell not??? I have been allowed to ‘unmarry’ someone that was not all I thought or wanted to be. I know people that are on their 5th or 6th marriages and no one blinks an eye ….except maybe the Social Security department. Homosexuals adopting….I am all for it. I have the math on my side in that argument. AND I QUOTE “Adoptive parents, rather gay or ‘straight’ have 92% less chance of being thought or accused of neglect and/or abuse”. So, put that in your conservative pipe and smoke it.
So, you may or may not see my dilemma. Perhaps I am not a Democrat after all; perhaps I am not a Republican. I think maybe I like the label of “Annie [Nanny, in my case] ‘rides the fence’ Oakley”.
But then again….I don’t believe everyone should be labeled………