In the interest of full disclosure, let me begin by saying that I skew conservative. I am a registered Republican and a College Republican alumnus. I am also patriotic, both as an American and as a Montanan. I think that America is a land of incredible potential, and I am proud (usually) to call it my home. Moreover, I am a Montana girl, through and through. I take a fierce pride in that fact, and I am teaching my daughter to be proud of her own heritage as a Montana girl. A big part of my "Montana-girl-ness" is the ability and tendency to think for myself.
Ordinarily, I can't find the energy to even be interested in politics, let alone bothered by them, because I've got other things, much closer to home, that need my attention. I don't normally criticize politicians, either, because I know their job is a thankless one. In other words, I am not a ranting liberal who likes to rabble-rouse for the sake of it. However, I am disconcerted by some of the recent behaviour of our elected officials, and concerned for the future of my home state and the country as a whole. (For instance, the recently threatened government shut-down really irritated me. I was appalled by the suggestion that a group of full-grown adults who have been granted the privilege of representing their respective states in the Federal Government were threatening to "take their toys and go home" unless they got their way. I've seen better behaviour from toddlers.)
The following is a list of the specific issues that have given me pause of late.
Item 1- Gay marriage: I am a heterosexual female. But I really have no problem with gay marriage. In fact, in my considered opinion, any two consenting adults who love each other and want to get married should be allowed to do so. Without exception. Is homosexuality a sin? That's not for me to decide. But if it is a sin, that's between the person/people involved and God....in other words, it's neither my business nor does it affect me. I don't care if Tom wants to marry Joan or John, as long as he is a good neighbor and he keeps his dog out of my vegetable patch.
Item 2- Abortion: I am pro-life. I don't think I could ever choose to have an abortion. But, then again, I've never been in a position where I had to make that choice. More importantly, I would never, ever presume to make that choice for another woman. Furthermore, while I do "choose life", I don't feel the need to stand outside a family planning clinic with a placard (or something worse) and protest against abortion. The fact that I am mother to a tribe of children is testimony enough as to where I stand on the issue.
Item 3- "Entitlement" Programs: First of all, that is a really stupid thing to call programs like Food Stamps and WIC (or maybe it isn't....after all, everyone should be "entitled" to food.....) Secondly, it has always amazed me that the people who are the most vocally "anti-abortion" or "pro-life" are often the same ones who don't want to give public assistance to "Welfare Mothers". Sorry, but if you're going to encourage a woman not to terminate a pregnancy that she feels unequal to completing, then you also need to be willing to help her to feed, clothe and shelter the resultant child from that pregnancy. (It's called logic. Look into it.) Before you tell me that "Welfare Mothers just keep having more babies so that they can keep getting more benefits," let me remind you that whatever scheme their mothers may or may not be running, children have no agenda.
Item 4- "Christian" Conservatism: Someone very wise once told me, "If you're going to call yourself something, you'd better do your best to be the poster child for that thing." So, if a politician calls himself a Christian, they ought to do their best to be a model of Christianity. Which, by definition, means emulating Christ. Anyone who's read the New Testament knows that Jesus fed the hungry and healed the sick. Why then are so many of the so-called Christian members of the government so vehemently opposed to social assistance programs and universal healthcare? Wouldn't it be more Christian to help the "least of these" among us?
Item 5- Education Funding: Cutting back on funding for education is not a viable way to balance the budget. In fact, it is counter-productive. Let me break it down for you. An educated populace is an employable populace. An employable populace is a taxable populace. A taxable populace means more money in the coffers of the government. Reducing funding for education decreases the number of educated citizens, which can lead to higher unemployment. Higher unemployment, in turn, can lead to the two-pronged problem of higher demand for social services and fewer available tax dollars. It can also, in some instances, lead to criminal activity and a resultant need for incarceration of criminals. All of the above are more draining on the nation's finances than educational funding is. (Remember in Item 3 when I mentioned logic?)
Item 6- Environmental Protection: This is specific (but not limited) to Montana. I would be interested to see a show of hands as to how many of our elected delegates in Helena have actually read the Constitution of this great state of ours. Well, I have read it, and it guarantees the citizens of Montana "a clean and healthful environment". In fact, that venerable document says that "the state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations," and that "[t]he legislature shall provide for the administration and enforcement of this duty." (Montana Constitution, Article IX, Section 1, Subsection 1 and 2) Therefore, oh ye wise denizens in Helena who want to soften the environmental protections of our state, you are failing in your duties both as a Montanan and as a legislator. Beyond the constitutionality issue, weakening the state's environmental protection policies is fiscally irresponsible. The mainstays of the Montana economy are farming/ranching and tourism, both of which depend heavily on a healthy environment. By seeking to pass legislation that would loosen the environmental controls that are currently in place, you are undermining the very backbone of our state's economy. No wonder Governor Schweitzer recently referred to you as "bat-crap crazy."
I'm not sure when the Republican party took the detour from conservative to crazy. I suppose I wasn't paying close enough attention. But I do know that the GOP of today is something which that great Republican Congresswoman (and my personal heroine) Jeanette Rankin would not recognize. I think it's time to take a step back and remember what it means to be Conservative. (Hint: It's got nothing to do with begrudging our fellow citizens "luxuries" like food and education.)
1 comment:
Amen, my wise, wonderful friend, Amen.
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