It all started when I began watching “the other side” give their speeches. Then I started dialoguing with co-workers about their political party favorites. And then, well, then I was so moved by one of the candidates speeches that I went to his website, joined his listserv and found out when and where my local caucus will be. They didn't care that I was from an opposing party; they welcomed me in with open arms.
But I wasn't ready for anyone to find out yet about what I'm really thinking, or how I'm planning on voting, so I opened up a separate e-mail account for just my political correspondence. My husband was deployed so I tried to keep this on the “DL” (“down low”) as much as possible.
I justified my actions, thinking, “well, my husband opened up several e-mail accounts-one for each fantasy football team he had going on. I supposed I am also entitled to my "sports."”
He's still gone so this article will be the first time he knows of my bombshell. I think I might be a closet Democrat. GASP. Well, at least unsure as to where I stand anymore. Shocking for friends and family reading this, I know. I'm still in shock too. I'm too young to be crossing party lines. I ask myself, “is it some type of quarter-life crisis I'm going through?”
Perhaps, it could be. But I don't think so. I think it's more than that. I think that just like so many in my grandparents' day switched from the left to the right, that now it's time for the pendulum to swing back again-and many are moving back from the right to the left, back to what the parties originally stood for, and not all the moral issues that got mixed into the equation.
It's a complicated thing the economy is. How do we really know which direction the dollar should go? I still have very strong Republican values. As a state employee, it angers me to see not only citizens abusing our state funds and programs, but other state employees when they don't work in full integrity.
I think everyone should work their hardest, and with what they are given, they should give back to the communities. I think that if more people were more charitable (myself included) then we wouldn't have as great of need for taxes and programs. Just think if churches were more involved in the communities than in their own church functions. I know of one church like that, maybe a couple, but not very many. Most are concerned with their own ministries and outreaches, and very few truly help those who are outside their denominational walls. Those that do are sorely under budgeted.
The conservative side of me wants the least amount of taxes, and the money to be given back to the people-to spend either foolishly or wisely. Less government! Less control over our lives! Freedom!
The compassionate side of me, however, knows that the heart of the man is very selfish. And what about Education? What about Healthcare? As a child who knew poverty, but was spared by my grandparents' generosity, I have mixed views. I can't help but to wonder, what would have happened had I not had my grandparents to help me? What would I have done if I was completely at the mercy of the government?
There is a strong and sickening social Darwinist culture in this nation. Unless you've traveled to third-world countries, you may not realize how good we have it here… and how much we really take for granted.
I'm not an advocate of Socialism. I don't believe it's fair for one man or woman to work extremely hard only to see someone else not even work and get the same wages.
However, I am advocate of opportunities. I am an advocate of trades programs for our young people. I am advocate for programs that would allow people to get what they need to better themselves.
Having gone through the public education system, I am grateful to all my teachers over the years. In my suburban high school, though it wasn't perfect, it still gave me opportunities.
I could have been a problem child, I actually was at first. I got detention for carving cartoons on my desk and acting out in my English class. Because the school system was backed by taxpayers, because the teachers had manageable class sizes and could give me individual attention, they were able to sit me down and find out why I was acting out.
Once they determined that I was not a stupid high school kid, but was actually rather bright, they moved me into Advanced Placement courses. From there on out, I rose to the challenge and opportunities they gave me; I worked hard and I did well. I won scholarships and worked through both high school and college. I worked hard every step of the way, but I wouldn't have been able to work at those jobs had they not been made available to me-and had I not had the training along the way.
I would not have done well if I had been ignored and lost amidst a stampede of students. I would probably not have gone onto college or even realized I had academic potential, had I not had that school system in place. My grandparents did what they could to raise me, but the biggest thing they taught me was to take advantage of the opportunities we have-even the government funded ones.
As mentioned earlier, my grandparents were originally Democrats before turning Republican. While I share a lot of their conservative views, I also share their values they may not even realize they still had.
America needs programs, especially in the inner cities, and especially in our lowest socioeconomic areas. America needs change. America needs someone who is passionate enough to make that change happen.
I'm ready for someone with a youthful and visionary spirit to come in, and I don't care what side of the House or Senate they are on. I'm still not ready for a label or title, I'm not ready to be associated with a donkey… but then again, why was I associated with an elephant? Just because most everyone in my family was?
This year, I am voting for the person with the most vision to change America. I'll let you guess who is at the top of my list.
