Party Lines

I've been more hesitant to blog about my current political beliefs. Over the last couple of years I've thought a lot about what my beliefs and standpoints are. My freshman year my roommate Christina and I watched the elections closely. We both believed in Mitt Romney and when that didn't pan out we both turned to Obama. I admit, I liked him because he was black. I truly believed that he being president would be good for the still present thoughts of racism in our country. One thing
I do not believe in is discrimination. And I still see it. I also loved his message of hope and optimism. With that being said, I didn't know much, if anything, about his beliefs or what he really wanted to do for the country. But voting time came around and I voted for him. And I felt proud and optimistic and slightly rebellious because I knew my Mormon military conservative family would not agree. Yes, it spawned a great debate in my family.

Since then I've loosely followed what he is doing. I'm not going to say that I know all about his health care reform, because I don't. I don't know if it's the best way to extend health care. But I do believe that every person living in the United States should have access to affordable quality health care. The United States, one of the most premier developed nations, has a pathetic infant mortality rate. We are currently ranked #33 (or #46 depending on the study) in the world, following places like Cuba and Israel. Babies should not be dying, and mothers should not be losing their children. There are many people in our country that need to see a doctor but don't because they cannot afford it. My mom's cervix prolapsed and she has not been able to see a doctor about it even though it happened a year ago. And that's not life threatening. We need to take better care of our people.

This semester I'm taking an American Government and Society class. We were required to read both the Republican and the Democrat party platforms. First of all, they were long (about 50 Microsoft Word pages). While reading bits of the Republican one all I could think was: "if another country doesn't do what we want, we just threaten war" and "that just sounds so sad". Reading the Democrat one I saw myself in most, if not all, of their beliefs. It's hard for me to say, because I hate controversy, I hate arguing about politics, I hate the social stigma, but I am a Democrat. And I want to explain why (knowing that 90% of people who read this will not agree). And I don't want any hateful comments, because I'm very sensitive about my political beliefs. Also, I will remain registered as an Independent and will vote for issues and people that I believe best represent my beliefs and not just based on political alignment.

I am a Democrat because I am a Mormon. I was raised in the Mormon church and my mom taught me good and correct principles, even when my family was inactive. I've learned about the Church welfare program. I've learned about tithing and fast offerings and the good that they do for others. I've learned to give and do what you can. I've learned that when the missionaries need to be fed, you feed them. When a woman is in the hospital you feed her family. When someone needs a ride you give it to them. I've learned, by personal experience from a wonderful woman in my home ward, that when there is a woman who can't leave her abusive husband because she can't afford the deposit on an apartment, you give her the money for the deposit if you can. Charity. That is what I have learned from the Church. We give until we can't. We help the helpless, we clothe the naked, we feed the hungry and we comfort the sick. This is something that Democrats believe in.

I learned growing up to take care of the earth that Heavenly Father created for us. I was told to take care of my body as well (look what good that has done for me...) because it is a gift from Heavenly Father on loan to me. Democrats believe in trying to preserve and take care of the earth.

The early church members were highly persecuted for their religious beliefs. I do not believe in persecution or discrimination. We are a church that welcomes everyone. Therefore, I do not believe in discriminating people for their religious beliefs, race, nationality, primary language, gender, sexual preference, ability, age, etc. I understand the controversy surrounding the sexual preference category. It is something that I struggle with as I think of those people with same-sex attraction that I have loved over the years with the Church and its opposition to same-sex marriage. This is something that I am still struggling to find where to put my support- I believe in loving who you want to love and I support civil unions to give people in long term partnerships rights to each other when it comes to taxes and medical decisions. One day I will decide for myself my personal stance on the marriage issue, but that day is still far off.

I believe in education. I believe that we should give our children as much education as possible. Every single child. We are approaching a time where a person will need a college degree to make it in our country. Unfortunately, there are plenty of high school students graduating whose families cannot afford college. Not only that, but children growing up in "underprivileged" areas will generally get a less than par education that will not prepare them for college. We need to give every child a good education to prepare them for adulthood and allow every child the chance to go to college by making it affordable. I personally would not be at BYU today if it wasn't for Pell Grants that I have received.

I am a faithful member of the Mormon church. I love the Gospel. I believe in the standards that it sets for its members. I am grateful that I have grown up with these standards that have kept me away from drugs, alcohol and inappropriate behaviors. The Church has helped me become a better person. And because of this Church and the way my mother taught me (although she would prefer not to know this)- I am a Democrat. And I still have a lot to figure out. And I see and understand why people choose to be Republicans, I really do. Because I would like to pay less in taxes and I want people to do their best before relying on welfare. But my ideologies lay with the Democratic Party. And I am learning to be okay with that.