Before you start reading my political posts, let me tell you a few facts about myself. I promise not to bore you with long, descriptive paragraphs about every inch of my life, just the key points. I'm a skinny, white, blonde girl, who grew up in a very blue state. I'm pretty, not a model, but pretty enough. I have my Bachelor's of Arts in English with a concentration in Writing and a minor in Political Science. I'm almost finished with my Masters of Public Administration. I'm a Republican.
When people first meet me, they already have this image of who I am. We all do it. We judge before we get to know people. I've struggled with being an intelligent blonde, and you bet I will be the first person to speak up when someone tells a blonde joke. Unless it's funny, because, well sometimes they just are. However, the judgment that bothers me the most is the reaction when I tell people that I'm a Republican. It's like I just killed their cat. So for those of you who think that you know my views simply because they generally align with the right, I have the following to say to you:
- I believe that the federal government is too large and has it's hand in too many pockets.
- I believe that national defense, homeland security and foreign policy are the most important issues of focus. North Korea, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan and those are just some of our most vocal opposition. We live in an era of nuclear war, and I think people are just so far removed from that notion that it doesn't scare them. It should.
- I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of privacy. I don't believe that it's necessarily a constitutional right, but there's a lot to say for the implication and wording of some of the Amendments. However, I do know that when it comes to whistleblowers, like Al Snowden and Bradley Manning, who put the country at risk, and basically give information to our enemies, that I'm not okay with.
- I believe in being fiscally conservative and while I, myself, have not mastered that, I believe the government should keep an eye on the damn budget. Raise the ceiling if necessary to avoid killing credit. Work across the aisle and get rid of the pork barrel appropriations that are added so that Representative So and So can get more electorate votes.
- I believe that health care should be privatized. However, this will be an entirely different post on Obamacare.
- I believe in same sex marriage. I believe that love shouldn't be dictated by gender. I'm not sure it's a federal issue, but I believe every state should be for it. Because who the heck is the government to say who you can marry?
- I believe in women's rights, but I'm not a feminist. I don't believe in the Equal Rights Amendment and don't think it should be reintroduced into legislation. I believe that I'm covered under the 14th Amendment and the Pay Equity Act and that it's a redundant law.
- I believe in a women's right to choose, but personally, I couldn't do it. But why should I tell someone else they can't? This is, of course, up until a certain gestational period and then it's just never okay.
I guess, the point of all this, is to say, don't be so quick to judge. Be better informed citizens. Don't assume anything of anybody, because you don't know what it's like to be them. The best thing about politics, is when you remove the emotion and have an intellectual conversation. Just because we don't believe in the same thing doesn't mean we can't learn from each other.
