Republican vs. Democrat

I believe many times people base their political standpoint off of what they think they know about Democrats (liberals/left) and Republicans (conservatives/right) as compared to what really is the ideology of both parties. If you are not familiar with what - exactly those ideologies are. Please take a moment to read this article. You may just find that you do not necessarily agree with all or,part; perhaps even realizing you disagree with certain aspects of your party choice, or that your convictions are affirmed.

(Please make sure and read the italics print!)

This is taken directly from: http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/
Copyright 2005 (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com

Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs

We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The argument is how to achieve them…

Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems.

Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.

NOTE: The terms “left” and “right” define opposite ends of the political spectrum. In the United States, liberals are referred to as the left or left-wing and conservatives are referred to as the right or right-wing. On the U.S. political map, blue represents the Democratic Party (which generally upholds liberal principles) and red represents the Republican party (which generally upholds conservative principles).

THE ISSUES: (In alphabetical order)

Abortion:

Liberal - A woman has the right to decide what happens with her body. A fetus is not a human life, so it does not have separate individual rights. The government should provide taxpayer funded abortions for women who cannot afford them. The decision to have an abortion is a personal choice of a woman regarding her own body and the government must protect this right. Women have the right to affordable, safe and legal abortions, including partial birth abortion.

Conservative - Human life begins at conception. Abortion is the murder of a human being. An unborn baby, as a living human being, has separate rights from those of the mother. Oppose taxpayer-funded abortion. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for the government to provide abortions. Support legislation to prohibit partial birth abortions, called the "Partial Birth Abortion* Ban"

(*Partial Birth Abortion: the killing of an unborn baby of at least 20 weeks by pulling it out of the birth canal with forceps, but leaving the head inside. An incision is made in the back of the baby's neck and the brain tissue is suctioned out. The head is then removed from the uterus.)

Affirmative Action:

Liberal - Due to prevalent racism in the past, minorities were deprived of the same education and employment opportunities as whites. The government must work to make up for that. America is still a racist society, therefore a federal affirmative action law is necessary. Due to unequal opportunity, minorities still lag behind whites in all statistical measurements of success.

Conservative - Individuals should be admitted to schools and hired for jobs based on their ability. It is unfair to use race as a factor in the selection process. Reverse-discrimination is not a solution for racism. Some individuals in society are racist, but American society as a whole is not. Preferential treatment of certain races through affirmative action is wrong.

Death Penalty:

Liberal - The death penalty should be abolished. It is inhumane and is ‘cruel and unusual' punishment. Imprisonment is the appropriate punishment for murder. Every execution risks killing an innocent person.

Conservative - The death penalty is a punishment that fits the crime of murder; it is neither ‘cruel' nor ‘unusual.' Executing a murderer is the appropriate punishment for taking an innocent life.

Economy:

Liberal - A market system in which government regulates the economy is best. Government must protect citizens from the greed of big business. Unlike the private sector, the government is motivated by public interest. Government regulation in all areas of the economy is needed to level the playing field.

Conservative - The free market system, competitive capitalism, and private enterprise create the greatest opportunity and the highest standard of living for all. Free markets produce more economic growth, more jobs and higher standards of living than those systems burdened by excessive government regulation.

Education: vouchers & charter schools

Liberal - Public schools are the best way to educate students. Vouchers take money away from public schools. Government should focus additional funds on existing public schools, raising teacher salaries and reducing class size.

Conservative - School vouchers create competition and therefore encourage schools to improve performance. Vouchers will give all parents the right to choose good schools for their children, not just those who can afford private schools.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research:

Liberal - Support the use of embryonic stem cells for research. It is necessary (and ethical) for the government to fund embryonic stem cell research, which will assist scientists in finding treatments and cures for diseases. An embryo is not a human. The tiny blastocyst (embryos used in embryonic stem cell research) has no human features. Experimenting on embryos/embryonic stem cells is not murder. Embryonic stem cells have the potential to cure chronic and degenerative diseases which current medicine has been unable to effectively treat. Embryonic stem cells have been shown to be effective in treating heart damage in mice.

Conservative - Support the use of adult and umbilical cord stem cells only for research. It is morally and ethically wrong for the government to fund embryonic stem cell research. Human life begins at conception. The extraction of stem cells from an embryo requires its destruction. In other words, it requires that a human life be killed. Adult stem cells have already been used to treat spinal cord injuries, Leukemia, and even Parkinson's disease. Adult stem cells are derived from umbilical cords, placentas, amniotic fluid, various tissues and organ systems like skin and the liver, and even fat obtained from liposuction. Embryonic stem cells have not been successfully used to help cure disease.

Energy:

Liberal - Oil is a depleting resource. Other sources of energy must be explored. The government must produce a national plan for all energy resources and subsidize (partially pay for) alternative energy research and production. Support increased exploration of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power. Support government control of gas and electric industries.

Conservative - Oil, gas and coal are all good sources of energy and are abundant in the U.S. Oil drilling should be increased both on land and at sea. Increased domestic production creates lower prices and less dependence on other countries for oil. Support increased production of nuclear energy. Wind and solar sources will never provide plentiful, affordable sources of power. Support private ownership of gas and electric industries.

