I was originally going to rant about how politicians are so full of crap, making it impossible to know who to believe, but somehow this turned into a rant about my politicial views in general.

Some people think the democrats stand for progression and change in this nation, while others think they're a bunch of whack jobs with no morals who wish for the impossible idea of world peace. Some people think the republicans stand for moral and ethical values, whereas others think they're a bunch of snobby, traditionalist freaks with old ideals that no longer apply to today's society. Some people think democrats are the ones who want to help others by using our tax dollars, while assuming republicans want to cut the taxes and believe in the motto "every man for himself." Some people think republicans just want to keep the government's nose out of their business, while assuming the democrats want to move toward socialism.

To quote a cliché, "It's a two-sided coin."

I identify as a liberal democrat, going by the dictionary definition. I believe in representing the working person. I believe in using our tax dollars to help others and better this nation. I think a good democrat in the office could really help our economy and put government spending to good use. I'm not saying a republican couldn't do the same (ANYONE is better than BUSH!), but I'd prefer a democrat. However, I'll accept anyone honest who isn't a complete religious nutcase. These days, politicians are so full of crap that I'm not sure who to believe. As Mandy once said, a politician might as well be nothing without a posse. A large portion of politicians seem to be very wishy-washy on the issues, only developing one specific set of views to appease as many people as possible.

Anyway, back to why I'm a liberal - I'm pro-choice, but not militantly so. I would not personally get an abortion, but I would never take away a woman's choice to get one. I don't personally believe in it if you're already financially set, comfortable,  healthy, and in love (otherwords saying, it's a baby with someone who you would choose to have a child with, there are no medical factors to complicate your pregnancy, and you're able to financially support the child), but if a woman is raped, how is she supposed to want to keep a child without resenting it? I know rape survivors have carried the babies to term and raised them, and I commend/admire these strong women, though I'm not sure if some women would have the strength. I also think the process should be easier and less complicated to put a baby up for adoption.

I'm pro stem cell research, though I know it's a controversial topic. Stem cells can be lab created and/or from healthy adults, as opposed to the ones from embryos. While saying that, I have nothing against embryonic stem cell research in the sense that I think it is great to do something positive with aborted fetuses. They're aborted anyway, right? However, I am also aware of the possibility that some people may get abortions for science if this is completely legalized. I personally find this possibility to be a bit of a disproportionate assumption and believe it would be a rarity (I think it's only a perpetuated belief from the extremists of the right), but again, I try to view things from all sides.

I'm pro gay marriage. It isn't even church marriage; just justice of the peace. It will only be religiously recognized by churches who choose to do so. BECAUSE there IS separation of CHURCH and STATE, NO church would be obliged to honor a gay marriage! I don't understand why so many people are so against it... what's the big deal? We have separation of church and state in our constitution! If you're against gay marriage, don't marry a gay person! It's that simple. I've also said that those who are homophobic wouldn't know a gay person if it sat on their face.

I've always been against the stupid war in Iraq. YES, I understand why we went to war, but I disagree with how we handled it. Osama is not in Iraq, weapons of mass destruction have hardly been found, and troops are dying every day, as well as coming back completely traumatized and FUCKED in the HEAD!

I don't have views on the war on terror (though I DO think the methods we take to prevent terrorism can be a bit silly at times - like I couldn't pick up a wire transfer because my ID was expired, even though the picture was OBVIOUSLY me and I had several other forms of ID on me, my friend Steph got practically terrorized at the airport because the stupid security people demanded her to remove her "cell phone" which was actually her insulin pump - which is attached to her - and she got accused of somehow harboring a bomb when she refused to remove it, and my friend Christina got harassed by museum employees in Washington DC who kept INSISTING to check her bags THOROUGHLY and REPEATEDLY just because she looked potentially middle eastern!), I don't have thoroughly developed views on government spending, and I'm on the fence about a universal health care system because I see both pros and cons. I'm not about to develop views without being well-informed, and while I definitely tend to get fired up about political topics,  I don't know everything.