Posted on 01/19/2007 6:28:23 AM PST by knowseverything
As I approach 30, I am beginning to look back on the scraps of wisdom I have gained thus far in my life. I look at the man I have become and find that it is harder and harder for me to relate to he views of most people every day.
From my early teens to mid 20s I have had a major interest not so much in politics, but in the issues of the day, where certain demographics in this country came down on each of these issues, and why. The last couple of years however have been increasingly frustrating because I have begun to finally realize that I really don't fit into any of these major groups. This shock is added to by the fact that as a reader and viewer of politic happenings at home and around the world I am well aware of terms such as “fringe right-winger” and “secular progressive liberal”. TV hosts, reporters, and columnists are increasingly shooting for the center and denouncing these “fringes”. I can only assume, this is to to keep their viewer pool alive and well. On the right fringe, I had always envisioned the guy living in Montana, dressed in camouflage, building bomb shelters in his back yard and stock pilling supplies for Armageddon. Only recently have I realized that the real fringe right wing extremist, is me.
I have realized that not only my stance on the issues, but my particular way of prioritizing them puts me in the minority these days even among so called, fellow Republicans and conservatives. (and I can hardly claim to even be a Republican anymore, even if this means I now have no one to vote for)
First and foremost I am pro-life, from conception. That's right, I'm a crazy nut bag who believes God created my life, and even if at the beginning it looked like a tiny sac of cells, he still knew me. This also puts me against all embryonic stem cell research of any kind, REGARDLESS of any miracles it may produce. (which it hasn't) This apparently places me at odds with “science and progress” in today's society.
I am not pro-Iraq war or anti-Iraq war, however I know we must win it at this point or things will get much worse for our country. I do know one thing though; With situations like this in the hands of the President of the United States, it is vital that every President we elect be an honest, moral man. While I do not agree with his handling of many other issues, I believe we have that in G.W. Bush.
I am anti-gun control not because I like to hunt, but because every American citizen should have the right to defend himself and his family. I also believe that the most dangerous entity to threaten the law abiding citizen will likely be his/her own government. Although, I generally wear slacks and not camouflage, this belief pretty much lumps me in with the camo/militia guys in Montana.
I am anti-gay marriage, and also anti-”letting homosexuality become the norm in our modern culture”. Though probably too late on the latter. I believe the institution of marriage is the backbone of a moral society because it provides for the raising of children by a mother and a father as God designed. However, I am not anti-gay people. They are sinners like me, you, and everyone else on the planet. We should not however have to embrace the sin as a society.
I am anti-illegal immigration. Not because I'm a racist and hate people of a different shade, but because I believe all “immigrants” should obey our laws, come here legally, and once they do, embrace this country as their own.
I am anti-”having the government take my hard earned money and giving it to those who do not work when they are physically able to”. Enough said there.
These are just a few main examples but let me add that all of my beliefs do not stem from the fact that I want my paycheck to be more each month, or that my parents brainwashed me for 18 years. They stem from the fact that I am a Bible believing Christian. That's right, I believe there was a real Noah's Ark, Jonah really lived in a fish for a few days, evolution is a crock, and of course God sent His only begotten Son to atone for the sins of the world 2000 years ago. Yes, I am truly a nut case to most.
I have also found in the last couple of years that while I used to think I was Republican, as I have voted so in every election since I was 18, I now find I have very little in common with most “Republicans” I run into these days. So the problem I, and those like me face going forward is there is no longer any representation for us “extreme right wing zealots” anymore. I will not ever abstain to vote, and it appears no one candidate will ever again meet even a majority of my requirements. So unfortunately for me, it will have to come down to finding someone who is pro-life, closing my eyes, and pulling the lever.
-knowseverything
I think maybe this belongs on your profile page
The experience of caring for children is what makes us caring human beings. Everything else is sophistry. Your head will continue to spin in circles until you focus on that which is most important in life - your family and children.
It is good to know that you have learned some things, IN SPITE of having been through the public school system. I believe that their is a huge number of people out there who believe exactly as you do.
nuconvert is correct; and btw, you're probably still more liberal than half of the freeper population.
Well written! Always good to know that some younger people use thier head and common sense. I agree with everything you wrote. I had a discussion with a friend yesterday about being a conservative today seems to be a man alone on an island. We live in Richmond, VA where Gov Kaine, Sen Webb have taken over. Other "conservatives" in our office have started the old "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" BS and it makes you wonder about this country and where it's headed. People throw in the towell so quickly over anything that represents a hassle. The War in Iraq, higher taxes, turning into a blue state et al is met with a "Oh Well" attitude. Good post on your part!
I concur with most of what you say, especially the level of frustration at finding the "perfect" conservative candidate.
Years ago, watching an old Bill Buckley interview, he said "I vote for the most conservative viable option"...it is not perfect, but it has made it easier for me to join the practicalities and the realities of politics with my individual, opinionated views.
For me, the advent of Fox news and the internet was like a swift kick to the gut....I knew at some level I had spent the better part of my life not getting the full story, but there was an actual feeling of loss and disappointment (as dorky as that sounds) when I realised the depths to which Rather, Brokaw and Jennings betrayed my trust...
Makes sense to me. I don't think of myself so much as "pro-life" as "anti-abortion". Sadly, capital punishment is necessary for the safety of the rest of us and self-defense should always end up with harm or even death to the aggressor. I personally have no interest in going into the woods to kill my dinner, but might change my mind if there weren't grocery stores readily available. We are left with very little to actually vote for and what we do vote for seldom happens anyway, so I can agree to the simple "pro-life" standard. Not that it's not subject to the same deceit and obfuscation as everything else, but, if I do my best to ascertain that there aren't good reasons to believe the candidate is lying about their position, I've voted in good conscience.
Or something to that effect...
Just wait until you approach 60 and realize that "Lord of the Rings" wasn't just a book/movie but something you are living through.
Kind of explains why the left is so frantic over the rise of FNC. They know that the truth is spoken by Brit Hume, every day!
> As I approach 30
Sounds like you have your head screwed on pretty straight to me.
Even for such a young pup, who still knows everything.
"Just wait until you approach 60 and realize that "Lord of the Rings" wasn't just a book/movie but something you are living through."
YES, YES, YES. A metaphor for our times. Must history always repeat itself?
All I can say to a 30 year old is get involved and learn what it takes to get things done. It all you do is vote every few years, you can't expect much. Don't succomb to the Lone Ranger syndrome which at its most extreme will have you conclude that you need to isolate in a cabin like Ted Kazinski.
To bad the Republican party has moved away from this kind of voter .... because he is just like me.
See, getting older isn't so bad . . . especially when you consider the alternative.
Me too.
My oh my, I thought I was alone! Great piece!
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