Hi
This blog will attempt to start an agenda for some social issues. The first one that comes to mind is the issue of abortion and right to life. Make no mistake about it, I am extremely opposed to abortion. in my opinion it is akin to murder. I firmly believe that life begins at conception. At this point I have a small difference with my friends on the religious right. This difference is the way I perceive the framing of the issue. In my opinion it should not be the center piece but an ancillary issue. Like it or not, abortion is only important to a small segment of the general population,mostly the anti abortion crowd. I don't propose a compromise of ideals but rather a pragmatic approach. Definitely keep the pro life stance, constantly defend and further it but at the same time don't make it the prime mover. Ideals are great but they don't win elections, and in order to further our cause we need to win. With victory in elections the conservatives can then emphasize the ideals which we proudly feel, and these conservative politicians would be in a position to enact legislation to further the conservative cause. Isn't this better than losing?
A second issue which can be implemented immediately is the advocacy of a law making English as the official language of the United States. In the 2008 election cycle I saw signs where the voters were directed to election polling places, not only were the signs bilingual but the foreign language was actually more prominent than the english. If I saw this, didn't others? How do you think that went over? Just remind people that every where a multi lingual nation was allowed to exist the consequences was a disaster. None survived. I know I don't want this for the United States.
A third issue which I would push is the issue of equal opportunity. Here I feel it is imperative to distinguish this from affirmative action. Under equal opportunity the person is given an equal chance to get a job, housing, loans, etc. For too long we have allowed the liberals to claim this issue. Just remind them that the Equal Opportunity Act was passed by Congress with republican help, liberals like Al Gore, Sr and Fulbright ( Clinton's mentor ) and our old KKK buddy, Robert Byrd opposed this. Why haven't we heard about this, why are we called the racists? We definitely need to make our case.
As the blogs keep coming I will go over more of my ideas, stay tuned.
Now I ask that you pray for our service people.
GOD Bless
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2 comments:
Hey, Joe. This is Pamela Bass from the Post. Love your blog--lots of real and thoughful opinions on alot important issues.
As you know, I am a blue heart in a red state. I did not inherit this from anyone--my parents are both Goldwater republicans and I was raised in a very conservative home. When I got older and moved away did I finally realize that I just didn't feel the way they do about politics and social issues. I used to be rather militant about it all, however, have moved to the center over time. Jim is a true conservative and I think you and he would agree on alot of issues.
I am pro-choice regarding the abortion debate. That is NOT to mean I think everyone should run out and have one--it is a very personal issue and should be approached with a great deal of thoughful consideration and soul-searching. In other words, abortion should be legal to obtain but the use of it RARE. If people gave more thought to what they were doing physically on the outset then this might never have to be considered at all. I always had a problem with only the woman having to take the brunt of an unplanned pregancy and the man can choose to just walk away. If there were more of a dire consequence for the man I am certain that HE might be more careful and not put himself in that sort of situation without adequate protection.
Alot of this is because of the social expectations of women and men--like apples and oranges and what was good for the goose didn't always apply to the gander. Women need to take more responsibility for their reproductive personas and take care as well to protect themselves in situations of casual sex.
You are right about so many of those on the right are "single-issue" and that does not apply well in political elections overall. The self-named "religiios right" was brought on board to the republican party in the 80s and it worked for a great while, however, over time in-fighting over the religious tenets versus the true conservative ideal have caused alot of rift. This is were I truly believe in separation of church and state. I think the republican party can keep a great deal of its conservative platform and eschew the religious zeal in alot of it because religion is like one's own skin--everyone has their own and don't exactly want what someone else has.
Bottom line is I think alot of people really got tired of the republican acting like they "owned" the right to be named a Christian and that is just not so.
Keep on writing Joe. See you and DeeDee at the Post on Thanksgiving? We'll be there.
Pam:
Thanks for your response. You were a conservative so there is hope for you. (HA) I am going to address the issue of abortion in a future blog, soon I hope.
My biggest fear is the liberal mindset, they think that since the Supreme Court has approved the right to an abortion then, if the woman cannot afford one, the state (the people) will pay. Even Giuilliani has expressed this idea, so it isn't just democrats. More on the subject later.
Thanks again.
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