gays and other social problems that divide us.

So, in the last few months the media and all kinds of politicians have been throwing us into all kinds of debates. Honestly, I love to watch these things and I really like to share my opinions but I know they aren't treasured on Facebook, nor do I believe that is the place to talk about them. It makes me too angry, so I choose to blog about them.

I love to think about the issues, I like to put myself in that person's footsteps, and see why they think they way they do. According to my bible there are several verses that condemn homosexuality, but in the same bible there are several other verses that condemn other things. Should I not eat pork? Should women be silent in the church? Should we not have tattoos? And if we really believe the bible, we shouldn't worship God on Sunday, because it should be done on Saturday. The point I am trying to make is that it's hard to distinguish what is cultural and what isn't. I have never been gay, nor do I understand being gay. But I do know that it's not something that someone can just turn off. We are sexually attracted to things without knowing why. For example, I am really attracted to Asian women--what if that was against the scripture? I can't explain why I am attracted to Asians, but I just am. It just happened that was part of my life. I honestly cannot see anyone just making "gay" up. Now, I know there are people that are gay that just want attention, I have observed that. But I just can't wrap my head around people that are just being gay. So, if that's the case then how in the world can I begin to understand it? I need to leave it alone, and just accept them as people and love them as God expects me to love them.

Despite what I feel about the issue, I have to think about what marriage is. Marriage to me, is something that is holy union between two people. Every religion has a ceremony of some kind to recognize marriage. Evangelicals have acted like the "Biblical Marriage" is the only marriage. Did people in the bible times get married too? Where they recognized? Are Islamic marriages recognized as real marriages? Or Atheist marriages? Well, I just don't know about that. The fact of the matter is, we live in a country that is part of many groups of people. It's not right, to force our religion on any group of people. If a religious person or church chooses not recognize to a marriage, thats great (thats your right.) But, it's not right to expect all people to live up to our beliefs or create laws that enforce our beliefs. The state and the church are two separate entities and there should be no greying of the lines between them.

If the founding fathers wanted to live in a theocracy, then they would have created one. They didn't because they weren't Christians to begin with. I know that may come to a shock to a lot of people- but Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin were all Deists (which is really an agnostic.) the founding fathers understood that we should keep our religious opinions and thoughts away from the state. They had spent time under a theocratic government.

Put yourself in a persons shoes, and understand that a person has a right to hare life with whomever they like. They are going to do it anyway, and there really is nothing we can do about it. Unless we wanted to enforce anti-sodomy laws and that would put the government in the people's bed rooms...which I don't think any person supports.

I say all of this to say, I know I hold a minority viewpoint here in Texas. I know I am probably the only one in my family that has this opinion. But, I  have spent time and reflection on this issue and I just feel that it's not right to extend rights to some people in America. I am a social libertarian, which means I believe the government has no right to legislate social laws. I do not see the danger in letting people make decisions on their own. I don't think it endangers marriage, anymore than the fifty percent divorce rate. Which brings up another valid point, did you know that the divorce rate in the church is higher than the world?

Who is confused about marriage???? Its hard to accept that truth...but honestly, I believe that no one really knows what marriage is.

Personal opinion

Since I am not on Facebook, I can freely express what I want to say here. I have always been an independent thinker. Its no surprise or shock that I vote primarily Democratic, but I praise some Republicans if they vote along with educators and things that I hold dear. I am not for abortion, so before you throw that in my face- I just want to make that clear.

I just find it funny that people do not research things on their own. They trust Fox News, MSNBC, CNN or whatever it may be to tell them the facts. The problem with this is that they are in the business of opinionated journalism. I do admit, I watch MSNBC because it matches my progressive world view, as you watching Fox News supports your Conservative world view. But, I do not stop at their word, I like to look at things.

I did not support the Affordable Health Care Act at first. I thought it was complicated, I didn't understand it, and I just didn't understand why Obama focused on this, when he could have focused on the economy. And although, I still agree with the latter- I do understand something needs to be done about our health care. In this state, 25% of the people do not have Health Insurance that's the highest in the nation. Yet, Rick Perry and all the Conservative blow hards do not accept this at all. They act, like everything is okay. Texas will benefit the most from Obamacare, and just wait and see in 2014, if it works people will love it. But exhausting all the scenarios of health care it doesn't matter if it was a Republican idea first, it doesn't matter if it isn't socialism- people in this area, will believe what they want. The fact of the matter is, there is no other way to control Health Care costs without doing an individual mandate. You have to put everyone in the pool, to cover the high risk individuals. The only other way to do this, is to have a public option.

