Thursday, August 30, 2012
A couple of weeks ago when I was in Iowa (where I grew up), my mother shared with me a 3-page paper my grandmother had written entitled “Social Psychology.” Basically, it was a brief history of her side of the family. What a treasure! As I read her words, I clearly saw “me” – and I smiled.
The first paragraph reads,
“History is filled with material taken from revolts against authoritarianism – and among the participants were all my ancestors. Those of Scotch, Irish and English extraction came to America before the Revolution to escape George III who attempted to reign absolute over both church and state. My Amish ancestors fled persecution in Switzerland and Germany arriving in America during the early 1700’s. “
When I read this introduction to my own heritage, I immediately become aware of my roots as a patriot and advocate for freedom.
Anyone who has read the Declaration of Independence and felt the deep sense of honor, integrity and the incredible resolve of the Founders in regard to Equality…. Life….Liberty….the pursuit of Happiness….and Independence….cannot help but take a stand - as those who came before us once did - on behalf of these unalienable rights and values. They put their lives, fortunes and property on the line. We only need to share our heartfelt passion and love for freedom through civic participation and educating others through our voices in order to assist in raising the consciousness of Americans.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were big advocates for educating the masses. Why? Because they believed citizens needed to be able to make informed decisions and perhaps more importantly, know when their freedom was threatened. This brings me to the Republican’s platform for 2012….and Paul Revere.
I sense that Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin and many others may very well have climbed on their own horses, joining Paul Revere in warning citizens of the attack on their freedom had they seen the Republican’s platform. (I’m waiting to see the Democrat’s platform as many feel they have attacked freedom in regard to businesses and taxation.) I also imagine that those who came before us might be hanging the Republican’s proposals on posts and poles all over town in order to inform the populace.
I find it interesting that the Republicans don’t seem to speak outright to their social agenda which is a blaring part of their 2012 platform. Why is that? Why aren’t we hearing about abortion, gay marriage, one national language, the arctic, public education, abstinence, etc? Instead, they speak between the lines in language only their fellow party members will understand. For instance, Ann Romney spoke about the loving relationship between she and her husband concluding with the self-proclaimed fact that she and Mitt had a REAL MARRIAGE. What do you suppose that means? She also spoke well for women who have chosen to stay at home with their children (which is their choice) with the underlying message that women are meant to sacrifice for their families – that’s “just what we do.” Sounds good doesn’t it? Most women can relate to sacrificing – however, this is 2012 and the United States of America. If one truly understands equality and unalienable rights, one recognizes that women have the right to choose their lives; they are no longer held hostage by the belief that “women are meant to sacrifice.” I respect Ann Romney and her choices. And as an American, I expect the same respect for my choices from her.
Let me say, I sense the Republicans have some fiscal and economic proposals that deserve listening and perhaps implementing….however, it is the non-fiscal/economic proposals that should have every patriot saddling their horse! The following are the proposals I find most alarming in the Republican’s platform for 2012…(my comments are in parentheses – couldn’t help myself.)…
· Make English the national language. (I wonder what their immigrant parents – many who refused to learn English – might have thought?)
· Opposes use of public funds to organizations which perform or advocate abortion and to health care which includes abortion coverage.
· Replacing family planning programs with abstinence education, teaching abstinence as the only responsible choice.
· Opposes gay marriage. Proposes a constitutional amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman.
· Supports consumer choice and local innovation such as single-sex classes in education. (I’m not going to use the term public education because I’m not sure they support it.)
· Regarding the military – restores as a principal objective, deterrence using the full spectrum of our military capabilities. (Unfortunately, I’m seeing Genghis Kahn-like tactics – needs some explanation.)
· Regarding energy - backs the exploration and development of the Outer Continental Shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Many of the personal choices they are attempting to force upon everyone are choices they themselves can choose without legislation. The fact that they desire to legislate the lives of others is really anti-liberty at least to my understanding of Liberty via the Declaration of Independence. The Republican platform is a perfect example of not understanding unalienable rights and the sacredness of living in a free nation. They are entitled to their beliefs and opinions (Thank you Founders!) but making these personal beliefs the standard for everyone is a violation of the very foundation this nation was founded upon.
In passionate support of the unalienable!
Much love,
Karrie
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