Friday, January 04, 2008

**Warning! Political post**



You have been forewarned that this is a political post. If politics makes you queasy, please stop reading now. I also want to interject here that the following post is my own opinion, and is in no way intended to spark a heated debate, so if you find yourself going "I totally disagree with this woman" just quietly click the little exit button and come back tomorrow for a brand new post. ;-) Thank you for visiting.



OK, this post has actually been "in the making" for about 2 months. I don't believe I have ever done a political post, and probably won't again. But, I was sort of "guilted" into this one. By whom you ask? By my 11 year old nephew that's who. Any time an election comes I always take him with me when I vote. We have the same discussion every time. On the way to the polls he asks me who I am going to vote for. I tell him who I am supporting and why. Then I remind him that voting is a privilege that many Americans have fought, and died, for us to have. I firmly believe it is the DUTY of every American to vote. (As my daddy always said, "If you don't vote then you don't have the right to gripe when things aren't going the way you would like.")


I then remind him that when it comes time for him to vote he does NOT have to agree with me. He needs to vote his beliefs, but he needs to know WHY he is voting for that person/issue. Don't do it just because they are popular, or being supported by a certain celebrity. What is that candidates heart? What are their beliefs? Are they similar to your beliefs? In other words BE ABLE TO BACK IT UP, and don't be scared to speak your mind or give your opinion. People are not always going to agree on the candidates or issues. That is what makes America so great, because we can disagree and still give our opinion. It's called a democracy.



So, after we have our discussion he gets to see the ballot and watches me fill in the little circles. (Yes, here in East Texas we still use the pencil and paper ballot. No hanging CHADS here.) :-)



Anyway, after the November election he asked me who I was voting for President. I told him who I was considering, but I had not made my mind up, yet. He asked a lot of great questions as to why I was leaning toward that candidate. It really made me think, and have to put into practice everything I had been teaching him. He then made a very odd comment. He said, "I know, your going to put "his" picture on your blog aren't you?"



To be honest, that had never occurred to me, because I don't usually "put myself out there" like that. But, then I thought "If I don't then I am doing exactly what I told him NOT to do. I would be setting a bad example."



So, you lovely people now get to read my opinion, so that I can get over my guilt trip and be a good example/teacher to my nephew. :-) Please enjoy it, because I don't plan to write another one. :-) I have actually started to write this about 10 times over the last couple of months, and every time I just erase it, because I just can't get to come out the way I want. But, I have determined that tonight is the night. I'm just going to get it out there and be done with it. :-)



My candidate is (drum roll please).................................................................................





Yes, I am supporting Mike Huckabee. Here are my reasons why:

1) He is a Christian. Yes, this does make a difference to me.

2) I agree with his stand on abortion.

3) He does support homeschooling.

4) I like his ideas for taxes. It needs some "tweaking" but overall I like it.

5) I believe him to an honest man, and "down to earth."

OK, actually I could go on, but it would be easier to just send you to his site http://www.mikehuckabee.com/?FuseAction=Issues.Home

Are there other candidates I like? Yes. Do I agree with any of them 100% No, not even Mike Huckabee, but he is the one I agree with the most. I did see his interview on Jay Leno and I thought he did a wonderful job. He really impressed me. My family and I read an interview about him in New Man magazine, and we really liked what we read. Is everyone in my family voting for him? I have no idea. We all have our own opinions, and that's okay. Again, that is why we have a democracy. :-) So, that is it. If you actually made it this far in the post I thank you. :-)

I encourage you to check out all of the candidates and vote your own beliefs. You don't have to agree with me, but you do need to vote. And don't forget the Primaries. That is where you pick who will actually be running in the party you choose. Primaries are important. VOTING is important. Let your voice be heard. :-)

I am climbing off of my soapbox now. :-)

Love,

Wendy Darling

4 comments:

Leighton @ My Best Investments said...

Writing about politics is always a risk because it sets the stage for your readers to try to convince you that you're wrong or that another candidate is better.

Good for you for putting your opinion out there. Whether your guys wins or not, at least you've thought about it.

And I'd still say "good for you" even if you came out in favor of a Nancy Pelosi-Bill Maher ticket.

Julie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julie said...

I hate it when I don't pay attention to what I was typing. As I was saying...

Very nicely put. I have no arguments or debates with you.

You are a good American and a good example for your nephew.

Joanna said...

Hey Wendy - I've seen ya on so many blogs thought I would pop over and check you out.

Totally agree with you - even with your choice.
I will say I thought both men gave wonderful speeches. I can see change a coming for the country and I'm praying it's good change!