Politics
My husband and one of his favorite cousins, Mike, love to talk politics. I mean love. I believe full heartedly, Mike could be president one day. Needless to say, their wives (Maria and I) also like a great debate. Now, Maria, I believe also loves politics. I, on the other hand, say I don't, but after last nights discussion, realized I enjoy politics and a great debate way more then I let on. Did I just say that?
I've always said I didn't give a rip about politics. I always voted, but never really looked at the issues, just went with whoever I thought would win or whoever people told me to vote for. Then, Aaron came along and with him, the extended family. I decided I'd better figure out real quick where I stood and why, or be eatin alive by the donkeys and elephants. Ok, so I don't quite know where I stand on all things, but I do know this...
*I could give a rip which party you represent. I want to know where you stand on the issues at hand, if you have integrity (which I wonder how that's possible in politics...I feel like there is always a dirty little secret...er that's what the media seems to portray anyway), and if you will stand firm on where you stand or if you'll let your party decide where you stand.
*I don't believe there are right and wrong answers in politics. Answer A may be the best answer, but it's not necessarily the right answer. Politics involves opinions and everyone has different opinions, so how can there be a right answer? Example, I believe life begins at conception. However, there are others who believe life begins at the first breath after birth. Is one belief/answer wrong and one right or are these just opinions? Of course, I'm going to vote for the candidate who stands for pro-life, it's my freedom to do so.
*I believe in the separation of church and state. Example, The Bible states marriage is for one man and one woman. I believe this to be true. However, I don't feel the government should hinder civil unions based on what my beliefs are. Of course, I'm going to vote for the candidate who stands for gay marriage, because reguardless of my belief, the people getting married aren't killing anyone and it's their freedom to do so.
*I am not a smoker (anymore). I appreciate the smoking ban when I visit a bar or bowling alley. However, I don't think the government should tell an owner of such establishments what their stance should be. I feel each owner of business should have their own say. Same goes for displaying nutritional information. I have found at this time, many establishments do not have the nutritional information readily available and it is my choice not to patron there anymore. Same goes for school lunches. If you, as a parent, don't like the choices given to your children at lunchtime, then pack their lunch and don't give them money to spend at school. It's simple. You don't need the government holding your hand when making decisions for you and your family. You make them. It's a freedom you are given!
*Government programs....I, being a recipient of welfare a time or two (Aaron's loss of jobs over the years has resulted in the need for Medical assistance and WIC for our family), am greatful for these programs. Do I feel they need to reevaluate who gets what, absolutely. Each time we received benefits, Aaron was diligently looking for another job. I think it's important for people to work. There is a sense of pride when you are contributing to society. From our experiences of sitting in the welfare office, there are people out there who abuse the system, which ruins it for a whole lot of others! And then there are the disabled or elderly, but to me that's a different demographic and needs to be treated as such. How do we fund these programs? That, I do not know.
*Taxes...increase/decrease? How do we create more revenue? What do we cut? On a state level, I have no clue. Some ideas...
~increase sales tax and add a clothing tax. I wouldn't mind paying a tax on clothes and contributing that way. That way, if you earn more, you tend to spend more and everyone seems to win.
~Charge fees (as they do) for extra curriculars in school. I'm ok if Jonathan and Allie can't participate because we can't afford it. They can still succeed without the extras.
At a federal level...
~Legalize marijuana. I know it kills and people end up in rehab and all that. However, the people that end up there will even if it's illegal. So legalize it, tax the heck out of it, and use the revenue to pay for some of these needed programs.
~Throw out Obamacare. Yes, people need health insurance, but why not find a way to make healthcare itself less expensive. Clearly, I haven't thought this one through, but I do know it needs to be looked at again.
There you have it. My views on some of the politics we discussed on Saturday evening.
And oh what fun to debate and chat about such things and still have a smile and a hug in the end.
I've always said I didn't give a rip about politics. I always voted, but never really looked at the issues, just went with whoever I thought would win or whoever people told me to vote for. Then, Aaron came along and with him, the extended family. I decided I'd better figure out real quick where I stood and why, or be eatin alive by the donkeys and elephants. Ok, so I don't quite know where I stand on all things, but I do know this...
*I could give a rip which party you represent. I want to know where you stand on the issues at hand, if you have integrity (which I wonder how that's possible in politics...I feel like there is always a dirty little secret...er that's what the media seems to portray anyway), and if you will stand firm on where you stand or if you'll let your party decide where you stand.
*I don't believe there are right and wrong answers in politics. Answer A may be the best answer, but it's not necessarily the right answer. Politics involves opinions and everyone has different opinions, so how can there be a right answer? Example, I believe life begins at conception. However, there are others who believe life begins at the first breath after birth. Is one belief/answer wrong and one right or are these just opinions? Of course, I'm going to vote for the candidate who stands for pro-life, it's my freedom to do so.
*I believe in the separation of church and state. Example, The Bible states marriage is for one man and one woman. I believe this to be true. However, I don't feel the government should hinder civil unions based on what my beliefs are. Of course, I'm going to vote for the candidate who stands for gay marriage, because reguardless of my belief, the people getting married aren't killing anyone and it's their freedom to do so.
*I am not a smoker (anymore). I appreciate the smoking ban when I visit a bar or bowling alley. However, I don't think the government should tell an owner of such establishments what their stance should be. I feel each owner of business should have their own say. Same goes for displaying nutritional information. I have found at this time, many establishments do not have the nutritional information readily available and it is my choice not to patron there anymore. Same goes for school lunches. If you, as a parent, don't like the choices given to your children at lunchtime, then pack their lunch and don't give them money to spend at school. It's simple. You don't need the government holding your hand when making decisions for you and your family. You make them. It's a freedom you are given!
*Government programs....I, being a recipient of welfare a time or two (Aaron's loss of jobs over the years has resulted in the need for Medical assistance and WIC for our family), am greatful for these programs. Do I feel they need to reevaluate who gets what, absolutely. Each time we received benefits, Aaron was diligently looking for another job. I think it's important for people to work. There is a sense of pride when you are contributing to society. From our experiences of sitting in the welfare office, there are people out there who abuse the system, which ruins it for a whole lot of others! And then there are the disabled or elderly, but to me that's a different demographic and needs to be treated as such. How do we fund these programs? That, I do not know.
*Taxes...increase/decrease? How do we create more revenue? What do we cut? On a state level, I have no clue. Some ideas...
~increase sales tax and add a clothing tax. I wouldn't mind paying a tax on clothes and contributing that way. That way, if you earn more, you tend to spend more and everyone seems to win.
~Charge fees (as they do) for extra curriculars in school. I'm ok if Jonathan and Allie can't participate because we can't afford it. They can still succeed without the extras.
At a federal level...
~Legalize marijuana. I know it kills and people end up in rehab and all that. However, the people that end up there will even if it's illegal. So legalize it, tax the heck out of it, and use the revenue to pay for some of these needed programs.
~Throw out Obamacare. Yes, people need health insurance, but why not find a way to make healthcare itself less expensive. Clearly, I haven't thought this one through, but I do know it needs to be looked at again.
There you have it. My views on some of the politics we discussed on Saturday evening.
And oh what fun to debate and chat about such things and still have a smile and a hug in the end.
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