Do your research when voting

The presidential election is less than 7 months away. Time for citizens to get out and cast their vote for who they think is best to run the country. The Democrats have the incumbent, President Obama and the presumptive Republican candidate is Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts.

Over the next several months, we will be bombarded with info about each candidate. This is where I ask you good people to do your research. Make an informed decision. This blog post today will of course have a slant and bias to the left, but, it's my blog so I can do that.

I have been seeing articles from CNN that makes me wonder how anyone can vote for a Republican. I have voted Democrat since 1992, the first year I could vote. I have never once thought that my party's candidate was not qualified or had ideas that I didn't agree with. Sure, I vote by candidate, not party. It just so happens that they all are Democrats.

Issue #1...President Obama wants to introduce reform to Wall Street oil traders, saying they are somewhat responsible for oil & gas prices. Analysts say this has little chance of going anywhere because Republicans in Congress already have issues with reforms on the financial companies. So, let me ask you, if you are a regular joe, middle class trying to do your best, why would you vote for people that think its ok to allow banks to have continued what they were doing? Do you all like being screwed with? Do rural Americans know who they are really voting for? Do your research people.

Issue #2... The Buffett Rule. The so called Buffett Rule, named after multi-billionaire Warren Buffett would alter the tax code for individuals making over $1 million dollars per year. Mr. Buffett himself does not agree with the low amount of taxes that he pays. One would think that the average joe would love to see the rich pay more in taxes. I would. Yet once again, this was shot down by the Republican led Congress. So now, the average people that voted for their Republican candidates has supported candidates that screwed them once again.

Issue #3... Women's health and right to choose. Why do Republicans think they can tell women what to do with their bodies? Why does any man in government think he can do that? Women's issues should be decided by doctors and the individual woman. A number of Republicans do not like the health care law signed by the President, saying the government shouldn't be involved with people's lives to that extent. Yet the same people think they should have the right to limit or ban abortions.

I could list out more issues, but I won't at this point. Maybe another post in a few weeks. The point of this is the way I see it, the Republican party is not for the people but rather corporate America, closed minded, controlling white men, and anyone else out there without compassion.

When it comes time to vote in November, make a smart, informed decision and really think about who you are voting for and what their morals are.

Later people

Relationships

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, holiday time is busy.  Today is Wendy's and my anniversary, we have been married for 11 years.  It has been an amazing 11 years (plus 6 years we knew each other before we were married.)  There have been ups and downs just like every marriage has, and we have worked through it all.  What pisses me off is to see celebrities treat marriage like it is a new shirt or car, once a slight hole appears in the shirt or the car needs some maintenance, it is time for a new one.  What the fuck?  These people have no idea what marriage is or how to work through one.  When two people are in love and commit to marriage, they exchange vows that are "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."  Being married for 2 weeks or 1 day is hardly keeping with these vows and maybe the two people should have waited a while to get married.


I don't want anyone reading this to think that I am saying every marriage should last forever.  There are some that just don't work out, either one of the people gets into it and after a few years, something changes and marriage doesn't feel like it used to.  Or, maybe one of the people doesn't go into the relationship honestly and ends up being completely different from when they first met.  Whatever the case may be, if the feeling is not mutual and after trying everything to see if changes can be made, the best option may be to end the marriage.  But at least try to work together and communicate with each other what the issue or concern is.  If both people truly love each other, then compromises can be made to get going back on track.  A person truly committed will decide what is important and what is silly to argue over.


In March, my parents will be married for 40 years.  I know that times were tough in the beginning, but they worked through it and did what they could for my sister and I.  It was only recently that I deeply realized what they did for us.  My father working outside for the phone company for 37 years.  My mother taking care of our home. Marriage isn't all glamour and being seen at the newest restaurant in town or having the biggest house.  It is about a commitment that two people make to share their lives together through good times and bad.  Some people in this world just don't get it.  Many conservative people out there say that allowing same sex marriages will weaken the institution of marriage.  Bullshit.  These celebrities and reality TV shows are taking care of that, not two guys or two women that are  committed to each other and wanting to share their love.


If you are reading this and you are married, I hope it is a happy marriage.  If there are problems, take a step back and evaluate what is most important.


Later people.