I was against the individual mandate, but I think I found a common thread that will bridge the gap between Conservative and Liberal ideals. Conservatives believe that purchasing and health care in a whole is a personal responsibility. And Liberals believe that Health Care is a fundamental right for all people. The Individual mandate marries these two ideals, in a way that makes sense to me. We as the American people have a collective responsibility to drive health care costs down. We have the responsibility to cover ourselves, and if you don't why should the rest of the people cover you? If we did that, we might as well have a public option. I firmly believe that the exchange will help Insurance companies rates competitive and that most Americans will find a way to purchase affordable health care. Those that can't afford it, can get a credit or may even qualify for Medicaid. I believe that Health Care is a right and a collective responsibility and this health care law does both.

I am no expert on how all of this will work. But even I understand, that the health care system cannot be sustainable unless everyone is covered under it. I understand that everyone has to purchase it, without everyone purchasing it, it doesn't do any good.

How is this socialism? How is extending health care to millions a bad thing? And furthermore, if the current system is so great... then why are we even having this debate?

I recommend you go visit the William Kaiser Foundation yourself, and watch the videos and read the information. You can also read the law and abridged parts of the law, for yourself and see what it is all about. My greatest advice is to question everything you hear, be it a Progressive voice or Conservative voice. They are being paid to spin news and opinion.

I wish I was making this up...

From the 2012 Texas Republican Party Platform-


Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority. 



American Identity Patriotism and Loyalty – We believe the current teaching of a multicultural curriculum is divisive. We favor strengthening our common American identity and loyalty instead of political correctness that nurtures alienation among racial and ethnic groups. Students should pledge allegiance to the American and Texas flags daily to instill patriotism. 



Traditional Principles in Education – We support school subjects with emphasis on the Judeo-Christian principles upon which America was founded and which form the basis of America’s legal, political and economic systems. We support curricula that are heavily weighted on original founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and Founders’ writings.

Why Obama will win in 2012

Despite any effort made by the Republican party, Barack Obama stands a re-election in 2012. And my friends, I can rest assure you America will not be destroyed in 2016.

I find it funny when Republicans scream, "Obama destroyed our country! He destroyed our economy!" And then when Obama talks about the Bush administrations mistakes, they scream "He shifts blame to Bush." Now let me ask you something, If you are stating facts about what the previous administration are you really shifting blame? You aren't shifting blame, you are stating facts of why our economy is complete junk right now. We spent too much, and although Obama hyper-spent the first few years of his term, a move that was not smart on his part- the fact is that Bush grew government, did several HUGE bailouts, started two wars without any path to pay for them,etc... He is your king of Conservatism? The truth of the matter is there isn't too much of a difference in Obama or Bush in method. Both advocated big spending to get us out of predicament.

A reason why Obama is going to win, is that the Republicans candidate is one of the worst I have ever seen. Romney is way too liberal for the ever increasing right-extreme growing Republican party, and he just can't reconcile that. Romneycare is already a deathblow to his campaign. Anytime he talks about Obamacare-- He will throw it in his face. And guess what? Once people really know what Obamacare will entail to the rest of the country and to our health system--they will actually agree with it.

Another Romney problem is his wealth! Romney won't release his tax forms, and Obama already has-- Obama is making 800,000 or something like that--which although is still A LOT of money... he does seem like "one of us". Obama is going to paint Romney is as one of those people that got us in economic trouble. The 1%. He is going to use, and is already using class warfare.

In the end, it will be a close election- but Obama is going to win. We might as well not even try this...

As for me?

Well honestly, I am already decided. My vote will not be for Obama but more of a vote against Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney's rhetoric about Planned Parenthood, cutting Education, and just his behavior is enough for me to keep voting Democrat.

I don't agree with all of Obama's political tactics, nor do I think he's been an amazing President. But he has done more than we realize, and a lot of it is unnoticed.

I guess it's time, to give him a second chance.