Euthanasia & Physician-assisted suicide:

Liberal - Euthanasia should be legalized. A person has a right to die with dignity, by his own choice. A terminally ill person should have the right to choose to end pain and suffering. It is wrong for the government to take away the means for a terminally ill person to hasten his death. It is wrong to force a person to go through so much pain and suffering. Legalizing euthanasia would not lead to doctor-assisted suicides of non-critical patients. Permitting euthanasia would reduce health care costs, which would then make funds available for those who could truly benefit from medical care.

Conservative - Neither euthanasia nor physician-assisted suicide should be legalized. It is immoral and unethical to deliberately end the life of a terminally ill person (euthanasia), or enable another person to end their own life (assisted suicide). The goal should be compassionate care and easing the suffering of terminally ill people. Legalizing euthanasia could lead to doctor-assisted suicides of non-critical patients. If euthanasia were legalized, insurance companies could pressure doctors to withhold life-saving treatment for dying patients. Many religions prohibit suicide and euthanasia. These practices devalue human life.

Global Warming/Climate Change:

Liberal - Global warming is caused by an increased production of carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). The U.S. is a major contributor to global warming because it produces 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide. Proposed laws to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S. are urgently needed and should be enacted immediately to save the planet. Many reputable scientists support this theory.

Conservative - Change in global temperature is natural over long periods of time. Science has not shown that humans can affect permanent change to the earth’s temperature. Proposed laws to reduce carbon emissions will do nothing to help the environment and will cause significant price increases for all. Many reputable scientists support this theory.

Gun Control:

Liberal - The Second Amendment does not give citizens the right to keep and bear arms, but only allows for the state to keep a militia (National Guard). Individuals do not need guns for protection; it is the role of local and federal government to protect the people through law enforcement agencies and the military. Additional gun control laws are necessary to stop gun violence and limit the ability of criminals to obtain guns. More guns mean more violence.

Conservative - The Second Amendment gives citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Individuals have the right to defend themselves. There are too many gun control laws – additional laws will not lower gun crime rates. What is needed is enforcement of current laws. Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from obtaining guns. More guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens mean less crime. Full text of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

Healthcare:

Liberal - Support free or low-cost government controlled health care. There are millions of Americans who can’t afford health care and are deprived of this basic right. Every American has a right to affordable health care. The government should provide equal health care benefits for all, regardless of their ability to pay.

Conservative - Support competitive, free market health care system. All Americans have access to health care. The debate is about who should pay for it. Free and low-cost government-run programs (socialized medicine) result in higher costs and everyone receiving the same poor-quality health care. Health care should remain privatized. The problem of uninsured individuals should be addressed and solved within the free market healthcare system – the government should not control healthcare.

Homeland Security:

Liberal Airport security – Passenger profiling is wrong, period. Selection of passengers for extra security screening should be random. Using other criteria (such as ethnicity) is discriminatory and offensive to Arabs and Muslims, who are generally innocent and law-abiding. Terrorists don’t fit a profile. “…Arabs, Muslims and South Asians are no more likely than whites to be terrorists.” (American Civil Liberties Union ACLU) Asked on 60 Minutes if a 70-year-old white woman from Vero Beach should receive the same level of scrutiny as a Muslim from Jersey City, President Obama’s Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said, “Basically, I would hope so.”

Conservative Airport security – Choosing passengers randomly for extra security searches is not effective. Rather, profiling and intelligence data should be used to single out passengers for extra screening. Those who do not meet the criteria for suspicion should not be subjected to intense screening. The terrorists currently posing a threat to the U.S. are primarily Islamic/Muslim men between the ages of 18 and 38. Our resources should be focused on this group. Profiling is good logical police work. “If people are offended (by profiling), that’s unfortunate, but I don’t think we can afford to take the risk that terrorism brings to us. They’ve wasted masses of resources on far too many people doing things that really don’t have a big payoff in terms of security.” – Northwestern University Aviation Expert, A.Gellman.

Immigration:

Liberal - Support legal immigration. Support amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illegally (undocumented immigrants). Also believe that undocumented immigrants have a right to: -- all educational and health benefits that citizens receive (financial aid, welfare, social security and medicaid), regardless of legal status. -- the same rights as American citizens. It is unfair to arrest millions of undocumented immigrants.

Conservative - Support legal immigration only. Oppose amnesty for those who enter the U.S. illegally (illegal immigrants). Those who break the law by entering the U.S. illegally do not have the same rights as those who obey the law and enter legally. The borders should be secured before addressing the problem of the illegal immigrants currently in the country. The Federal Government should secure the borders and enforce current immigration law.

Private Property:

Liberal - Government has the right to use eminent domain (seizure of private property by the government--with compensation to the owner) to accomplish a public end.

Conservative - Respect ownership and private property rights. Eminent domain (seizure of private property by the government--with compensation to the owner) in most cases is wrong. Eminent domain should not be used for private development.

