I'm Doing Something Besides Just Complain

The Unified Party
I'm starting my own political party. I'm tired of the two parties we have because both sides are hateful. What America needs is a party that unites not divides. I'm a registered Republican but some of my dearest friends are Democrats. I refuse to not like them just because we have differences.

The last presidential election had so much hate spewing from both sides. Children were crying because people on TV were so mean. I did my duty and voted but I didn't like how my candidate seemed to lower himself just to play a political game. I believe that people can keep their dignity and their ideals because they respect each other.

Do Something or Don't Complain
I'm not political-I don't even like watching the negative news. But I'm not going to do nothing and just complain about things. I believe 'either do something to help or don't complain'. I think a lot of people are like me-they're for unity not division. I will be the change I hope to see in my country. This morning I bought the domain name unifiedparty.org. It may become nothing but at least I did what I could.

I bought the domain, but there are people out there who are a lot smarter than me who can make the site look good. It doesn't just belong to me but to everyone who wants unity. I don't know what the site will contain, all I know is that I took action. I love my country and being American. I love patriotism and freedom. I'm not gonna hide in a corner as if ashamed but will openly declare my love for my country and do all I can.

The Political Game
Perhaps the politics we know has been a game where people lied to get what they wanted. Lying isn't a good political strategy in this digital world when nowadays everything one says is on the internet...most likely YouTube. I'm for honesty. I believe in strategy but I think it can be done honestly.

It seems like the political world in America has gotten too big for its britches. People pridefully seem to consider themselves above others and sometimes even above the law. I think everyone should follow the same rules because without rules there's chaos.

I  believe that we are in some ways the same (humans, male, female, attended the same school, have similar ancestry, believe similar things, etc.) but that our character is what defines us and makes us different. We are unique and individual. We aren't perfect but learn from our mistakes. We all did things when younger that we wouldn't do now that we're older because we learned from our experiences. Let's not hold our mistakes against each other but celebrate that we learned. Let's look at the good not the bad. Let's lift each other not tear each other apart.

Unity Not Hate
When there's good in the world, somewhere there'll be bad. Someone will always say something negative when someone else says something positive. Opposites attract. But I firmly believe that although opposites attract they can work together to make something good. I'm not like my neighbor but I don't hate him; I just know that he does things his way and I do things my way. Although we're different we're friends who want the best for each other. I say, "Enough hate. I want love." I want things that bring people together, not division. Our pledge of allegiance says, "Indivisible", let's not fight each other but only fight the enemy.

Living in a Loving Place

What Per said about political parties moving left (more to the liberal side) seems true. The news said the Republican Party would be abolished. My assumption is that if that's true then a new party would probably be more liberal. In twenty years maybe people will say, "I remember when the Republican Party was conservative." Per said the Democratic Party has become more liberal too in that the "blue dog democrats" (the conservative ones) haven't been re-elected and are no longer in congress - they are no longer in the party - they are nowhere. How sad that America is becoming more liberal and leaving conservatism behind. (It seems true because, in looking at my blog posts, I've said that right is wrong and wrong is right, and I wished that people would stand for their beliefs.)

President Obama will be talked about in history. I'm scared of the possibility that under his administration, America could cease to exist. I sound negative and paranoid, but if it happens I won't be negative and paranoid because I'll be right. America may cease to exist, but the 'idea' of America - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - will live on because many people believe in that idea. That idea gave many people around the world hope that if they came to America they had a chance of getting their dream. If America gets destroyed, so will people's hope.

If America ceases to exist, another country will exist that offers hope because there's always opposites in the world. The possibility is that America will be destroyed by hate, but a new country will arise that offers hope and love. I believe that the new country would be on the North American Continent because it is blessed - it is the promised land. Maybe it's in Mexico or somewhere in Central America. The idea of a new America gives me hope. I think of the Latin people because they are so loving and family oriented. 

I believe that Latino people came to America because of hope and the American Dream. If the ideals are brought to them, it will lift them out of poverty and they will prosper. The idea sounds exciting, I kind of wish it would happen. It makes me look at Latino people in a different light.

Per said Homeland Security bought millions of bullets. Obama said he would create a civilian army. If Obama wants to use those bullets in his army, it sounds like Obama wants to control people with fear. Before there might be civilian armies in America - and before anyone gets hurt - perhaps business owners could move their companies out of the U.S. I would want to move too. I would hope to have technology, butt not oppression. I say that if hateful people want to have the U.S., let them. I love my country and don't want to say this, but I won't live with hate and oppression, so I won't be here. I want to live in a loving place.

