I have omitted my political opinions from the blog for a long time. I thought they could hurt my chances of publication or offend a mass audience or make someone mad. There's a major problem with this omission. I am a political person. I care about politics. I have deep, intelligent opinions about political issues. I talk about these opinions everywhere but here. So this omission is keeping me from being authentic and from being true to myself. I've decided to be honest about my views on some major issues in this blog. Here is a brief run down:
1. EVERY ONE should be able to get married. I believe two people who love one another, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, should be legally eligible to seal their union and enjoy the same rights my husband and I do. I do not believe religious organizations should be forced to perform these ceremonies, but I also believe our first amendment is written well enough to ensure that no one could ever force a religious institution to perform a religious ceremony they don't want to perform.
2. No one has the right to tell me what to do with my body, especially a bunch of old, stodgy white men. When their penises fall off and they miraculously develop a uterus they can tell me what to do with mine. Victims of rape and incest should never be forced to carry their abuser's child because to force them to do that is to rape them twice. Women with life threatening health issues should not be forced to give up their lives in order to carry a fetus to term. This issue is not black and white. It is not fair to victimize victims.
3. The United States needs to reevaluate its relationship with Israel. Israel obliterated an entire country (Lebanon) over TWO SOLDIERS who were kidnapped by people NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT. Those are facts. They killed people, destroyed essential infrastructure, and decimated homes over two lives and a faction of radicals not even associated with or supported by the Lebanese government. Israel also treats Palestine and its inhabitants abominably. Palestinians are HUMAN BEINGS and deserve to be treated as HUMAN BEINGS. If Israel is so holy and so godly and so good then it is time for them to start acting like they have some moral values and respect for human dignity. Since I don't think they're going to do that any time soon, it is time for the U.S. to tell them they're own their own and wish them luck defending themselves against all the people they've maltreated over the years.
4. I believe in government provided social welfare for the poor, the elderly, and the sick. We have a responsibility to care for our citizens, and thus far we have utterly failed millions of people. I think this is shameful. If we truly have a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" then it follows that we have a right to affordable, life-saving medical care. If you truly believe we should abolish all welfare then I think you are selfish and you'd do well to stay away from me.
5. I believe in adoption. I believe there are millions of children who need homes and if you have love to give then you should adopt a child.
6. I think politicians need lessons in sharing, caring, and compromise. If those in power would shut the hell up, LISTEN to one another, and COMPROMISE on major issues then maybe something would get done.
7. I support the major complaints behind the Occupy Wall Street movement. There is a grossly unequal distribution of wealth in this country and corporations have far more political capital than they should.
8. I believe in animal rights. Animals are living beings. They deserve to be treated with care. Companies earning millions on animal meat should not mistreat the animals who give their lives to feed this country and line corporate pockets. Chickens should not be hauled around stacked on top of one another and covered in their own feces. That is unacceptable and inexcusable, and that's just one example.
9. The wealthiest people in this country should be paying AT LEAST the same percentage of their income towards taxes as the middle class. Warren Buffett is my hero for standing up and saying the same thing, despite the fact that he's richer than Oprah.
10. If you have a problem with any of my political views then you can cheerfully assume that I do not care (because I probably don't).
There, that's what I think. That's who I am. That's how I feel. This is me--being true to myself.
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