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Politics...learning
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June 18, 2009
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I hate to admit it, but when it comes to politics I really don't know much. I can't debate b/c I don't know enough facts to back up my beliefs, however, they are still beliefs.
I rely on my husband, A LOT, for input into the political world. He and I share some similar and not so similar beliefs. I listen as much as I can and question what is what and why. I have learned a lot from him b/c he is able to comprehend and retain info like no other person I've ever met. He is my human-Wikipedia.
I'm not writing to get comments of hate and like. I am just writing b/c I want to say what's on my mind. To myself and whoever else wants to know it.
I have been one of those who didn't really realize the power of the government. I owe that to poor teaching through schooling. So poor that I didn't even know that Alaska was a state until my freshman year in college. It was a moment of pure embarrassment when a friend of mine sang the song about the states and came across ALASKA, to which I cried out in hysterics "ALASKA, Isn't a state, duh!!! LOL". I will never forget that moment. I wanted to know, was it just me who was shocked at the discovery of Alaska being a state, so I asked people from my HS if they knew that, and some did and some really didn't. Our geographical knowledge was almost non-existant. My husband is perplexed by my inability to know what states are north and south of where we live. I know the obvious like Maine (north) and Florida (south)...but those others in between, I couldn't tell you what they border. I have to laugh. I'm still learning.
Hubsy and I had a conversation in a car-ride yesterday about how he feels the school systems need to do a better job at making our young learn why things are so important and how they directly affect us (without a biased view-point). Maybe some schools do that already, but not where I come from. What we learn in grammar school counts to a small degree. Yes, I learned about the states, but after the week or two spent learning them, I never reviewed them again. Once isn't enough.
I have FINALLY felt the impact, directly, on myself from the government. Hubsy and I were married for less than 3 months last year and we felt the pain of it in tax season. "Congrats, you guys 'EARN' a living that is in a higher tax bracket, so now, b/c you EARNED it, we will take more from you! muuuhahahahahaha." Mother f-ers.
We are not 'RICH', but apparently we aren't 'Middle Class' either.
I heard it mentioned that middle class should be considered those who live life paycheck to paycheck. Yes sir. I fit in that category. We do not drive fancy cars or wear designer labels. We pay our bills and don't really have a savings. We aren't living 'beyond' our means, but with the taxes hitting us -- what's the point of EARNING the salaries we have? I'm happy to say, I am no longer working F/T (not due to taxes). It is nice knowing we won't be hit as hard next year so long as I don't make the same salary I made last year. ;) -- so much for wanting to earn more and grow and prosper.
This is when it all hit me. Taxes, government (nationally and state-wide) was pissing me off. I started to do some research online to figure out WHY WHY WHY! I didn't really know what I was looking for though. I wasn't familiar with the terminology or how to stay away from biased-ness (that a word?).
I am a registered Republican, though I do not 100% conform to the republican viewpoints. I have some common interests with the Democratic party, but less so than the republican, so that is why I am registered Republican. At the time I registered, I didn't know or consider my other options besides the 'big 2'. I have been researching my other options, but at the moment, I have not been able to find a party in which I WANT to belong to.
This leads me to a WONDERFUL letter that I'm sure has circulated the net incredibly. It represents me the most (but still not to a T).
Here is an excerpt:
"Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care. Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now."
Read the rest here. I enjoyed reading something that wasn't written by a politician or political advisor, but from a regular person like you or me. I am researching topics listed in the letter, b/c I don't really know what everything is about. What I do know is that the more I learn, the more anxiety builds.
Which now leads to the interview between Glenn Beck & the author of the letter.
"... I don't want this. I don't want this fight ... I don't have the time or the energy or the financial resources for it, but that no longer matters. It no longer matters that I'm able or that I want this fight. I have to take it on. It's not a matter of choice anymore ..."
For reals yo. That's all --- for now.Labels: politics |
| posted by Typette @ 12:11 PM |
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2 Comments:
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i'm in the same boat on the states thing...i don't know, and still don't for the most part, what states are where....even if i've been to them.
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Hey girl! I started getting more politically "savvy" in the past 6-7 years I'd guess. I always knew I was a "Republican" b/c I believed in less government and less governmental control. But the more time goes by the more it al lhits me. I can debate on some topics, but I too can't retain the little itty bitty details. Now for me, that's my Dad. I will most likely remain a registered republican even though the republican party is very sad these days with more and more in common with the democratic party. My Dad is an Objectivist and adheres 100% to Ayn Rand. I too agree with her views, although I'm still learning it all. But it's basicaly straight individual rights. Taxation is theft - and it really is. It's taking from us and giving to others. Forced charity is not charity at all but income redistribution.
And yes, I work part time and this year we are out of the running for the homestead rebate. So much for property tax reform. Thanks Corzine - that's an 18% or so property tax INCREASE on us!
So I won't go on and on. Keep reading and learning - that's what I do. Just try to keep your head on your shoulders. Mine nearly blows off when I get worked about it. LOL
And in case you're interested, here's my Dad's blog - all political. He puts a whole different spin on it than most. Individual rights as a moral issue - which it is yet never described that way. :)
www.principledperspectives.blogspot.com
Pass it on to Mike too - he might be interested in it.
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i'm in the same boat on the states thing...i don't know, and still don't for the most part, what states are where....even if i've been to them.