Religion & Government:

Liberal - Support the separation of church and state. The Bill of Rights implies a separation of church and state. Religious expression has no place in government. The two should be completely separate. Government should not support religious expression in any way. All reference to God in public and government spaces should be removed (eg., the Ten Commandments should not be displayed in Federal buildings). Religious expression has no place in government.

Conservative - The phrase “separation of church and state” is not in the Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” This prevents the government from establishing a national church/denomination. However, it does not prohibit God from being acknowledged in schools and government buildings. Symbols of Christian heritage should not be removed from public and government spaces (eg., the Ten Commandments should continue to be displayed in Federal buildings). Government should not interfere with religion and religious freedom.

Same-sex Marriage:

Liberal - Marriage is the union of people who love each other. It should be legal for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, to ensure equal rights for all. Support same-sex marriage. Opposed to the creation of a constitutional amendment establishing marriage as the union of one man and one woman. All individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, have the right to marry. Prohibiting same-sex citizens from marrying denies them their civil rights. [Opinions vary on whether this issue is equal to civil rights for African Americans.]

Conservative - Marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Oppose same-sex marriage. Support Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed in 1996, which affirms the right of states not to recognize same-sex marriages licensed in other states. Requiring citizens to sanction same-sex relationships violates moral and religious beliefs of millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims and others, who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

Social Security:

Liberal - The Social Security system should be protected at all costs. Reduction in future benefits is not a reasonable option. [Opinions vary on the extent of the current system's financial stability.] Social Security provides a safety net for the nation's poor and needy. Changing the system would cause a reduction in benefits and many people would suffer as a result.

Conservative - The Social Security system is in serious financial trouble. Major changes to the current system are urgently needed. In its current state, the Social Security system is not financially sustainable. It will collapse if nothing is done to address the problems. Many will suffer as a result. Social Security must be made more efficient through privatization and/or allowing individuals to manage their own savings.

Taxes:

Liberal - Higher taxes (primarily for the wealthy) and a larger government are necessary to address inequity/injustice in society (government should help the poor and needy using tax dollars from the rich). Support a large government to provide for the needs of the people and create equality. Taxes enable the government to create jobs and provide welfare programs for those in need. Government programs are a caring way to provide for the poor and needy in society.

Conservative - Lower taxes and a smaller government with limited power will improve the standard of living for all. Support lower taxes and a smaller government. Lower taxes create more incentive for people to work, save, invest, and engage in entrepreneurial endeavors. Money is best spent by those who earn it, not the government. Government programs encourage people to become dependent and lazy, rather than encouraging work and independence.

United Nations (UN):

Liberal - The UN promotes peace and human rights. The United States has a moral and a legal obligation to support the United Nations (UN). The U.S. should not act as a sovereign nation, but as one member of a world community. The U.S. should submit its national interests to the greater good of the global community (as defined by the UN). The U.S. should defer to the UN in military/peacekeeping matters. The United Nations Charter gives the United Nations Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security. U.S. troops should submit to UN command.

Conservative - The UN has repeatedly failed in its essential mission to promote world peace and human rights. The wars, genocide and human rights abuses taking place in many Human Rights Council member states (and the UN's failure to stop them) prove this point. History shows that the United States, not the UN, is the global force for spreading freedom, prosperity, tolerance and peace. The U.S. should never subvert its national interests to those of the UN. The U.S. should never place troops under UN control. U.S. military should always wear the U.S. military uniform, not that of UN peacekeepers. [Opinions vary on whether the U.S. should withdraw from the UN.]

War on Terror/Terrorism:

Liberal - Global warming, not terrorism, poses the greatest threat to the U.S., according to Democrats in Congress. Terrorism is a result of arrogant U.S. foreign policy. Good diplomacy is the best way to deal with terrorism. Relying on military force to defeat terrorism creates hatred that leads to more terrorism. Captured terrorists should be handled by law enforcement and tried in civilian courts.

Conservative - Terrorism poses one of the greatest threats to the U.S. The world toward which the militant Islamists strive cannot peacefully co-exist with the Western world. In the last decade, militant Islamists have repeatedly attacked Americans and American interests here and abroad. Terrorists must be stopped and destroyed. The use of intelligence-gathering and military force are the best ways to defeat terrorism around the world. Captured terrorists should be treated as enemy combatants and tried in military courts.

Welfare:

Liberal - Support welfare, including long-term welfare. Welfare is a safety net which provides for the needs of the poor. Welfare is necessary to bring fairness to American economic life. It is a device for protecting the poor.

Conservative - Oppose long-term welfare. Opportunities should be provided to make it possible for those in need to become self-reliant. It is far more compassionate and effective to encourage people to become self-reliant, rather than allowing them to remain dependent on the government for provisions. Copyright 2005, (revised 2010) StudentNewsDaily.com


So, are you what you thought you were? Or, is there room for change?

Some food for thought!

