I don’t want to turn this blog into a political argument. I really, really don’t.
Some people can get so heated and nasty when arguing over politics and I don’t want to pollute this happy place with that behavior.
That being said, and in honor of my 100th blog post (woo hoo) and the importance of this (and every) election, I felt compelled to share this quote:
“I wish my moderate Republican friends would simply be honest. They all say they’re voting for Romney because of his economic policies (tenuous and ill-formed as they are), and that they disagree with him on gay rights. Fine. Then look me in the eye, speak with a level clear voice, and say, ‘My taxes and take-home pay mean more than your fundamental civil rights, the sanctity of your marriage, your right to visit an ailing spouse in the hospital, your dignity as a citizen of this country, your healthcare, your right to inherit, the mental welfare and emotional well-being of your youth, and your very personhood.’
It’s like voting for George Wallace during the Civil Rights movements, and apologizing for his racism. You’re still complicit. You’re still perpetuating anti-gay legislation and cultural homophobia. You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you ‘disagree’ with your candidate on these issues.”
-Doug Wright, Pulitzer winning playwright
I was undecided where my vote was going up until a few days ago. That might surprise a few people, but it’s true. Most people (I think) assume that I would automatically vote for Obama. That makes sense. I did last time and I totally get that assumption. The thing is, it’s just not as simple as it used to be, the decision that is.
Turns out i’ve wrestled with it a lot this time.
It’s not like when I was in college, an idealist with little to no responsibility. Things are a lot different now. I’m married to somebody whose business (and our livelihood) is greatly affected by things like tax laws and who is in office.
He and I are a family now and thus my responsibilities and priorities have changed dramatically. My priorities now involve things like having a healthy family, saving money, our financial future, investing, buying a house, sending our future kids to college, even retirement. Unfortunately a lot of it revolves around money, but that’s life.
I’ve started to truly understand how the way I vote doesn’t just affect the ‘greater good’ in an abstract sense, but it can and will affect mine and my families every day life directly.
Grown up life complicates things.
It’s just not as simple anymore.
You don’t get to walk away clean, because you say you ‘disagree’ with your candidate on these issues.
Or is it?
That’s what the quote made me ask myself and you know what? It really is that simple. For me. This time.
I just can’t be complicit. Some maybe can and will, but I feel like I couldn’t look at myself the same way. I, and my priorities, have changed since being 20 and 24…absolutely. But what hasn’t changed is my belief in the absurdity of the idea that gay people don’t deserve equal rights. Or that women don’t deserve equal pay and decision making power over their own healthcare.
I just can’t look someone in the eye (especially my future children, whether boy or girl, gay or straight) and say that my (or my husbands) take home pay meant more to me than their rights.
So I’ve decided.
It’s pretty simple.
Midwest Mountainess 