I've been drafting this post for some time now. Not on the computer, but in my head. I'm hesitant, not because I don't 100% believe in my position, but because I have several friends that believe the complete opposite. This doesn't really bother me all that much, because I can easily be friends with people that hold different political affiliations from my own, but politics is very personal and people get offended. Honestly, I'VE been a little taken aback by blogs and comments out there that have questioned my church standing because of some of my political beliefs.
I had a grin on my face a few Sundays ago. Having worked for Democrats in Utah, I remember the wringing of hands that occurred while everyone awaited for the "reading of the letter". It brings back lots of happy memories from my days of working in the mayor's office with his chief of staff who was referred to as a "good democrat". You can only imagine how fantastic it was to have a personal relationship with someone that was well placed. I always knew the scuttle butt. We talked a lot about political parties, the church and political ideology. I had some of the most AMAZING discussions with her. She is one of the reasons I love politics so much and am so passionate.
When "the letter" was read I was grinning because those memories came flooding back. But I was also grinning because once again we were admonished that we should research our candidates and vote for the individual that fits OUR idea of good government. So wait- we can vote for someone that isn't a Republican? Are you sure? Because according to a large number of Mormons, this is synonymous with relinquishing your church membership and voting for oh lets say Satan. Am I being harsh?
I know many of my friends, ahem.. Brent, will question my Democratic leanings. I am proud to say I voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries. I know.. SHOCKING. It isn't because I like her so much as a person, but she fit my idea of GOOD GOVERNMENT. I am 100% certain I will be voting for Obama (my grandfather would be rolling over in his grave, because he was against disclosing the candidate you voted for.. he would say "isn't that why it is called a SECRET BALLOT"). I'm proud to vote for Obama. I'm proud that I support social programs that help individuals become the best version of themselves. I'm proud that I support a woman's right to choose. I'm proud that I think fair doesn't always mean equal. I'm proud that I am completely against the death penalty. I'm proud that I like the underdog. I'm proud that for the most part I DO NOT support tobacco, oil, or alcohol. I'm proud that I vote for candidates based on their political views, not because they have an R or a D behind their name. I'm proud that I support the troops, but want them to come home sooner rather than later and do not think we can win this war THIS WAY. I'm proud that although I want a woman in the white house, I WILL NOT vote for someone just because they are a woman. I'm proud to admit that my political views have changed greatly over the years- I once voted for George Bush and Orrin Hatch. I'm proud that I take the time to RESEARCH my candidates before I vote. I'm proud that I have voted in every election I could legally vote in, except one (and let me tell you.. there were tears shed at the polling station- honest to goodness tears). I'm proud that I vote my conscience. I'm proud that my conscience is in line with the teachings of the church. I'm proud to vote Democrat when the candidate represents my view of GOOD GOVERNMENT. But, I'm especially proud that I have NEVER voted for someone because they were a MAVERICK. WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN? Seriously- aren't there more important matters out there? (can you tell I just watched the debates.. I swear if I hear MAVERICK one more time....)
I guess I'll never get the distinction of someone calling me "a good democrat", but I'm certainly proud of my voting record.
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14 comments:
Well, I'll be praying for you. ;)
haha
I think that it's important that none of us judge one another for their political views...because political views are as personal as religious ones, and...
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."
Perhaps that ought to apply to politics as well.
1. Your primary argumemt is a straw man. I have never once heard that I had to vote Republican in order to be a member in good standing. Sue Hawes once said something similar to me about being a democrat, though.
2. I'm no McCain fan, but the term "maverick" has been typically used to suggest that he's willing to drop the party line and do his own thing. Given your self-congratulatory jeremiad on always voting your conscience, I would have thought you'd appreciate that.
Brent,
Please- you and I both know that whenever we discuss the word of wisdom people insert caffeine into the explanation and whenever the letter is read everyone is inserting Republican into the text. I know you are not that naive.
Actually I just think the term is annoying. "He's a maverick", "the original maverick", "put the maverick into the white house".. blah, blah, blah. Saying he is a maverick doesn't ACTUALLY MAKE HIM A MAVERICK. Yes he drops the party lines, but so do a lot of people- why aren't they "the original maverick?" Do you have to drop the party line a certain number of times to be considered a maverick? Seriously. I know- it is one rocking sound bite.
I'm glad my girls have minds of their own and hope they all know why they vote the way they do. You were not raised in a Republican or a Democrat house. I think a lot of people think because your Mormon you must be a Republican (it's like if you live in Utah you must be mormon!) I'm glad you have your own views and that you respect others that have the opposite views.
Hurray to open minds, to differences of opinion, to variations in a theme. And hurray to you for speaking yours, and inviting others to do the same! (And, of course, hurray to Obama!)
What?! You're a democrat! Maybe we should have thought about this before we moved to Texas.
Do any of our neighbors know?
Good for you. Can you even imagine the craziness we're experiencing in California over Proposition 8? I'd love to hear your opinion on that.
Amy-
I was actually cracking up at your comment on another blog: Azcuars. I cannot imagine being put between in that position- especially since work and church are two of the most "influential areas" of life. Y'all had no reprieve!
amen yet again! (I could have written this post almost word for word.)
It's hard to be a Democrat in Utah, let me tell you. My mother-in-law has the best come-back: President Faust was a democrat, and he was a pretty good person. Take that, closed-minded members of my ward!!
I assume wandering nana is your mother? I LOVE her comment.
A-frickin-men. I love you!
I am proud that I finally wore my Obama shirt out of the house the other day!
my only experience with a maverick is top gun and tom cruise was pretty hot at the time. Is that a good reason to vote for someone? And I really hate to criticize other peoples comments, but, oh never mind. I'll tell you next tell I see you. I'd hate for you to delete T WO comments this post.
Love that you are so committed and passionate about politics. Love you girl, even from across the isle :D
Hi Lara,
We have a more liberal ward here in SF. Lots of us are behind Obama. As far as the discussion of what makes us democrats vs. republicans, I heard an interesting theory recently. Some pollster was looking for a question that could determine party affiliation without asking directly. The best question, paraphrased, was nearly 100% accurate. It asks, "Do you believe the good and bad turns in your life are random events or are a consequence of your behavior." Republicans tend to think life events stem from behavior, punishment or blessings, for living the way God directs. Democrats, whether God fearing or not, tend to believe a lot in life is uncoupled from behavior--random luck or tragedy. From this philosophical positioning stem many of the tenets of each parties. Republicans hate funding social programs, because they believe the person's own behavior is to blame for the desperate situation. Democrats wish guns were outlawed, because they fear that some random crazy person is going to attempt to rob the cashier at some randomly selected restaurant resulting in real tragedy. You can continue down through abortion, whether the wealthy should carry a higher tax burden than the middle class, whether America should stay put in Iraq until we make their country friendly toward us etc. The truth of the matter is, I believe, that some of our actions do bring about good as well as bad consequences (as republicans tend to think), but that just as often random events line up in such preposterous ways that we find ourselves unfairly taking it on the chin. 'It is too bad that more of us don't look on the back of the medals and trophies we earn through our own hard work, for on the back each is simply yet clearly inscribed, "You have been called to serve mankind."' (Paraphrased from pulitzer prize winning author Suzan-Lori Parks.) I'm pretty sure she turned her pulitzer over to read the inscription. So, is Suzan-Lori Parks a republican or democrat?
Good luck to you and your party on Nov. 4th,
Tim (the other LDS democrat)
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