I do not consider myself an overly political person — I tend not to share my personal opinions regarding politics as the political climate has become so divisive and social media has made it very easy to attack another’s opinion. It also concerns me that many of those with the strongest opinions do not hold all the facts and do not seem to want to be made aware. However, I have been asked to try to explain my point of view, by someone who is researching the political thought processes of a cross generational section of people, and I will attempt to do so.
I am 66 years old. It surprises me to say that number as I used to think of 66 as old. I am healthy and active and interested in the world around me, I have been married for 35 years and have two grown children. I am a Christian and if I had to choose 2 scripture passages that best define me, they would be Psalm 1 18:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” and Luke 6:31 "Do unto others as you would have them do to you". I also gravitate toward this line from a Nickelback song "Each day is a gift and not a given right". I try to be grateful for each day, to treat others the way I want to be treated and to not take anything for granted. I do not always succeed but that is my aim.
I used to identify politically, and was registered, as a Republican. But I also admired the Democratic policies of Sam Nunn (former Senator from Georgia) who was in my opinion was moderate to conservative democrat. I guess I gravitated toward common sense candidates who were willing to work together for the greater good. People who would cross party lines to create common sense legislation that benefited many if not all. And there was a time, not too long ago, that these types of political beings existed. I don't think I left the Republican party; I think the Republican party left me. I mourn the loss of compassionate conservatism. I despise that consensus and moderation is looked at as weakness. I believe the Republican Party has veered too far right; at the same time, I see the Democratic Party leaning further to the left than I am comfortable with.
I am currently registered as an Independent.
In my mind, I am a moderate who leans fiscally conservative and socially more progressive. I support the second amendment but also support gun control, I am not pro-abortion, but I believe in choice. I believe in the separation of church and state. Social Security and Medicare are important to me. I believe we should have a border policy that can control illegal entry to the United States-we want to welcome those who want to come to the United States but it must be through proper channels. I think that if approximately 50% of babies being born in the United States are being born into Medicaid, we need to look at expanding benefits for children that start out on support health care, education, parent support etc. to break the cycle. We cannot just be PRO BIRTH we must be PRO CHILD. We must look at the big picture, we are a rapidly expanding demographic that is becoming more diverse.
In my opinion we need to support the middle class. We need to expand educational opportunities in the form of technical school and apprenticeships to turn out skilled workers. We need to remember that Public Schools are a training ground for democracy, and they are invaluable to raising our next generation. That knowledge that does not limit us, books should not be banned because someone deems them 'not appropriate' based on personal, political or religious preference. If we do not learn about the past we are destined to repeat it.
We must read everything, listen to all the news channels, learn all the facts, listen to the ideas of others and then form our own opinions. We need to be open to changing our opinions if necessary and if learned facts support the decision. We need to be civil to one another and we need to work to lift each other up, not tear each other down.
—Kathryn, GA
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