Decision 2012: War on Women, Part 2

Abortion is such a sensitive topic as we've already seen because there is NO clean cut line.  When a girl through no choice of her own loses her agency due to the malicious desires or power kick of some crazed lunatic rapist, it complicates things.  When drug addicted women lose the ability to make wise choices under the influence of a substance that physically and mentally changes her brain and her ability to decide right from wrong, this causes concern.  When a baby is forced to come into a world drug induced or is the result of incest or rape, decisions become  formidable. 

However, there is something fundamentally wrong about a girl who, through poor, unplanned choices of her own; relinquishes her responsibility through the act of abortion.  This begs the question. Does this become the responsibility of the American taxpayers? Are we expected to pay for their lack of preparedness?  

What we need is to figure out a way to educate these girls before they find themselves in these precarious positions.  We need to figure out what is at the root of this epidemic. Can this be blamed on poor education, poor social backgrounds?  I'm sure some would argue, and perhaps there is some truth behind those notions.  However, the brutal reality is simple; we have become a nation of selfish desires and we continue to exacerbate the idea of entitlement.

Should women wanting an abortion with no outlying circumstances be required to pay for their abortion?  Should certain circumstances be covered and others not? Is it possible to take into account those who legitimately require and possibility need an abortion, or should all women be allowed to terminate a pregnancy no matter the reason?

First, These girls need to get some birth control, and IF they cannot afford it, then we can step in and give them free birth control, or stop having sex and practice abstinence. It's FREE!
Second, I understand that things happen, so learn the first time around and stop the excessive use of unnecessary abortions in the United States just so girls don't have to deal with the consequences. 

Third, doesn't this all go back to the breakdown of the family?  Families continue to be attacked; and without kids having someone who can teach them integrity, morality, & responsibility; we will continue to see kids making adult decisions without the knowledge to do so adequately.

And finally, going back to accountability; only when we are held accountable for our actions do we learn lessons from tough choices.  Instead, we are giving these girls a free pass.  These girls, (And I am not talking about rape victims, etc.) act as if they are doing nothing wrong.

WE ALL have days where we wish we didn't have kids; where we wish we could lead another life free of diapers, poop, feedings, laundry, housecleaning, tantrums, and everything else moms get to deal with.  But, it in NO way negates the atrocity of abortion as a result of entitlement.

Planned Parenthood has proven time again that the rules do not apply to them.  In this video, Live Action goes undercover as a mother who wants to abort their baby if it is a girl.  In this particular interview, they are talking about waiting until the mom is around twenty weeks so they know what the sex is, and then are told, if at that time you find out it's a girl, you can abort it. My favorite part is, the Planned Parenthood advisor tells her, "you can get pregnant right after the abortion, I've had two abortions myself and I have two kids, so I know". The Planned Parenthood advisor never bats an eye. Apparently we are starting to follow China's lead, let's just throw our baby girls away. Sounds rational right?

"In 2009 Planned Parenthood received over $360 Million dollars of taxpayers dollars in government grants".  In 2010 they received over $500 million.  Taxpayer dollars are going to pay for girls to have abortions, and sometimes multiple abortions. Planned Parenthood would argue that their money is not allowed to go towards abortion, however the number of abortions are increasing, and the lack of credibility on their behalf is overwhelming. Unfortunate, considering in the beginning Planned Parenthood was probably created to truly advocate for women's rights.  Now, it has become a foggy mess of moral abandonment mixed with politics.

I understand that women want to be able to decide what happens to their body's.  Let's put the politics aside.  We are women, we were given the most powerful ability on earth, to bear a child.  No man can do this!  But girls are choosing every day that this incredible gift is not so great and they opt for the selfish and destructive act of abortion.

Women, we are smarter than this.  Stop having unprotected sex if you're not interested in having a baby.  If pregnancy occurs and it's not the desired outcome of the woman, choose life, and choose to give it to someone who wants it.  You have the right to decide whether you want to be a mother, or not.  But if you don't, KNOW that someone else does! Your selfless act will give you knowledge and the sweet assurance that out of this, what you may see as a tragedy, came a gift that someone else could not give themselves.  Think outside the box, become a surrogate mother and find a woman who WANTS your baby!

As mentioned in part one... a friend of mine made the argument that there are times when abortion may be necessary.  In the situation of abortion due to rape, incest, abuse, drugs, or in the event of death to mother and/or child,  I believe in these situations women should have the option to an abortion  These are sensitive subjects and their is no one who can make that decision except the individual who is living through that specific circumstance.

In the event of a woman choosing an abortion based purely off of her selfish and narcissistic desires... why not choose life?  YES, pro-life involves sacrifice on behalf of the mother carrying the child.  She may feel insecure, ridiculed, and scared.  But, I believe that when we base our decision on what is best for the baby, all involved can be blessed, including those on the receiving end of that beautiful baby.  Parents who could not give themselves what they so desired will forever be grateful & indebted to that individual for the selfless and beautiful gift that only she could give.

"Stand with Protect Our Girls to call for a nationwide ban on the unethical practice of sex-selection abortion in America."

*If you are interested in more information on Live Action click here.

