I grew up a Republican. When I was in high school, that was more about being sure everybody knew about my stance on firearms. Since it was my hobby to go shooting regularly, I needed those rights protected.
After I moved out of my fathers house and started attending the local community college I began to realize that choosing how I viewed myself politically based on one thing was wrong. Especially since I leaned more towards the Democrat side of things on several other points. I'm pro-choice, but feel if you're "pro-life" enough to decide that I can't have an abortion, you better be first in line to adopt my kid. I'm also pro-marriage for ANY two people over 18 because it has NO negative effect on me. In fact, its none of my business who you fall in love and want to spend the rest of your life with.
As such, I did switch over to calling myself a Democrat. I've since seen the light and have realize that we're all too brain-washed about fighting with each other to understand that if we stopped fighting about ridiculous things and all stood up and took care of ourselves rather than worry about what somebody else was doing America would be well on its way to being the Greatest Nation on Earth.
I learned today for the first time what "dissent" was. Not the idea, the idea I've almost always understood, but rather the term as more of a movement. One I'm hoping starts to grow larger in America.
"We the People" signs are posted all over the place. Eventually I plan on having a "We the People"/"Don't Tread On Me"/"1776" tattoo on my chest over a waving flag -- thats how strongly I believe the citizens need to step up and regain control. The population is riddled with those who would rather sit back and blame whats happening on other people, but if you don't vote, if you don't make your voice heard... nobody will listen.
Health Care: NO! It is NOT a RIGHT for you to sit at home on your ass and expect the government and the rich to pay for you're lap-band. I grew up knowing that we live in a society based largely on a system that looks nearly identical to a pyramid scheme. We've all seen them. Don't tell me you haven't been to an Amway meeting. Its really simple. You get a job at the bottom. Its hard work, the pay is shitty, and there are no benefits. Over time, you gain knowledge, experience, and hopefully you find it within yourself to hold yourself accountable to step up and move to the next rung in the company. A little better pay, probably not the best of benefits, but a little dental is better than none. . . and at least now you can take a few classes here and there to work towards that degree.
You get your degree and have now got enough work experience under your belt that you finally qualify for that big promotion. . . or can finally get your "dream job". You're finally at a point where you're making enough to finally call it income, and you have a job that has health benefits. Doesn't it feel great to have EARNED that?
Much better than sitting at home living an unfulfilled life.
I know I would feel better if you did that -- I am currently at stage two. I make an okay wage with full benefits, but it took me 6 years to get here -- and I'm not even close to where I want to be.
If you have an opinion, voice it - but do so in an intelligent fashion. There is no reason to point fingers or raise anger at a specific person. Bring up your opinions and discuss it as an adult. Don't tell me that you have a grandma who can't afford health care so the rest of us should pay for her. Yes, its a sad story... and yes, as Americans we should help each other... but there is a difference between helping and doing everything for.
----------- A reply I got from a 64 year old woman: ------------
Hello, Grace -- one sharp lady, I must say to start out with...
A day or two ago you posted a comment on one of my blogs. I checked out your profile--and, honey, sorry, but I got the hell out of there as fast as possible because of those lip piecings. Kinda turned my stomach....
Then I read your blog here...and I have to tell you I'm very impressed. I am, as far as your generation is concerned, "an old woman..." My first impression of you was tainted by stereotypes for sure. All those body/lip piercings I can't look at without getting nauseated... all of that for me, in stereoptype, equals "kid is stupid, not worth my time."
But....As I've indicated...this blog of yours...so very smart. So very intelligent. And so very brave for its absolute honesty. I'd have to read it over several times to know if I agree with everything you said or not, or somewhat.... But I can say this: I'm so very pleased to see a young woman your age THINKING INDEPENDANTLY so much.... If you keep posting such intelligent, thoughtful blogs, with no effort whatsoever to sugar-coat your thoughts....just you...no games...no tricky, charm-filled manipulations....Little girl, I promise I will do my best to get over my intense bias about what I still consider to be very ugly body piercings, and look at your every word with objectivity.
One funny thing, Grace, [funny peculiar, not funny haha]. I've noticed in the last few years that the "kids" I run into who exhibit the strangest, most bizarre body piercings and hairdos and attire often turn out to be the "kids" with the most positively creative ideas on their minds for how life should be lived. So...I want to publically apologize to you for first judging you by your lip piercings [which, I confess, I'm still having a lot of trouble looking at without feeling weak in the knees....]. Next, I hope you will continue to post your thoughts here on MM because your singular "take on life" is a sheer delight for this "old lady." I look at you, your independent spirit, your courage in putting out there exactly who you are with no games...and I am delighted to see you...a young woman so very much more courageous and clear-headed, determined to be you, than I was at your age. Hell, at your age, I had absolutely NO idea who I was or what I stood for or what I wanted or what I believed in....
God bless you, child. Like the song says, a song by, I think, Eva Cassidy, sung by many over the years, made famous again in the 60's [or was it the 70's] by Blood, Sweat & Tears: think the title is "The Child That's Got It's Own." [Liza Manelli did a great rendition of it, too.]
