I rarely post political stuff, but I’m going to briefly now, because it’s just too important to be quiet. Following are some of my internal strivings about the upcoming Presidental election:
1) Those of you who know me at all know that I have a high view of womanhood, and I have worked for years in my “pet” area of women’s rights.
2) I also have a high view of human life. Biologically, human life begins at conception (see http://www.abort73.com/abortion/medical_testimony/ for a myriad of quotes from abortion activists agreeing with this as an objective reality).
3) I am a strong believer in the Constitution our founding fathers established for our country, and I am distressed by how far we have travelled from its intent in many areas. I long to see huge change in our country moving toward Constitutional principles.
4) One area that particularly distresses me is the two-party system, especially the decline and corruption of the Republican party. I am disgusted by some of the shenanigans pulled this year by party leaders, and the thought of voting Republican on Tuesday makes me more than a little nauseous.
5) I am sick of going to the ballot box and voting for the cliche’ “lesser evil.” That’s not a comment about individuals as much as it is about a party system that is sick and broken. And so this year, I was ready to finally do it… vote my beliefs without regard to whether I would cast a “winning” vote. So I picked up my research once more.
6) I agree with many planks in the Libertarian platform, though I agree more thoroughly with the Constitution party, for which I don’t have the option of voting this election. In lieu of being able to vote for a Constitutional party candidate, how I would love to vote Libertarian this year, to be part of a 5% vote that would force some changes in the two-party system (or display how corrupt it is when they again change the rules mid-stream).
7) But, ah, for the deal-breaker of a rub. See number 2. The official Libertarian platform says that abortion should not be regulated by the government, and yet, if one accepts the biological beginning of human life at conception, to not criminalize the taking of a human life by the force of abortion directly violates stated Libertarian principles (See Section 1 of the Libertarian platform). Libertarian Presidential candidate Gary Johnson’s website states that “Life is precious and must be protected. A woman should be allowed to make her own decisions during pregnancy until the point of viability of a fetus.” Again, if one accepts that human life begins at conception, as so many biologists and abortion advocates do (see above link for a refresher or if you are doubting), this is saying that the taking of a human life is fine until said human reaches the nebulous point of “viability.”
8) The other platforms planks with which I disagree could be set aside for the goal of shaking up our current system and creating some Constitutional change. But not this one. I just Can Not, with a clear conscience, cast a vote that does not stand for the sanctity of human life from conception. And honestly, it galls me. Not to stand for life, but to not have a better choice.
9) And so, with the Republican party having what is described as its strongest stand for life ever, and without a Constitutional party option, I go to the polls and will cast a vote for life in the Presidential race. And I research local polititians, knowing that to move toward a more Constitutional government, we must start at a local level. And I ponder what I’m called to do to help create better choices in the future.
10) If you are one of my beloved friends who are to the left of me politically and you have gotten this far in my tome, thank you. I must reiterate that since I embrace life as beginning at conception, I do not have the option of looking at abortion as a women’s rights issue. Just as a woman who shoots her partner in intentional, deliberate fashion is guilty of murder, even with a history of abuse, to kill an unborn person, despite extenuating circumstances or inconvenience, is still murder. Compassion, understanding, forgiveness… these should be extended to a woman in such traumatic situations. But they do not negate the facts of the case. If I believe that an conceived life is a human being, I must take a stand for that life. Would you ask any less of me?
I am not thrilled with that plank in the LP platform, myself. I prefer Dr. Paul’s stance, which is to let the states handle the matter (Killing is a state crime, not a federal matter). I got into some very heavy debates with some of the LP leadership over the matter, several years back–and it is an issue that even the LP leadership is FAR from united on. I would venture to say that abortion is the most debated philosophical issue within the LP, in fact. On the other hand, I could not bring myself to vote for Mitt Romney after what the RNC, with the full knowledge and co-operation of Romney campaign people, did to Ron Paul. The Republican party is corrupt to its very core and does nothing but pay lip service to issues that will get conservatives to vote for them, in my opinion. So I voted for Gary Johnson (CA has early voting). But I totally understand your dilemma.
I really think Ron Paul was the only person who might have been able and willing to act to mitigate the coming economic storm. As it is, I fear for our future.
Well put. Thanks for your words, Laurel.
Ugh… The two party system, especially the two parties we are left to choose from, is driving me batty. I have never considered myself a one issue voter. And frankly, most of the candidates that are anti abortion are not exactly what I’m looking for in other areas. I’m becoming increasingly all over the place party-wise when I vote, not voting strict party lines.
Kudos to you for laying out your thoughts. I am finding people that I call friends are getting more and more negative in their speech regarding the other side. So, I am more and more silent about my views, reserving them for the voting booth. 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts, friends.
Sarah, I’m definitely with you about not simply voting along party lines anymore. Voting was so simple when all I needed to do was check the party boxes… this researching candidates and being a thinking voter is much more of a time investment. 😉
I don’t think of myself as a one issue voter. But the sanctity of life has become a deal-breaker for me. And no, I haven’t been drinking the kool-aid; I don’t really think Romney is at-the-core pro-life. But since I didn’t really have a better “life option” on my ballot, I made the best call I could, albeit with a sick feeling in my gut.
A friend whom I respect suggested that if we withheld our votes until there is a candidate that is satisfactory, that could make the difference. I don’t see that as realistic, though I kind of wish I could tie to it.
Like I said, I rarely talk politics with anyone but my man and a few close friends, so putting these thoughts out there was out of my comfort zone but worthwhile, I think. Thanks for listening and responding graciously.
As voting day was quickly approaching, and we were discussing the two party choices, my ten year old son graciously said to me, “Mama, you always told us if we have to choose the lesser of two evils, we should choose neither.” 🙂
Obviously this is too late for our election this year, but I wanted to leave a comment anyway. I agree with you regarding these political issues and thank you for taking a stand. In the weeks before the election, I talked with many Christians who feel the same……hmmm, maybe God is stirring the hearts of his people for a change. Obviously God is bigger than our politics and we are to rely on him and not on candidates, but I also believe that we have not only a right but a responsibility to vote. Because of this, I could not abstain from voting, yet neither could I vote for “the lesser of two evils”. I read through the platform of the America’s Party/American Independent Party, and it seemed mostly on target to me. Have you read through their platform? It may be what you are looking for. Many blessings to you.
Thanks for your thoughts, Myra and Kim.
Kim, I’m not very familiar with the American Independent Party, but will check it out. There weren’t any options from them on my ballot this year.
Thanks again!