Decision 2012: War on Women, Part 1

Please post your thoughts, pro-choice or pro-life!  The importance in this election is that women get out and vote.  We as women need to also realize that; without a job, without a paycheck coming in, without a good economy, without the ability to be hired, we are all only as good as the government leading us.  And if we are all out of work, and if we have nothing but debt hanging over our heads; our rights and liberties are going to do little for us.  So be smart and vote for what counts TODAY!

The right to choose life or death by abortion is the hottest topic among liberals these days.  Liberals love nothing more than to paint conservatives and their pro life views as "war on women".  Abortion.  How this has become the main focus of women's rights is beyond me; and the idea of FREE birth control.  Thanks to Obama's mandate, and Sandra what the Flucke! Like women who attend an ivy league school can't afford their own birth control.  But, that is a whole other issue now attached to women's rights, thanks to Obama.  I will leave that for another time.  

Whatever happened to all the major stepping stones that women fought for, right to vote, right to work, right to education, right to conscript, equal pay for equal work.  Have we allowed the liberals to whittle us away to nothing but whether or not we can decide to take a human life before that person can speak for themselves? This is such a hot topic, and in an effort to get my point across, this post is 1 of 2.

Original Post: Abortion

Abortion / Women's Issues: Either but mostly Obama I go back and forth on abortion all the time. I have the same view on abortion that Romney does, which is the same view that many (not all) Mormons have, which can be read here. I've also been thinking a lot about Elder Oaks' recent talk about protecting children. But I think it's not always a black and white issue. I've had two babies. I feel for every woman who has a baby, whether the baby was wanted or not. BABIES ARE A BIG FREAKING FAT DEAL. I have felt the feelings of wanting a baby to go away. (Every day much? Ha.) So, I guess I can just empathize. Whatever that means ... it's scary to say. I'm still figuring it out. As for women's issues in general, I favor Obama a bit more. Actually I favor Obama a lot more. Wow, women's issues are complicated for me. I must be a woman or something. (Anonymous)

Women's rights should not be about women choosing life or death for the unborn child.  I believe very passionately that we MUST stand up and fight on behalf of the fetus (since the baby cannot speak for itself). Instead, we have become numb to our inner moral compass.  We have been persuaded to believe that OUR selfish desires are more important. The ability to feel appreciation for human life has been lost.  This toxic reality is leading to the idea that we care more about ourselves, then for the life of someone else.  And yes, fetus' are human beings.

Anyone who has ever been pregnant cannot deny that there is life inside them (although they may try).  When you can feel, see, and experience the growth of a baby in your belly, it is difficult to deny the existence of that life.  That little baby, even in the beginning, is full of life.

Unfortunately for some the first thought is, I don't want it!  So, instead of giving it to someone who would do anything to have one, but can't; the girl chooses to kill it? Abortion is too nice of a word; it somehow softens the severity of what is actually occurring 

Every woman who has ever given birth to a child knows how hard it is.  Motherhood is the hardest job on earth.  We have all had those days, weeks, or even months, perhaps even years, where we wish we had another life.  I can attest to those feelings of craziness, and wishing you could escape to a deserted island where no one could find you, not even your husband.

I always love the women who don't have kids and how they glare at you any time you say anything like, "I could kill my kids today".  Why do they glare?  Because they want to know what it's like to want to kill their kid's.  These women would do anything to want to tie those little "basement trolls" up; as another fellow mom blogger put it .  Women who've tried and failed to have a baby would love to hate changing diapers, they would love to hate those midnight feedings, those thousands of dirty diapers, spit up on your brand new blouse, food in the hair,  and baggy eyes from lost sleep.  They would give anything to hear & see that winey 5 o'clock dinner time dance when mom is trying to get house cleaned, dinner on, and kids fed; just so she can have a moment of peace once the little hellions are in bed.

I feel for these women, because I know if I were in their shoes, I would be mourning the unborn child as well.  I would be angry, if not furious at the loss of every child that is so easily vacuumed away.  How can you tell this woman that her wants and desires are not as important as your right to kill a baby?

Lets say you COULDN'T have kids.  Would you be begging every girl out there who is having an abortion, to give you that baby?  Would you be begging her to just be selfless for nine months (and really your only showing for 4 or 5 of those months) so YOU could experience what it would be like to be a mother?

I remember vividly that fear before I even started having kids.  It was a very real fear.  Luckily I've been blessed with three kids who drive me absolutely insane almost every day of the year.  I'm positive I'm on the verge of a breakdown most days and my body may never be the same; but would I kill them, NO! Do I wish I'd aborted them, NO!  Would I regret it EVERY day of my life had I, YES!   I always wonder if these girls have asked their mom who was selfless enough to go through with their pregnancies if she'd wished she could've had an abortion. And what if she had? You wouldn't be here.

