I'm an Agnostic
I was raised a Lutheran. A number of years ago I finally admitted to myself that I didn't believe and I stepped away from the church. In a way I'm sad about it because it was a great community to be part of, but I couldn't live a lie any longer. I felt like a fraud. I don't believe. I don't condemn the church or try to turn others away from it. This is a personal issue. It's mine. I mostly keep it to myself since it puts me outside the norm and often people try to "fix" me or feel I'm looking down on them if I admit it. So this is normally a pretty private thing for me.
I'm a fiscal conservative and tend to vote GOP.
I have little faith in our government. I would like to see federal power reduced. I think more of our taxes should be back in our pockets so that WE can grow the economy. I would like term limits on congress. It should be a service to our country, not a life long career. They should have to go back out and live with the decisions they've made.
I do believe we need welfare. I have been in tight spots in my life and welfare saved me and my kids. I've also seen generational welfare. Welfare should not be a way of life. Keeping this short and sweet summarizing my basic beliefs so that's enough on that subject.
I would like to see people take the reins more in their own lives. We don't need to be told what to do or think. I don't like the thought police. I don't like people telling me what I can and can't eat, if I have to have insurance, that I have to believe this or that or I'm unacceptable and shouldn't be allowed to speak.
I have serious issues with the GOP religious right.
I don't like it when they try to pump a religious agenda into government. Church and state should be separate. We'll end up like the middle east if religion starts running things. There's good reason to keep religion out of government in a country that is supposed to represent freedom!
That brings up another thing...as someone who has actually studied the bible (I made an educated decision when I became agnostic) it seems beyond obnoxious to use religion to judge people. I was raised that being a Christian was about loving your neighbor and treating them like you'd want to be treated. I'm not seeing this happening with the religious right. I'm seeing some dangerously sanctimonious people judging others as not good enough and spewing a lot of hateful things. Not cool.
I have gay friends and family members.
Since that is a private matter I won't go into detail except that I have gay family members and friends and love them. It's up to them to broadcast it if they wish. I don't get to use their private business for my own. Be clear though - I won't tolerate a bigot.
I come from a multi-racial family.
People look at me and see a white woman. If they find out I tend to vote GOP they tend to make assumptions about me. I remember one gal, who knew I was married to a black man, being shocked to find out I was GOP. So if I love someone who isn't white I have to be a democrat? If I have gay friends and family members I can't possibly vote GOP? Pfft.
That said, I don't care for Obama. This does not mean I am racist. This means I don't agree with most of Obama's political platform. I don't vote based on skin color or sexual orientation issues. Never have and never will.
Side note: I don't hate Obama. Don't love him but don't hate him. I don't disagree with everything he's done. Congress is a vastly bigger problem than Obama in my opinion.
I love my family. I will not tolerate bigots.
I don't like people assuming I'm a bigot because I'm white. It deeply offends me.
