What Do I Believe?

I know that many times...I am far too passionate and dare I say "obnoxiously" outspoken. I tell my wife often that I really wish that I had the ability to "walk on by"..."keep my mouth shut"...overall just learn to ignore things that "irritate" me. At 33...it only seems to be getting worse so maybe I should spend less time worrying about it and spend more time embracing who I am.

Over the last year...these blog posts have come and gone...sporadic to say the least. There are so many things that I want to say on a daily basis...but quite honestly...my ramblings can be exhaustive...even to me. I'm pretty sure that not only have these posts at times "offended"...I have ultimately lost friends as a result of my political thoughts and musings. It is NEVER my intention to hurt anyone's feelings...or make them angry. Do I wish at times more people thought like me? Of course...that is human nature. We all want to be surrounded by "like thinking" people who serve to boost our ego. However...I consider myself a student of life...always absorbing new ideas and perspectives. Differing opinions are FAR from lost on me...I assure everyone that I tend to rethink my own views on a daily basis.

While it may be hard for some to believe...I'm not some "uber-liberal" bleeding heart who believes that we all should live in a commune...share our belongings and dance naked by the moonlight under a cloud of bong smoke! So what do I believe??

 I DON'T believe that guns should be outlawed; I DO believe in "responsible" regulation which includes background checks EVERYWHERE...not just in stores (see Gun Shows). I DON'T believe that religion should be "removed" from everything...but I also DON'T believe ANY religion should be shoved down people's throat just because it is the prevailing sentiment of the majority (see Church of England.) I DON'T"personally" believe in abortion...but I don't have the right to tell a woman what she can do with her body. Would the world be a better place if no one had an abortion...of course. Is it a horrible process to think about...of course. Can I put myself in a pregnant woman's shoes and presume to have the power to sway such a life altering decision...absolutely not! I DON'T believe that homosexuals, blacks, mexicans or any minority should receive "special treatment"...but I DO believe they should receive EQUAL treatment. I DON'T believe that we all have the RIGHT to be wealthy or educated...I do think we have the RIGHT to be healthy and medically taken care of (if we in turn do our part to take care of ourselves!)

 I DON'T believe ALL conservatives/Republicans are stupid, backward or less intelligent ...I DO think there are "fringe" aspects of this group who ARE and I think they stand to not only hurt their party but this country as well. I DON'T think Barack Obama has been a "perfect" President...nor would I even say he's been a "great" President...I DO think he has done a remarkable job with the hand he was dealt. I DON'T believe that Barack Obama is a muslim...I DO believe that his religion is quite frankly a moot point either way. I DON'T think ALL muslims are evil terrorists...I DO think those who are should be removed from this earth by any means necessary. I DON'T think that Barack Obama was born outside this country...I DO think that if he was...it would be IMPOSSIBLE to cover up.  I DON'T think political "debate" should be about innuendo, rumor and propaganda...I DO think that disagreements and civil discourse based on educated thought and processes are imperative to not only our growth as a country but our growth as a "people." I DON'T think it is important what types of books our President chooses to read in his spare time...I DO think it is important that he READS BOOKS!! I DON'T think that Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton are "good" people...they are "race baiters" who have made millions off the fear, ignorance and sadness of others...I DO believe that most black people are smart enough to recognize that!! I DON'T believe that any of the things that I justy said will make a difference in the way many of you view my beliefs and/or politics...I DO believe that no matter what...people are basically good...and in spite of the fact that we may disagree...at the end of the day...we are all the same...weak, frail, fractured, damaged beings who desperately want to be liked and/or loved.

 I'm not a socialist...I'm not an atheist...but more importantly...I'm not a FOLLOWER! I'm just like you...a son, a spouse, a parent...someone who sees the world with his own vision and desperately wants a strong framework in place for his little girl. At the end of the day...we all have a long journey to complete. We just can't seem to agree on the destination. God bless you all... that includes my friends and those who detest me.

Until next time...