Post-Election Musings

I'm sure this post will be very controversial to a lot of people, but in my mind it is our ability to express our opinions freely that makes this country so great. The past week's election both for our nation's commander in chief and in California for Proposition 8 has had me thinking quite a bit about the direction this country is taking.

As far as the presidential election is concerned I must confess to being rather disappointed in the people's choice for a leader. I do not see Barack Obama as the kind of man I want to lead my country. I do not agree with his policies, in particular his tax policies which of all of them is the one that affects me most directly. It worries me that we have elected a man who while professing that he will defend the rights and the income of middle America will in fact be gouging every one of those constituents with an increase in taxes that will leave each person with an increased financial burden, not a lessened one. Welcome to the United Soviet Socialist States of America... But, since there is nothing that I can do to change the outcome of the election, I guess we're stuck with him for at least the next 4 years. And we're going to have to deal with the consequences.
However, the passing of Proposition 8 in California has left me feeling better in many ways. For those of you that read my ramblings I wish to emphasize that I believe strongly in every person's right to live their life in any way they see fit. But I also want to say that that includes myself and my desires for a free America! The important thing to remember though is that while the extremely vocal minority is shouting that we need to separate church and state, that doesn't mean we should separate the principles we believe in from how we regulate our country. Whether for you those principles come from what your parents taught you, or from what you learned at church, or school, or wherever. It is our duty as citizens to get involved and support the principles that we believe in. It honestly does not matter where we learned those principles. What matters is that we support what we believe in and that we are involved. That is why I personally was a supporter of Proposition 8 (even though I couldn't vote for or against due to the fact that I'm not a California resident).

While it is true that my opinion in this matter comes in large part from what I have learned growing up in a very Christian home, the fact that I carry these values as a result of my religious beliefs doesn't make them invalid. I believe that homosexuality is inherently wrong, therefore I support amending our laws to specify that marriage is between one man and one woman. Call me bigoted if you want, but you'll be wrong. I have many friends that are gay and have chosen to live their lives that way. I will never reject them as my friends nor will I judge their value as people based on those choices; just as I would never reject as a friend someone that drinks and drives, or uses harmful drugs. I deplore those actions as well, but if a friend told me they had done one of those things, I would still love them and still be their friend. I will however stand up and say - to their face - that I believe that what they are doing is wrong, and is harmful to themselves and others around them. That is what makes a democracy. When every person - even those of us who happen to be in the majority - has a voice.

The biggest problem to me, and my biggest pet peeve with all of the press attention that has been given to Proposition 8 is when those opposed to it accuse those of us that support such laws as denying them their rights. I hate to break it to you guys, but when you tell me I have to buy into your ideas and I have to vote your way; that is you taking away my rights. I have just as much right as you do to believe what I want and to vote how I want. Even though i am not a California resident and had no say in how Proposition 8 turned out I am very relieved that it passed and hopeful that this is indicative of a strengthening of the moral fiber of our country.

I truly do not mean to offend anyone with my views. I am simply exercising my right to express myself in the manner I choose. The very vocal minority is always claiming that right. I think it's time that the majority echoed that sentiment and stood up more vocally for what we believe in.