I am registered to vote as an Independent. Many of my viewpoints probably align more with the Republican Party. However, I really hate being stereotyped by everything the Republican Party stands for because I don't agree with everything on their platform.
Yes, I am a Christian.
No, I don't think abstinence only sex education is helping the teenagers across the nation make wise decisions about their bodies. Of course I think that abstinence is always the wisest choice, but children are not known for making wise choices. They are children and most of their decisions are based on emotion, hormones, and peer pressure. I believe that knowledge is power and our children need to know about their bodies and how they function, they need to know about sex, and they need to know about sexually-transmitted diseases. They need to know these things by the time they get into high school. My personal opinion is that sex education should be taught in junior high because that is when teenagers are most likely to become interested in sex. Parents also need to be more involved in teaching their children about sex (or anything else for that matter).
Our children need to be taught both the theory of Evolution and Intelligent Design. Let them learn about both theories and decide for themselves.
Teachers are entitled to have their own opinions, but I don't want them cramming their opinions down my child's throat and telling them its the "truth." There isn't much in the universe that can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. I don't want my children brainwashed by teachers with a liberal agenda. Our children should be taught multiple view points on a subject and not just the teacher's view point. Give them the information they need so they can make their own informed decisions.
Yes, I believe in global warming. I think there are many things that we do that are harmful to the environment. It isn't reasonable to think that all of the hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide we are pumping into the air doesn't have an adverse effect on the atmosphere. We need to pursue alternative sources of fuel such as hydrogen, solar, wind, clean coal, and nuclear power.
No, I don't think homosexuals should be able to get married. I believe that God designed marriage to be a lifetime union between a man and a woman. If American citizens were to vote to allow homosexuals to have civil unions that would give them the same legal benefits as marriage, I would be fine with that decision.
No, I don't want the US Government to be a theocracy. However, I do want the laws of the land to reflect the opinions of the majority of the citizens and not just the opinions of liberal judges.
Yes, I think divorce is a sin. I would love to see the divorce rate in America decline. People take marriage too lightly these days, especially Christians. When things get tough, instead of sticking it out, people give up. No one ever said marriage is easy. There is a reason the vows are "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for good times and bad, till death do us part." And to answer your question before you ask it, no I don't believe you should stay in an abusive or violent marriage, especially if your spouse is unwilling to go to counseling.
Yes, I wouldn't mind seing the US go to government funded healthcare. It works in Europe and Canada, why can't it work here? The healtchare system is in serious trouble and most Americans can't afford insurance. And even if you do have insurance, it is still difficult to pay the premiums and co-pays that the insured is responsible for. The insurance companies are getting rich off the working class of America. While we are struggling to pay our health care premiums and co-pays, the insurance company CEOs are denying our claims and taking our hard-earned money to give themselves multi-million dollar bonuses.
Yes, I think there is too much corruption in Washington D.C. Maybe most politicians begin their careers with noble intentions, but they are soon lured by the trail of money that leads to the pockets of lobbyists and big corporations. The politicians soon forget they are there to represent the citizens of their state and they sell their votes to the highest bidder. We need to wipe out corruption in Washington. We also need to keep the government from spending our money like a kid in a toy store with moms credit card. I want checks and balances in the budget to make sure they are making wise decisions with our hard-earned money.
Yes, I agree that Barack Obama is an eloquent public speaker and an intelligent man. It would be uplifting to see this country begin to leave racism behind by nominating our first black president. However, I can't vote for him because it comes down to a simple choice for me: Does he protect the sanctity of human life?
NO. That is the most important question to me. Even though my bank account is just as empty as everyone elses, I can't put my money woes ahead of my respect for human life. It is a simple decision for me. It is difficult for me to understand why people are more concerned with their bank account than they are about saving a human life.
Barack Obama has shown time and time again that he is more concerned with the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned than he is about protecting human life, even babies that are already born and alive (see his voting record on IL Born Alive Infant Protection Act
http://www.bornalivetruth.org/ and you'll see where he stands on this subject.)
Yes, I am pro-life. I believe that no unborn child should have to pay with their life because their mother was irresponsible. And that is what it comes down to in most instances, irresponsibility. There are too many contraceptives readily available for any woman to unintentionally get pregnant. People like to say, "what about those who were raped or a victim of incest?" Statistically, the odds on those types of pregancy are very rare. The only instance I can see where an abortion could be warranted is if the mother's life is in danger.
I believe that abortion is murder and there is nothing anyone could ever say to me to make me feel differently about this. Every human life is important and deserves respect and protection.
There are many of us Independents out there who are fiscally Democrats but when it comes to things like abortion, we fall more in line with the Republican party platform. If the Democratic party would nominate a pro-life candidate, I would gladly vote for a Democrat.
I often hear the argument that George Bush has been in office for eight years and abortion is still legal so that should encourage me to vote for a Democrat. I realize that the President doesn't vote on the laws. He can only sign or veto the legislation. However, the President IS RESPONSIBLE for nominating the Supreme Court Judges. That is where the decision to vote Democrat or Republican becomes extremely important!
I want a judge that is going to read the constitution and interpret the laws voted on by Americans. I don't want a judge that is going to try and make his/her own moral decision about what he/she thinks is right and pass laws based on those decisions. I don't want a judge that is going to look to European court precedents (which do not reflect the views of most Americans) to make his/her decisions. We don't need judges who legislate from the bench. That is why I have to vote Republican in most instances. The Democrats tend to nominate liberal judges who like to legislate from the bench. The role of a judge should be to interpret the law not create new laws based on their own opinions.
I believe everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe. This country was founded on freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I believe these freedoms are vitally important to this country. I respect that you have your own belief system and I want you to have the right to speak about your beliefs openly without fear of persecution. I also want the same rights for myself. We must do everything in our power to protect these freedoms.
Every American will never see eye-to-eye on every issue. In those instances, we should always be able to agree to disagree and let our votes determine the outcome.
I think the one thing that most people should agree on is that children are one of God's most precious gifts (and I think even if you don't believe in God, you can agree that children are wonderful). There is nothing like the joy that a little child brings to my heart. I have been unable to have children of my own but I spend as much time with my sister Wendy's children, Connor and Raelee, as I possibly can. I also enjoy spending time with my best friend Angie's daughter, McKenna. These children have brought me more joy and laughter than I could ever describe.
How could anyone look at these beautiful gifts and say they aren't worthy of being born into this world? How could someone ever see a child as simply an inconvenience that must be eliminated (murdered)? That is something I will NEVER understand!
Connor With An Orange-Stained Face
Raelee's Precious Smile
McKenna On Her 2nd Birthday
Lazy Pumpkins
The Pumpkin Desert
