Some Thoughts on Politics.....(hopefully more clear than politicians)

Having been inspired by my brother's recent post on the political situation of our nation, I'm going to offer some of my thoughts.

First off, I agree that the political situation in Washington has become dire...extremely dire. Our politicians have indeed become bogged down in selfishness and pandering to people with votes and money while trying to please every voting block possible by slipping ear marked projects through that squander our tax dollars on pointless programs that are never debated but simply slipped through on the back un-read pages of other more prominent bills. While I am optimistic about our great nation, I am pessimistic about the current situation in Washington....at least for the short term (5-10 years). The mess back there is much to big for any one politician to come sweeping in from Mt. Olympus as a god sent from heaven and suddenly throw a bolt of lightning and have everything be restored to peace and harmony. I don't ask for peace and harmony, that hasn't existed in the days of Washington ever. However, is it too much to ask for politicians that have respect for each other and agree to disagree? I'm sick of partisan politics that has sunk to the level of actually accusing others of being un-patriotic or not having the best intentions for this country at hand. I, for one, refuse to believe there's an entire party of politicians hell bent on ruining our great nation. A select few, perhaps, but none that I know of. What happened to actually acknowledging that our end goals are all the same, but we simply differ in how to achieve them?

As for the current candidates, this election has often been called one of choosing between the lesser of two evils. I agree somewhat to that comment in principal, but trying to be an optimist, I choose to rephrase that into choosing between who can do the most good and who is most in harmony with my political views. If you remove the exremities and leave just the core of Obama and McCain, I'm definitely a McCain man by virtue of the fact that I'm adamantly opposed to big government which I equate to intrusive, controlling, and beauracratic government. Not to mention a government that only serves to strengthen the freeloading population who believe that it's the government's responsibility to put their dinner on the table. While I believe government's should help people who can't help themselves, I do not believe they should cater to the habitually lazy and unmotivated. Figure out a program that does that and I'll buy you a free dinner (but only once). McCain was not my candidate of choice, but I certainly don't think Obama's a better politician because McCain admitted to not knowing how to send an email (as used in Obama's newest ad that came out today, claiming McCain is too old to bring change to Washington because he's simply out of touch).

As for thoughts on certain issues, here's a few:
Illegal Immigration: One of my #1 issues. Why? Because you solve this and a plethora of other problems suddenly become solved. I'm sick of paying skyrocketing insurance because illegals think a benefit of living in America is FREE health insurance. Hospitals are obligated to offer certain care to patients in need, and while I am not advocating not offering services to those in need (by ANY means), there needs to be accountability and fairness in paying for those services. Health care certainly has grave ailments because of the strain of illegals. The face of our education system is being completely changed. Fairness is blown out the window by those who believe that they can enjoy American benefits simply because God placed them next door while those who wish to legally enjoy American benefits go through a painstaking, drawn out process to legally become an American citizen. Having lived in Korea for 2 years, I know that their desire isn't any less than those in Mexico. Their necessity to come to America isn't any less, either. Let anyone who wishes to become a citizen line up and do it legally. And even then, once they get here, help them actually become a citizen by offering language assistance training so I'm not suddenly being issued a spanish driver's license. As for those who are here, I think it's totally asinine to advocate removing them in any way. Not only is it uncompassionate, it's unfeasible. I do, however, advocate a STRONG border enforcement including building a wall or whatever it takes to keep others from coming in. You've got to stop the flow before dealing with what's already in the tub.

TAXES: Has anyone out there heard of the FAIR TAX proposal that is currently before Congress? It abolishes the unconstitutional IRS as well as income taxes and replaces it with a consumption tax, allowing Americans to actually keep all they earn and only pay taxes when they choose to purchase a product. It is NOT a 23% or 30% tax increase as critics claim--that is ignorance of how it actually works or a blatant lie. I'll probably devote a whole post just to this pretty soon to offer more details. In the meantime, read more at fairtax.org

EDUCATION: I support the idea of school vouchers (at least the kind introduced in Utah last year and oddly defeated in such a conservative state). I do not believe the best education is a government controlled education. I believe parents should have a choice in what education their children receive, not being forced to use public education because they can't afford anything else. Competition breeds greatness, and I believe fair competition in the school system will breed better education. Let private schools become options for more families, not just the rich. I am a product of public education and believe it works in many cases. I hate it when people turn this into a "You support vouchers and thus are destroying public education" argument. My sister teaches in public schools and yes, they do much good and are filled with genuine teachers who care. Unfortunately, genuine teachers who care can only do so much when their hands are tied behind their backs by inadequate funding and government control over a system they have essentially monopolized for the poor and middle class in America.

NATIONAL SECURITY: Was I a proponent of the Iraq war? Yes. Did I come to that conclusion quickly, or simply becuause in Fall 2003 it was popular (at least for 73% of Americans)? No. I studied and even prayed for a while and came to genuinely believe it was best for the security of our country and others. I still support it. Yes, it could have been planned better. I do not advocate a blanket policy of pre-emptive strikes, but I do not advocate a policy of blanket defense which involves waiting to be hit and then fighting back. I believe America has a moral responsibility in the preservation of freedom and liberty, but the manner in which that is done should not give us the authority to walk willy-nilly into any country and depose its government. I agree with Regan on this issue, be strong and hope that is enough to deter others. Let them know we have the military and strength to basically blow them off the map if they mess with us. Peace through strength. Diplomacy first. Always wave your gun before shooting.

Yikes, this is longer than I thought, so I'll stop for now. More later!