About a year ago I was involved in a charitable organization, I happened to work with a girl whose stance was pro-choice.  At that time she worked for the women's clinic in Salt Lake City.  She shared multiple stories of girls under eighteen, some as young as fifteen or sixteen who had been in for their second or third abortion. Some were as far along as five and a half months.  I was shocked that she saw nothing wrong with this.  She went on to tell me that they could not advise them on anything except birth control and if the girl wanted an abortion, they could not discuss the option of life if the girl did not want to.  This was shocking to me, because as a mother I know what a baby looks like at five & a half months.  At five & a half months when you go in for your ultrasound, you can see two eyes, ten fingers, itty bitty fingernails, ten toes, their belly button, their tiny little nose, little cute penis' for boys, girls little vajaja's, and most importantly the beautiful heartbeat; the four chambers of the heart are even visible.  There is no mistaking that at five & a half months, there is a human being in your belly.

So how does someone justify abortion?  How does a woman decide to end life?  And if she does, what effects will that decision inevitably take on her life, mentally and physically?

Somehow, there has to be another solution.  One that doesn't involve killing the life of another human being.  

Decision 2012: Energy

It's been a few days since I last posted concerning the political boiling pot, and with hurricane Sandy hitting the east coast Monday; sometimes these other topics seem less significant.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who have been hit by Sandy.  Thousands have lost homes, cars, property, and more importantly, life.  It's always amazing to me to see how generous the American people are.  So many donate money, time, and energy in helping to restore the lives of those suffering. Likewise, I am always in awe at the tenacity and optimism that exists among those hit the hardest.  In a time of tragedy such as this, it is amazing to see the country coming together!

With that said, election day is five days away and it is important to make sure that these critical topics don't get swept under the rug.  It is now more important than ever to ensure these, and other issues that will inevitably come to light in time, do not become static in the background.  Although energy is not one of the hottest topics among the political warfare, it will prove significant in the future of each of us as we strive to move forward in a time that has been so stagnant.  So, please when making a decision, be aware of what will help us move the country forward.  Fortunately, energy is something we as a country should utilize so that we CAN get the economy going in the right direction, as well as make the US a leader among energy.

Original Post: Energy

Energy / Environment: Obama In my great hometown of Roosevelt, Utah, it's drill baby drill ... and it's causing a boom here! It's very exciting. I'm serious. I, personally, having visited here for several weeks, am excited about this. It's great. And I support oil drilling. However, I support broader thinking in terms of cleaner energy. So, Obama for the win. (Anonymous)

Clean energy is great.  Obama, however well intended, has wasted millions of dollars on supposedly clean energy companies such as Solyndra, which has failed.  His attempts to turn moss into fuel seems a little ridiculous, especially at the expense of taxpayers dollars and our childrens future.  Romney wants to continue research in this area, however, he believes as do I, that it can be done in the private sector.  It has been proven that every time government steps into to make something better, that it has actually gotten worse.  One example is the Post Office.  They do it slower and are more expensive.  So UPS, FEDEX and other PRIVATE companies stepped in and have figured out a way to do it cheaper and more efficiently.  

In Florida there is an airport; they opted to hire a private company, rather than the government to come in and see if they could run the airport cheaper and more efficiently than the so called efficient government run airports.  What they have found is that they have shorter lines in their airport, they don't lose as many bags, they don't waste tax dollars on employing too many employees, and they don't tolerate apathy among their employees.   This occurs because the employees actually have to be good employees to KEEP their jobs.  Through competition, through incentives, they have found employees strive to do better, be more efficient, and work harder than their so called counterparts.  So instead of government run airports with long lines, delayed flights, unhappy travelers, and wasted tax dollars, they have a well oiled machine (no pun intended).  This private company has found a way through the PRIVATE SECTOR, and through COMPETITION, to DO IT BETTER! The government run airports have proven to be a sliver in the side of progression; among other government run programs.  Government employees have proven they are many times (not always) lazy and intolerant, wasting time and YOUR money. The government says WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER, Stossel says, "NO YOU CAN'T" (Stossel).

In John Stossel's new book "No, They Can't: Why Government Fails-But Individuals Succeed". John Stossel makes a strong argument, "The notion that government action is the best way to solve a problem. From the myth that government can spend its way out of a crisis to the mistaken belief that labor unions protect workers, Stossel, a true libertarian, provides evidence that the reality is very different from what intuition tells us. His evidence leads to the taboo conclusions that; Government already dominates health care and that’s the problem· The state keeps banning foods, but food bans don't make us healthier. Government-run schools and teachers’ unions haven’t made kids smarter".

This is the smartest concept I've heard and believe.  Any time you allow the private sector to work and compete, there will always be someone who will figure out a way to do it cheaper and more efficient than government run agencies.

Finally, we need oil.  Drilling is now so high tech that it can be done virtually without harm to the world around it.  Fossil fuels are a great example of that.  Take a geography class and you can learn more about fossil fuels. Clean coal is another resource we need to utilize.  There are many ways we can get energy.  These options are not bad, and yes, they also create much needed jobs in a horrible economy.  Gas prices are killing us, as they are many other American families.  Anyone who has felt the crunch of the economy, has felt it in their pocket books, especially in relation to the gas pumps.  I would love to see gas prices down under two dollars.  Anyone who says otherwise is not filling their own gas tank.

