Sarah,
Like Kevin G, and a few others here, I too happen to be a conservative. Albeit a moderate one. I often have ideals that are aligned with the left, though usually they are more aligned with the right. I'm not a religious man, I'm an agnostic, but I am respectful of the right for people to practice whatever religion they choose.
I'm of the same opinion as you when it comes to abortion. I am staunchly pro choice. I believe it's not right to bring a child into this world that won't be offerred love, education, good health care, shelter etc. and feel that it is unfortunate that there are many, many ignorant people out there that don't use good common sense when it comes to sex and the responsibility it carries with it. So, I think abortion is sometimes a better route, as much as I dislike the need for it.
I am also a firm believer in our consitutional rights. The first amendment is why David can write the lyrics he does and I applaud and fully support that, I often agree with his lyrics too (though not always), not to mention that I really like his music. I want to hear what everyone has to say, because a good argument can change my mind.
Coincidentally, I also strongly support the second amendment, that every American has the right to bear arms. I'm an NRA member and not at all ashamed of it. My parents made me take gun safety courses as a youth, and my father made sure I was fully prepared before I was allowed to own a gun. So I have a deep respect for guns and I don't abuse the right to posess them.
For my entire working career, I've worked for small entreprenurial companies, several of which were eventually forced out of business by government regulation, taxation or rogue legislation. I don't like big government because big government does not (unfortunately) operate on the same model as private enterprise and I believe that beuracracy is our nation's greatest danger at this point in time. I also agree with Dale in that I don't believe in entitlements, because that only leads to more entitlements, for which I, as a gainfully employed taxpayer will have to forfeit a HUGE chunk of my paycheck, which I work extremely hard to earn. I don't like seeing it go to some ignorant single unemployed woman that makes more babies just because the government will give her more money.
Naturally, this dichotomy in my thinking poses interesting problems for me come election time and I have to agree with EEE that it is difficult to vote when none of the candidiates agrees with everything you believe in. Such has been the case in every election I've been old enough to vote in. I almost voted for Ross Perot when GW1 was running, in protest, because I really didn't like either major party candidate. I didn't however, because I understood the futility of that manuever. I voted for Bush instead, because he was the lesser of two evils in my mind. I didn't like it, but I still believe I made the best choice at the time.
As I said, on the abortion issue I am in complete agreement with you. I also happen to agree with Dan that we cannot overlook proper contraceptive education and or safe sex alternatives for our children. However, and this is a HUGE however, your post took a nose dive with me for one reason only and that was the following statement:
"I would be incredibly surprised to hear a yes from any of you right-wing self-righteous morality spouting....creeps. "
This type of outburst is one reason that I dismiss such arguments (in their entirety) and for some unkown reason to me, those on the left tend to employ this tactic far more frequently than those on the right (and yes, I hate Rush). Offending people is not a successful form of diplomacy, regardless of which side of an issue you happen to be on. It only serves to make you look more extremist than you probably are and will close an open mind faster than a speeding bullet. Emotion should be held in check in any debate.
Just my 2 cents.
Marc