Respect in America

My conscience tells me that the difference between Democrats and Republicans is the way they view things. Democrats are for progress and evolution. They see things as living and seek to change them if they think things should be done differently. Another word for Democrat is Liberal. Republicans are for keeping some things the way they are. They believe in progress that helps mankind but see some things as set in stone. They don't want things changed just because they can be. Another word for Republican is Conservative. There are varying degrees in both parties - some people are more Liberal or Conservative than others - but each American, in their heart, is either one or the other. 

The two parties will never see eye to eye but they can work together on the basis of respect. I see a lack of respect when someone says "I'm right, you're wrong!" People with opposing views have worked together for years but something has happened where now they are unwilling to compromise. It seems like one side won't work with the other unless the other side agrees with them completely. That will never happen!

Since 1980, America has had mostly Republican presidents. Now America has a Democratic president. Some of the people who support him point their finger at non-supporters and say "it's our turn!" Those people cause division and hatred and bully those who disagree with them. They also try to force people to believe in something they don't. They may be a different degree of Democrat - more Liberal, or outspoken, or whatever - but they are Democrats and, in my mind, giving all Democrats a bad name.

If Mitt Romney wins the presidential election in November, and once again America has a Republican president, I hope he will work to establish respect. If Obama wins, I'm guessing there will be more division, hatred, and bullying than ever before. I'm scared of the division, hatred, and bullying and think it will make America go backward and not progress.

Choosing Love over Hate

This morning, I heard an audio clip of the leader of the black panthers going on about how much he hates white people. He even called them crackers. It seems like freedom of speech is alive and well on the radio but if a child expresses their opinion in the classroom (also free speech) then it's slander if the teacher disagrees. Why is it OK for one person to speak their mind but not OK for someone else? One's opinion is never wrong - it's how they feel or what they think. To not allow certain opinions seems hypocritical to me.

As I heard the black panthers leader talk I thought give me a break, black people haven't been the only one's oppressed. I also thought just because a person has white skin, doesn't mean they're white. My dad had very dark skin. So much so that when he served in the Navy in the 1960's, when segregation still existed, an officer told him he couldn't use the white man's restroom because of the darkness of his skin. Segregation didn't exist only against the black person...but against anyone of color. I have white skin because I have some European heritage, but I also have some Hawaiian heritage. Am I a cracker just because my skin is more light than dark? Isn't judging me based on the color of my skin segregation? I find it ironic that a person who speaks against segregation seems to be doing that very thing.

I agree that oppression is wrong. I believe that no one should be forced to do anything. But I don't agree with being hateful because wrong things are done. We live in an imperfect world where inevitably wrong things happen. But we are free to choose how we will react. It comes down to whether we have hate or love in our hearts. The leader of the black panthers said hateful things. I could be hateful and bitter because injustices have been done to me and those I love, but I choose to be loving because that's the kind of character I want to have. My feelings get hurt but I'd rather forgive than hold a grudge.

I read somewhere that a person who holds on to anger is more susceptible to cancer. That makes sense to me because vile thoughts spread through the mind. Perhaps they also spread throughout the body and cause dis-ease when they are allowed to fester.

The Prop 8 Hype

If you live in America, you've heard of Prop 8. It's a proposition for a law in California that supports traditional marriage. Gay people are outraged because they want to have legal access to the word "marriage" and they want homosexual marriages legally recognized by the state.

Someone came up with the slogan "No Hate" regarding this proposition - inferring that if a person supports traditional marriage, they hate gay people.

My church is related to this proposition (as are many churches) because a person in my church is running to become the U.S. President. My church has told its members in CA to support traditional marriage and vote for the proposition. My church believes in traditional marriage (between a man and woman) and is in favor of traditional families (a dad, a mom, and children.)

The people who support gay marriage don't approve of supporting only traditional marriage. They say to my church (and it's people) "Who are you to judge?" They think gay people should be allowed to legally marry whomever they want and that no person (or organization) has the right to stand between two people who love each other.

I think that a person can do whatever they want but if they want to change the law to include their behavior, in this case I don't think that should happen.

My church doesn't get involved in political elections. It doesn't tell it's members to vote for certain people. It does, however, tell it's members to vote for or against values in which it believes - when those values are threatened.

I believe the slogan and the people who want to legalize gay marriage are bullying people who disagree with them.

I support traditional marriage, but that doesn't mean I hate gay people.

Since when is it wrong to have an opinion? I stand up for what I believe - even when people try to intimidate me - even when they try to sway my beliefs.

Some Mormon's are hateful and bigoted and narrow minded and say mean things. Their thinking and behavior is wrong. But to use a blanket statement like "Mormons think..." is naive. I'm a Mormon and perhaps I don't think what is said.

It's ironic that the people who don't want to be judged seem to be judging.

I don't treat gay people any differently than straight people. But I do have my opinion. No matter what I think, I believe in following the law. Also, I believe in the 12th Article of Faith of my church which says "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law."

