Who I Am

My husband is sick of listening to me rant about politics. I watch what is happening in the world and I am befuddled as to how I can feel so alone in my beliefs. I have friends, family, neighbors whom I respect and admire a great deal and I struggle to understand how my beliefs can be so different from theirs. I am aware that half of the country does not agree with me so I am not so arrogant as to assume that half of the country is wrong and I am completely right. Yet I feel so strongly in what I believe that I can’t understand how half of the country disagrees with me. We as a nation have allowed ourselves to be pitted against each other for so long that I feel we no longer have a clue what the other side really believes. “Republican” and “Conservative” have become bad words.

According to the definitions my political affiliation lies somewhere between or within conservative and libertarian. The most straight forward way I can put it is that I believe in America, I believe in the constitution of the United States, and I believe in the American Dream. Unfortunately, I feel that we are killing the American Dream little by little every day. I am not starting this blog with the dream of changing anyone’s mind or convincing people that I am right. And to be honest I really don’t expect anyone to pay it much attention. I am only attempting to send my thoughts out into the vast expanse of internet chatter in an effort to expend my frustration and to share my beliefs.

I guess I should start by admitting that I did not vote for Barrack Obama. Whew, I said it. Don’t shoot me. Before you accuse me of being a racist and condemn me to eternal hell allow me to explain why I did not vote for him. I didn’t believe him, I didn’t believe that “change” without a solid definition and an outline of what was actually going to be “changed” was the right direction for our country. I do not believe that “spreading the wealth” is a viable solution for America. And here’s why – it’s not realistic. Our economy is based on competitive markets, human nature is inherently competitive. If you take away the competition you take away the motivating factor for most Americans. Most of us are driven by one simple belief; if I work hard I will be able to live a more comfortable, successful life. When you start rewarding people for nothing you take away motivation. Now – here is the big misconception that many progressives would take away from my statements – that is not to say that I do not support a safety net for those in need. I will say it again in more straightforward terms – I am not a cold hearted greedy person who would kick someone when they are down, I believe in some programs to help people who really need it. Yet, even having stated that, I will be condemned as a close minded money grubbing republican. There will be no open debate over the pros and cons of capitalism or a trickle down economy. No one will answer the question of whether it is really fair to take over half of someone’s income to be put towards government programs that they may or may not support, they will simply do as Michael Moore and deny that it is true.

It is my belief that we as individuals can take better care of ourselves, and money is better put to use in the hands of the people rather than trapped in layer after layer of bureaucratic sludge.
The definition of socialism on Wikipedia – I chose Wikipedia because I believe it is a nonpartisan site -“Most socialists share the view that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and derives its wealth through exploitation, creates an unequal society, does not provide equal opportunities for everyone to maximise their potential, and does not utilise technology and resources to their maximum potential nor in the interests of the public.” What part of “spread the wealth” is not covered in this statement? Yet if anyone refers to Obama as a socialist they are branded a radical right wing lunatic. In his defense he hasn’t actually taken over our homes, but wait doesn’t the government own the loans to our houses? But still, he hasn’t instituted a single payer health care system – but he would have if given the opportunity. Okay, okay, still he hasn’t actually taken over are financial system. Hmm, doesn’t the government pretty much control most of the American auto industry through Obama’s administration, aren’t they trying to put restrictions on the way banks pay salaries, make financial decisions, pretty much run their business? If it walks, talks, and acts like a duck it’s pretty much a duck, right?

Okay – in all seriousness President Obama himself has denied being a socialist so let’s take him at his word. But, wouldn’t we as Americans be remiss if we didn’t at least keep an eye on the many socialistic-esque policies being proposed and instituted in our government?

So that, in not so much of a nut shell, is the main reason why I didn’t vote for Barrack Obama for president. But if that doesn’t suit, don’t worry there will be many more reasons to come.