So, let's continue the progression of renewable energy and let's allow drilling for clean energy such as, fossil fuels, clean coal, etc.  Let's use the resources we have here in America.  This will allow us to become a self sufficient, and put us at the top of the ENERGY progressive movement!

Decision 2012: Obamacare

Again, in response to an original post which is shown below; I hopefully have laid out clearly why socialistic health care is not American and goes against everything our country was founded on. The freedom to choose!

Original post: Healthcare

"Obama, While Obamacare was poorly timed, I do think our current health care system on a national level is waaaaaaayyyyy too complicated and we'd do well to adopt a more socialist system... there I said it! P.S. The term "socialist" gets a bad rap in America ... I think there are many excellent things to learn from socialism.  Also Nicolas Kristof for president! He sums up a lot of what I think about health care needing to be more of a safety net (yes, even a mandated safety net!) wit that story.  The 6th paragraph from the bottom beginning with "My second argument..." really sums it up well I think.  So that's that." (Anonymous)

You're absolutely right, (pause) our healthcare system is NOT great.  We couldn't afford it before Obama, and we can't afford it now.  My own mother's insurance is going up under Obamacare, my son's good friend is primarily taken care of by his grandma, she was denied coverage for her grandson under OBAMACARE because her grandson has ADHD issues.  Another friend of ours who is a doctor down in Florida has voiced concerns about obamacare, saying it's going to limit the availability of good health care.  

I understand the plight about the cancer subject, my husbands brother also died from cancer while in college and did not have insurance. He left behind a wife, a child and one on the way. This is a huge issue in respect to the current health care system and it's limitability towards patients who have pre-existing conditions.  But, Obamacare has too many unknowns, too many issues that have  more to do with getting his people paid then taking care of those who need insurance or have pre-existing conditions.

Unfortunately insurance rates are rising, people are scared to hire more employees because they don't want to be forced to pay the required taxes if they don't comply, therefore limiting economic growth.  The bill included over 2000 or more pages of fine print and too many earmarks that have nothing to do with health care. Nancy Pelosi's "You'll have to pass it to know what's in it." is the best...what, are you kidding me?  So much for transparency.  Instead it was filled with a bunch of pork, promises, and funds for; again the companies who paid his way to the presidency.  Had he, the President been transparent, had the bill been transparent, and had it not been full of political jargon that has nothing to do with health care, then I do think it could have been okay.  

However, social health care is not good.  Jake (my husband) saw the effects of that over in England.  Hours and hours of waiting in the ER to see a doctor about an eye infection or the common cold.  If you think E.R. waiting room time is bad now, just wait for the effects of Obamacare to set it. You will foster an environment of doctors who don't care because they don't have to be competitive.  Anytime you take competition out of the marketplace you risk bad economics in all areas of growth, which we've already seen.  

Speak to anyone (okay there may be a few who favor socialistic health care), however the vast majority will tell you, IT IS A BAD IDEA! You are creating a generation (upon generation) of dependent people.  I should not have to pay for someone else's healthcare when they are not willing to go out and work for it themselves.  Yes, we are already paying for the uninsured, medicaid and parts of medicare patients healthcare.  Healthcare definitely needs to be revamped but Obamacare is not what we need.  It will not benefit the people and raising our healthcare costs by $4000 a year is not an improvement. 

The other issue I have with Obamacare, is the ability that the government will have to FORCE you to buy insurance, and if they don't think it's adequate, you will be taxed!

"Chief Justice John Roberts said this 'Buy health insurance or pay a tax. Your choice." They are sidestepping the issue by saying it is YOUR CHOICE. However, what they are not telling you is that you're still being FORCED to do one or the other.

In a piece written by Grace-Marie Turner, contributor to Forbes magazine titled "How Much Is The Obamacare Mandate Going To Cost you?" said this concerning Obamacare, "A family earning $120,000 will face a tax of $3,000 a year if they don’t buy health insurance with the government’s stamp of approval. For some, it will make sense to pay the tax and take their chances since health insurance companies will be forced to sell them a policy when they need it at the same price as if they had been paying premiums all along. That will, of course, send the cost of health insurance soaring....

Remember that the government will determine what health insurance policies meet its approval to satisfy the individual mandate. If citizens decide they prefer a different health plan, they would have to pay for that insurance as well as pay the new tax.

The individual mandate tax is only the newest in a long list of new Obamacare taxes, including a new 0.9% surtax on Medicare taxes for those making $200,000 or more ($250,000 joint) plus a new Obamacare 3.8% surtax on “investment income” for those in the same income categories. This added tax affects dividends, interest, rent, capital gains, annuities, home sales, partnerships, etc.

Over time, these new ObamaCare taxes will hit more and more middle income families. Recall that the Alternative Minimum Tax targeted only 155 taxpayers when the first version passed in 1969, but today it hits millions of people.

Now that the American people see that the Supreme Court didn’t rescue them from Obamacare, there is renewed focus on the details of the law. The individual mandate is only one of dozens of provisions that will slam into our economy, hitting American families like a freight train in 2014.