Currently U.S. law only recognizes traditional marriage. If the law changes to recognize homosexual marriage too I will have my opinion but continue to follow the law.

I don't agree with everything a person thinks but that doesn't mean they get to call me names. Sometimes we will have to agree to disagree.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

I've never known much about this country's history, and I haven't really cared. I have never been interested in the news, or what's going on around the world, I've just wanted to live in my own little world. But lately things are changing in government that will affect me and my own little world, so I've wanted to know things for myself instead of relying on what my husband tells me.

I started watching some programs on TV and reading books, and it has really opened my eyes. I'll admit right now, I tend to be conservative, so of course the things I watch and read are going to reflect that. I like Glenn Beck on TV, and I bought a book that he highly recommended on his show 'liberal fascism'. I've enjoyed reading it, but the thing that strikes me most is "why don't more people know history?" It seems like history just repeats itsself, and since people don't know history they think (like I did) that people's ideas are new. But they really aren't. The ideas were thought of long ago, and since people don't know history, it's bound to be repeated (even though it wasn't good the first time.)

The words "liberal fascism" seem so harsh. Almost offensive. I like people, even ones not like me, and I like hearing everyone's opinion. But it seems to me that people have agendas these days. It's sad because I tend to question people's motives instead of just believing them, because most people these days have motives other than what they are saying. For instance, commercials on TV. At first a commercial may seem to care about me, but in reality they are just trying to sell a product or an idea, and they know how to tug at my heart strings so I'll buy or buy into it. It's all marketing. It's not 'real'. Reading books and knowing history, being informed, helps me to see the 'real' instead of just falling for what people say.

I went to Glenn Beck's "Common Sense Tour" when he came to Kansas City. He said a couple of things that really hit me. 1) Every person has a voice. Even common people like me. We get scared into thinking that we have to have some degree, or have the perfect vocabulary, or have a political background in order to speak up. But it's not true. Every person has a voice and can make a difference in our society. If we don't like how things are going in America then stand up and be heard instead of just complaining around the kitchen table. It's not going to help anyone or change anything to just complain to the TV or to my family at dinner time.

2) Reach out to others, reach across the isle, Democrat of Republican doesn't matter, we are all just people and probably have more in common that you would think. Talk about the issues you are concerned about, be people not parties. I like that because it's true. Everyone has a story and things they like or are concerned about. It just creates separation to stay within your 'group'. For example, me and my sister. I'm conservative she is more liberal, or in plain terms, a democrat. But we don't talk about politics, we just talk about life and we have a lot in common. I am open to hearing her views and she is open to hearing mine. Another friend of mine is a democrat too, but same thing, we are friends and think a lot alike. I would like to have more friends like that because it's real. We're just people.

Like I said, I'm getting informed and that is causing me to want to stand up and speak. I just hope that others not like me will want to hear what I have to say. We are all just people. We all have opinions, I wish we could respect one another and be better listeners and try to understand each other.

I was thinking about "The View" on TV and how much I don't like that show. And I was thinking "why don't I like it?" The answer is, because they are mean and in your face. They don't try to understand other people, they just say mean things to people who don't think like them. Same with Bill O'Reilly. He attacks people who don't say what he wants them to say. Why would I watch that? Why do others watch that? It just creates separation, a divison among people. It upsets people. It offends. It doesn't create a sense of safety where people can talk and respect each other. It is mean and unkind. People...stop watching shows like that! Let's start listening to each other. Can't we all just get along?

Some Days I Just Want to Vege

It's 4PM and I'm sitting at my computer, unshowered and still in my pj's. That's pretty daring to admit but it's true. Today I just want to vege, but that doesn't mean I haven't done anything. I slept in 'til 9, made pancakes for breakfast, read my scriptures, watched "so you think you can dance" which, by the way, I think is going to be amazing this year, watched Glenn Beck and The O'Reilly Factor on the DVR (I like Glenn Beck better...O'Reilly is too 'in your face' for me and he attacks people who don't say what he wants them to say, Beck is a better 'listener'), welcomed my husband home from a business trip (he came home earlier than I thought he would!), talked to him about the book I've been reading (liberal fascism) wrote in my journal, tried to pay my mortgage but the website was down, looked online at rugs and a headboard for Andrew's room, ate some pizza that Per cooked for lunch, talked to a gal about a party Andrew's going to tomorrow, took a couple of telemarketer calls, and updated my blog.

Now I guess I'll go take a shower and finish my day, which includes washing Andrew's bedding, swapping the pillows on Per's side with the ones on the spare bed downstairs, and making dinner. We'll see who get's kicked off "so you think you can dance" tonight. I don't think I'm the only one who takes a day to vege.