I don't think there's anyone who would ever say that they didn't know EXACTLY where I stood on an issue. Especially because I'm more than happy to tell you what and why if anyone is ever inclined to ask. I sometimes (more often than not) have been known to offer my opinion even when it's not asked for. :) Yes, I am aware that I do this. I just, most of the time, don't care.
Another presidential election year is upon us, and as I have in the last two elections (unfortunately I was not old enough to vote when Bush was non-elected in his first term) I am going to offer you up my opinions. What matters to me and why. I am going to give you reasons I believe what I believe, and I'm going to let you form your own opinions on them. Love them, hate them. That's your choice. However, I do so love opinions of others, so please don't be afraid to tell me what you believe, and why, as well.
I believe: in EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.
Women deserve the same amount of compensation for their work as men. I still find it so hard to believe that we live in a time where we send a rover into space, land it on Mars, and send video feed back, but women still earn on average 25 cents less per dollar that a man makes for the same job. I speak from experience that a lot of times the fact that you have a penis is more important than that of your character, your experience, or even your level of education. I think it allows men to raise higher in the work place, and to earn more money. This is not okay.
I believe: that WOMEN ARE SMART ENOUGH TO DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THEM AND THEIR BODIES.
This isn't just about abortion. There is so much more to this than the right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Women have the right to choose whether or not they want to use hormonal contraceptives, dye their hair, have LASIK eye surgery, have breast implants, have their tubes tied, or even, yes, have an abortion. These things are between a woman, her partner (sometimes), and her doctor. The government has no place in my womb. I also believe that a woman has the right to terminate a pregnancy, regardless of the reason or circumstances behind it. Whether she is married or single. Whether it was rape or consensual. This choice is one of the single most difficult decisions a woman will EVER have to make, no matter which way she chooses to go.
Women are going to have abortions. This is a fact. It happened before it was legalized and regulated. If for some reason it is ever to become illegal, women will still have abortions. Wouldn't it be better to allow a woman her choice and have it be a safe one, rather than resorting to back ally ways, and untested medications, and falls down staircases?
I believe: that CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE AND OUR FUTURE NEEDS HELP.
Class sizes are too big. Teachers are paid too little. Standardized testing is a waste of time and money and doesn't benefit the children AT ALL. My son's 3rd grade classroom started testing the fifth day of school. Aren't they supposed to be learning something before being sat in front of a computer to answer question after question? Too much emphasis on test scores, not enough on learning.
I believe: that ANY TWO CONSENTING ADULTS SHOULD HAVE THE FULL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AFFORDED ANY OTHER TWO CONSENTING ADULTS.
Marriage is a right. We love who we love and there is no choice behind that. If two men (or women) loving each other for the rest of their lives is destroying the sanctity of marriage, I wonder what me having a child out of wedlock does. I wonder what all of the straight people who cheat on their spouses does. I wonder what all of the divorces have done. I wonder what Britney Spears's marriages have done. This world needs more love, not less. If you don't believe in gay marriage, don't get one. This is not about God, this is about you being scared of something you don't fully understand, which is fine. Separation of church and state. It's not your place to judge, regardless of your religion. Leave that to someone who is better at doing it than yourself.
I believe: that NO POLITICIAN IS PERFECT.
Sometimes these elections boil down to choosing the lesser of the two evils, the person you dislike less than the other. Never is there a perfect answer that will fit for everyone. Every human being will make mistakes. We all fall down, but what creates character is by how we manage to get back up. Holding someone up to impossible standards only means that they can do nothing except fail.
I believe: that OUR WORDS ARE FREE, BUT WITH FREEDOM COMES RESPONSIBILITY.
Yes, we can say what we want, and write what we want. However, if we choose to do this, we also have to be prepared for any sort of repercussions that might bring.
I believe: HEALTHCARE IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE.
I LOVE Obamacare. I love everything it stands for and has done to better my life, and the life of my child. The state of Nebraska has paid in excess of ONE MILLION DOLLARS for my son's surgeries and treatments, many of which could have been covered by insurance if I was allowed to carry him on my work insurance. Which I wasn't. Not until this year. Reason? Preexisting condition. One which he was BORN with. How does that make any sense whatsoever? I love that women are now able to pay for their birth control through the insurance. I love that I no longer have to pay a co-pay for my annual preventative visits. I pay for my insurance, and guess what it does? It INSURES me. What a concept! Is it perfect? Hell no. But it is a huge step in the right direction and a great stepping stone.
I disagree: with WAR, THE DEATH PENALTY, CENSORSHIP (except in certain circumstances, if you're interested, ask me what those are), AND DRUG TESTING FOR WELFARE BENEFITS.
I could go on and on. The war on drugs (I believe marijuana should be legalized, and then taxed. National debt what?!), gun control (this is actually a huge one and deserves it's own paragraph, but I'm sure you've heard it all before), the rate of poverty in this country, children's health, etc.
Research. Teach yourself. Never stop learning, and never become a sheep. Question everything. Find your own reasons to believe what it is you believe, then stand up for them, shout them from the rooftops, and VOTE!
