People who know me know that I tend to get pretty fired up about politics and certain issues. I have pretty solid beliefs, and to be honest, I enjoy discussing (read: debating) many of those beliefs with individuals who have different viewpoints. (Although I learned earlier this year that at least one of my friends doesn’t like it when I do this …).
Most of the time, you’ll find me rallying alongside Republican politicians and Conservative leaders. I really don’t consider myself to be fully aligned with Republican as I’m really more of a cross between a Republican & a Libertarian, but I usually end up putting my votes and financial support behind Republican candidates.
My only real issue with Republican ideology is the desire to manage a number of social issues which, frankly, are private and should not be debated or legislated at the federal level. I have my personal views on the “big issues” like gay marriage, abortion, and the like, but as far as I’m concerned, those are private, individual matters which should be left to individuals to decide and determine for themselves.
I am loving the Republican National Convention this week, but I find myself bristling when one of these private social issues come up. Our national leaders need to focus on economic policy and national defense, not whether or not they’re going to allow Tommy and Timmy to marry. When I hear Barack Obama promise national healthcare & an education for all while still lowering taxes for the “middle class,” though, I know that I can suck it up and deal with my few complaints against Republican idealogy to prevent someone who clearly has no understanding of successful fiscal policy and economic strength out of the White House.
So I’m thinking of going to Borders tomorrow to acquire the biographies of John McCain and Sarah Palin to learn a bit more about these two candidates. I’m spending some time doing some research on these two because, frankly, I’m almost tempted to throw my full-fledged support behind them … you know, as opposed to my sort of begrudging “lesser of two evils” defense that I generally offer up for major party candidates.
Maybe I’ll just go ahead and order up a McCain-Palin bumper sticker … or maybe not …
Through the Peephole 