...To be a lefty if you're LDS.
My blog has just been accused of not exactly being "liberal" - or, at least, not exactly portraying a very liberal point of view. Instead, at least one person expressed that most, if not all, what I have written has conservative undertones to it. I knew this would come up, especially after my post yesterday that dealt with my take on the economic crisis.
I don't claim to be some raging lib. Really. I lean that way, but yes I do have some conservative viewpoints as well. That's the wonderment that is being a "decline to state."
But for anyone who is curious, here's the cliffs notes version of a few things I believe:
- While I don't know much about the bailout plan and its ramifications, I have this sneaking suspicion that it was a horrible idea. I'm really not sure who's fault this is or who really wanted it to pass or not, and I don't care. The idea of it sucks, but I also realize that sometimes we have to suck it up and sacrifice when we screw up. And I think we all screwed up.
- I don't think the government should be sticking its nose into private lives unless reason states it will severely harm those around us. Gay marriage will not hurt us, for example. I haven't heard one decent argument yet to say it will.
- I believe in regulation for a few - not many - industries.
- This crap about the trickle down theory? Make the rich richer and those of us on the bottom rungs will get some of it too? I don't buy it. I also don't think it's perfect the other way around, either. Just don't punish my family because my husband is a teacher. We'll never make enough to be considered "rich" - but our contribution to society is far greater than, say, the CEO of ExxonMobil's contribution. Just not in a good little Capitalist way.
- I am pro-choice. This does not mean I think we should all be getting abortions, but I believe there are potential situations in women's (AND MEN'S - family, here) lives where it should be an option. This should not be a decision to come to lightly, but it should be an option in the case of rape, incest, or potential fatal harm to the mother (no, I don't believe every mom should feel she has to give up her life in order to save her unborn child's if she has other children at home). I mean, can you imagine growing up and discovering your daddy is your uncle? Or that you were the product of a horrible, violent rape? Imagine how that would shape your life. I'm not saying this is a definite "yes" in the abortion category, but it is certainly food for thought.
And the poor mom, too. Damn.
- I want universal health care. Note I did not say "socialized" health care. Are we really so plagued with tunnel vision to insist its one way or the other?
I might get into this later. If I try to now, I'll go off on a horrible tangent.
- I'm voting for Barack Obama. Sarah Palin scares the crap out of me and John McCain has lost my respect over the past few years (particularly when he gave into Bush on the torture bill).
- I think border control is fine and dandy but will hardly solve the problem. People, put yourselves into the illegal immigrant's shoes for a moment. Life in Mexico sucks, and America has a reputation of hope and opportunity. If you needed to take care of your family and you couldn't, you'd sneak across border lines too. The right thing to do here is to invest in Mexico, help make it a better place so people won't want to come here in droves under cloak of night. Border control can then take care of the real criminals: the smugglers and any terrorists, for example.
There's just a slice of my pie.
I hope that helps things out a bit.
20 Years of FMH
2 months ago
5 comments:
why are you voting for Barack?
You're not the first person to ask, and I totally intend to write about that ASAP.
:)
Thanks for stopping by.
Barak, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, please don't take offense but those issues, Barak aside, are all against the churches stance. The church has gotten involved in the prop 8 fight, why are you going against that? I'm just curious because you aren't the only person i.e. member of the church who is apathetic about this issue. I mean saying that it won't hurt us, or they deserve the same rights. Thanks Lisa, I honestly don't mean to offend, I just don't really understand that veiw point and I feel comfortable asking you. By the way, you absolutely have a gift for writing!!!
Wow - for some reason I *really* didn't expect you to stop by, Heather, but I'm really glad you did. Thank you!
I'm going to try to respond to each of your concerns as best I can:
Prop 8: I am against it. Mind you, I haven't voted yet, but I am against it. The only viable argument I've heard is "because the Prophet said so," but you have to understand I (and I venture, many others) are having a crisis of conscience. To avoid excessive repetition, I'll invite you to read my entry from Saturday. In short, though, my gut has always told me that this is a benign issue. This is the same gut that told me various parts of the gospel are undeniably true.
Again, though, go read my previous entry. You'll learn more of the conclusions I've come to there.
Pro-Choice: Technically, the church is pro-choice, too, if you think about it. Pro-life stances generally mean that the procedure should never be OK. Listen to Sarah Palin if you want a glimpse into a true pro-lifer.
However, even the leaders of the church have said that it may be an option in the case of rape or incest, etc., but only after much prayer and meditation.
I wouldn't for one moment want to assume I know what a woman who has gone through such atrocities should do in such a situation. It's horrific, and the consequences with either decision would certainly be dire. It would be a "best of the worse" kind of decision, but it's beyond me to think someone should be able to say "Sorry, sucks for you."
Barack: I plan on writing up an entry either today or tomorrow about my reasoning here. But let me say this much: his background, his history with regards to his time in Chicago is Christ-like in a much more fundamental way than I've seen John McCain or any other politician yet show.
Think about it. If you don't know much about it, I invite you to visit www.barackobama.com and read his story. It's pretty cool.
(had to delete my last comment b/c I had a major typo :P)
Thanks Lisa, I appreciate your reply. I think I understand a little more now. I know a lot of people are having that same dilema but there is safety in following the prophet, of that I'm certain even though that course may be contrary to some peoples natural inclinations. I know that the church is a big advocate for adoption and in very few cases like you said they say abortion is tolerable. I am glad at least that people are involved in these issues. One of the most frusterating things for me is when people are so apathic about issues that affect everyone. Even if I don't agree with what someone else believes, I admire people who stand for something. I will look forward to reading more of your blog. Talk to ya later!
Heather
Post a Comment