Grace-Marie Turner is president of the Galen Institute and a co-author of Why ObamaCare Is Wrong for America (Broadside/HarperCollins, 2011)."

Again, let me reiterate the importance of transparency, and the lack thereof on the part of the white house.  Romney has said there are some things in there that he will keep, but that the vast majority of it was full of loop holes, earmarks, and pork.  And lacked any real grounds for improvement as far as the healthcare system is concerned.  

Our country was founded on the FREEDOM to choose, and being forced to buy insurance no matter how rich or poor goes against everything our founding fathers fought for!

We should never be FORCED to do anything... food for thought.

Decision 2012: Foreign Policy

So in response to a post that I read on a recent blog, I found it interesting and am anxious to discuss.  I will only be posting quotes from their blog in an effort to not create biased propaganda.  Here is the first topic not in any specific order to which I would like to discuss. Since foreign policy is such a hot topic and continues to bring forth disturbing news which the main media doesn't seem to want to cover, I want to discuss it first. 

FOREIGN POLICY
Original Post:
"Obama, Let's be honest, I just think Hilary Clinton is doing a really good job as Secretary of State, keep her." (Anonymous)

Response:

I am surprised that your whole foreign policy lies on Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a major player concerning the whole Libya/Benghazi attack.  Rather than standing up and being straightforward & honest with the American people, Hillary Clinton chose to deceive us.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was not forthright in her information, and it now appears she was not only misleading, but completely incorrect in her (whitehouse) misguided assessment.  

The white house under the supervision of President Barrack Obama, not only encouraged her to mislead the American people but I believe they willingly used her and threw her under the bus so that they, the current Presidency would not have to take responsibility for what was being said. Clinton came out and said the attack was caused by a youtube video (as did the white house), and that there was a "spontaneous riot" which was the cause of this horrible attack.  As if this were some coincidental attack.  Never mind that it happened on the anniversary of  Sept. 11.  Then later Hillary Clinton came out and told us that IT was a terror attack.  I wish she would have spoken the truth in the beginning, the dems may have hated her for it, but Americans would have loved her honesty, and I think it would have benefited her efforts in the future.

She was in charge of making sure that our US Ambassador Chris Stevens had adequate support, however it was denied.  The Obama administration has apologized time and again for the US when they should have been standing strong.  On top of that they are trying to establish relationships with terrorists.  Since when do we make agreements to terrorists.  Since when do we make agreements with Jihadists and war-mongers. 

I have not been impressed with any of the foreign policies that have been established by Obama.  All I have seen is a weak, cowering man, coddling the very people who would love to see us all dead.  Obama needs to make the US look strong and yet he makes us look like we are weak.  He continues to apologies for freedom of speech and our previous policies. And as far as his sanctions go... never in the history of the United States have sanctions worked.  Not once.

He has failed to keep tight allies with Israel who has always been a very close ally;  you can see discontent anytime you see Obama pretending to try and help them.  Furthermore, Netanyahu appears "to have lost trust when it comes to the Obama presidency". Obama didn't meet with Israeli prime minister Netanyahu during the United Nations General Assembly in NY;  instead he thought it more important to go chum with the ladies on The View!  Or Letterman?  WOW! And the latest, MTV, a new low.  I am so proud that our American President feels it more important to look Hollywood than to look Presidential.  Israel has no idea where the President stands when it comes to Israel maintaining their freedom.  Romney was dead on in the Presidential debate when asked "hypothetically" if he got a phone call from Israel the night before they started bombing their enemies what Romney would do.  Romney was quick to respond, "let's not even go there, because I would have had the conversation with Israel long before it came down to that".  However, I can't help but wonder if Obama would be the one getting the call the night before, since Israel has little to no respect for our current President.

Again, in no way has the Obama team done anything to help us.  I wouldn't be surprised if Hillary Clinton distanced herself from the Obama team following this campaign.  He has done nothing to help her, rather, he has used her position as Secretary of State to ensure himself a scapegoat.  Hillary Clinton will most likely seek the Presidential office in four years; this whole fiasco has done nothing but make her and the democrats look untrustworthy, and as far as Hillary Clinton goes, unpresidential.

Back to Benghazi; five men dead, and Obama finally, two weeks later, admitted the attack on Benghazi was a terror attack.  Confirming what the rest of us already knew.  And still, they refuse to tell us exactly what happened.  ANOTHER FAILED TRANSPARENCY on the part of the President!

Most recent update: White house watched in real time the entire attack, they were asked three separate times for support, and on each occasion denied assistance.  The navy seal that died asked if he could go in and help.  He was told to stand down multiple times.  He chose to disobey orders,  risking his career and ultimately his own life after saving many many lives.  He died a hero, doing what was morally right, not what was politically correct. He did what was RIGHT.  It is unfortunate that our President lacks the same moral courage to stand up and fight for our men, our country, but rather, put his political agenda ahead of these men and their lives. This begs the question, is this who we want leading our country?