Now coming to you on Monday Nights!
There is one thing that really does bother me about the
groups and individuals that scream at the top of their lungs about injustices
and blah blah blah. Now, I’m not saying
that I don’t see the value in what they are doing or envy them for having the
brass balls to stand in protest, risking their freedom and sometimes their wellbeing.
What I am saying is that these people don’t necessarily represent me or the
core of my beliefs. In point of fact, many times when confronted by these people
in a normal circumstance, I end up being the oppressed.
Here is the root of the problem:
I am a moderate, like most people, and as such, I am a little
conservative about some things and a little liberal about others. Let’s list
some of my “political” views:
Liberal
1.
Equal rights should be extended to all regardless
of physical, sexual, or theological standing.
2.
I am for public schools and enriching their
ability to educate our children.
3.
We need to find an alternative fuel source.
4.
I support the separation of church and state.
Conservative
1.
I legally own fire arms and see it as my right
to do so.
2.
I support the death penalty.
3.
Big government is encroaching on my rights as an
individual.
4.
Private property is that and in no way should it
be simply seized by the government no matter the “compensation”.
Fuzzy middle stuff
1.
Abortion should be looked at for what it is, a
medical procedure. Therefore it should be regulated to a certain degree, but
not made illegal or unobtainable.
2.
Welfare and Social Security need a major
overhaul; however, it should not be privatized by any means.
3.
Healthcare desperately should be made affordable,
but should not be forced upon the public.
4.
Taxes should be taken on income base equally. In
other words something like 5% (just a number from a hat not the percentage I
actually think should be taken) from everybody.
So there are my views on the big issues. Oddly enough, this
causes an issue. I happen to be a very extroverted person (even though I
secretly think everybody hates me and my friends are only my friends out of
pity, but my psychosis is a discussion for another day) therefore I talk to
just about anybody. On top of this, I have been gifted with the superpower of
charisma. I’m all bright and shiny until I mention my guns or my sexuality. I
get eye rolls or disapproving humdrum. Most often than not, this somehow prompts
a lecture from said extremist about how whatever is evil, bad, wrong, whatever,
whatever. Even worse, any attempt to defend and/or explain my view is dismissed,
ignored, or trampled on. I’m expected to simply take it and then change my
opinion at the end of it.
My opinion was shaped through thirty years of experience and
extensive research. I find this response terrible, prejudice, and small minded.
I go into voting booths having educated myself on all candidates and issues. There
is this sense of a power high I get researching things. I can honestly say that
no speech or discussion or rant has ever moved me to change my ideas. What
speeches and discussions do move me to do is to research and pull out all the
facts to make an educated choice.
So, what am I getting at? If liberals and conservatives can
get in my face about it then I should be able to get in their faces about what
I believe in. I am going to be an in-your-face moderate. For a large span of
time I’ve moaned about there being no voice for us that are caught in the
middle. Then I realized that I have a voice, a very loud voice, and I can talk
loudly at people.
