I have used my facebook, twitter, and other social media networks to
express my political beliefs in the past few months. But rarely do I
speak my own words. I more often than not quote a comedian, or even
more hilariously the republican candidate. I feel like with the
election being just around the corner, I would like to take a minute to
explain why I believe the things that I do. This isn't open to debate,
as this is strictly me stating why I will be voting the way I will in
November. I don't expect people to agree with everything I say, nor do I
want to be dragged into a argument with anyone because I posted a blog
on a Thursday evening. If you are one of those people that can't hear
someone's opinions without writing a rebuttal in your head before the
words even fully enter your brain, do us both a favor and stop reading
right now.
Ah. Isn't that better? That guy is such an idiot.
I will be
casting my vote for my president of the United States of America; the
charismatic, handsome, intelligent, and bad-ass Barack Obama. There are
a few core issues that make me stand behind my POTUS, and those are the
issues I care enough about to pay attention to government at all. I
can't sit here and pretend I know who is more qualified to handle
foreign policy or even explain back to you what the proposed tax cuts or
increases are. I'm sure I would care more about those things if I
owned anything - like a business, a house, or even a car. Or perhaps if
I was an active member of the US military. Since I don't qualify for
any of the previously mentioned circumstances - this is what I do know:
Gay rights.
How is this still even an issue? I have only been on this earth 25
years, and it didn't take me all that long to figure out the greatest
thing one person can ever have, be, or want is simply love. I want
everyone to be in love and to love. I want my worst enemy to be loved
so fucking hard they die from love. If two, consensual,
independent-minded individuals are in the love with each other, I don't
care at all what gender they are, they have every right to, and should,
broadcast it from the mountaintops. They should be able to stand in
front of a judge, or a priest, their families and friends, and hold a
marriage certificate like anyone else. Because if two people take a vow
to spend the rest of their lives together, and love each other so much
as to want to do so, that shouldn't be denied to anybody, ever.
Period. End of discussion.
Women's rights. I have a
vagina. Though it's been questioned by those who have witnessed my
abilities in the kitchen, or when picking out matching clothes, I am a
lady, with delicate lady parts. Government has always been a man's
game, and that's fine. Quite frankly, I wouldn't ever want the job.
But there should also be an acknowledgement to the fact that if you
don't have ladybits, you shouldn't be the one deciding the appropriate
maintenance and care for ladybits. (Unless of course you are a man that
studied vaginas, and became a vagina doctor - in which case, good for
you guy. Vaginas are gross). I don't make a million dollars a year, I
don't have unlimited funds to ensure I can keep myself safe and
protected throughout these very transfomative and honestly scary sexual
developmental years of my life. I want to know that those choices will
be determined by me, and the government will be supportive towards my
effort to keeping my body healthy and safe. Let's also consider the
fact that if I didn't have the right to make choices for my life, and my
body - I would have a 5 year kid right now who would be living paycheck
to paycheck right along with me. Who knows where I would be, or the
person I would have become if I didn't have the ability to choose the
life I want and to make the hardest decision I believe a person ever
could for myself. Which leads me to my next point...
Obamacare. My
father is technically unemployed. He is also battling stage 4 renal
cancer. If ever in my entire life have I seen a need for the government
to step in and provide healthcare to those in need, its right now. My
father has worked his entire life. He has provided to a family of 6,
raised 4 pretty intelligent individuals while working 40 plus hours a
week and being home for dinner every night. The man runs into some bad
luck when the economy took a turn for the worst. He lost the house he
spent his entire adult life paying for. He lost his job. And after
providing for his family, his community, and giving back to his
government in the same way every hard working American does, Mitt Romney
wants to turn his back on a plan that would give my family the
resources to fight this thing, He isn't a lazy man. He didn't decide to
get cancer one day, and then sit back and collect money from your tax
paying dollars to be well again. But god dammit, if there is a way we
can give back to people, regardless of circumstance, to give every
American a fighting chance at healthy lives - why wouldn't we?
These
are the issues that matter to me. This is why when I go into the
voting booth in just a few weeks, I have no doubt in my mind that I am
making the right decision for myself, and I do truly believe, this
country. These issues are the ones I will always fight for, in the
horrible case that they remain issues to fight for. I stood up every
day of my school years, placed my hand over my heart, and recited the
words "with liberty and justice FOR ALL". I believe in this country. I
believe in the people that fight for good in this country. And I hope
if these issues matter to you too, that you read up on what these two
very different men stand behind and let your voice be heard on November
6th.
