I don't really associate myself with one party or another, I think they both have major problems and I can't bring myself to belong to one or the other. I do lean towards the left on most things, but really I just support what I agree with regardless of which party is also supporting it.
And while I do lean to the left, I am also aware that we need the right to balance things out, that's why our system is set up the way it is. I get really frustrated when the balance shifts heavilly to one side or the other and the parties treat it like a giant contest; whoever has the most members in congress wins, instead of trying to do what's actually right for the country. I think people tend to get too involved in "their side" and winning to remember that it's for the good of the country, not the good of their party, that they should be doing things.
I don't support the war in Iraq: we were never given a legitimate reason as to why we're there. Yes, removing Hussein from power is a good thing, and yes some other good things have come from it, but a lot of other really bad things have come from it too. I can't support a fight that I don't even know the real reasons for.
I support a woman's right to chose– the operative word in that phrase being "chose". Just because a woman has a choice doesn't mean she'll chose the same way every time. But you know, even if abortions are made illegal, women (and girls) will still get them, it'll just be a lot riskier and a lot less safe. And besides, there will ALWAYS be extenuating circumstances. Should rape victims be allowed the right to chose whether or not they keep a baby concieved from that crime? What about incest? For me, personally, I think that people need to be responsible for their actions, and realize that if they're ready to have sex, they should be prepared for the possibility of having a child. But I also believe that anyone who doesn't think very, very hard about that choice and do a damn lot of soul-searching and weigh every possibility before making that decision doesn't need to be raising a kid anyway.
I don't support Bush. I don't think he's evil, but I think he's doing a lot of things that are based on his personal beliefs and not what's in the best interests of everyone in this country. I think he does genuinely believe he's doing the right thing, and in a way that scares me more than someone who doesn't. He's passing bills that are undoing years and even decades' worth of progress in terms of the environment and the economy, not to mention our relationship with the rest of the world.
In actuality, I hate politics and I hate politicians. There are a few good ones out there, but most of them are greedy, self-serving liars who'll do or say anything they can to get ahead. I vote, but I'm never happy about my choices and rarely feel good about doing so. It's getting tougher and tougher to support the idea of voting for the lesser of two evils, y'know?
Anyway, that's where I stand. I really don't have anything against people on either side of the fence (unless they, personally, do or say something to incurr my wrath), and I have friends on both sides. I think it's most important that the right and the left listen to each other and not just indescriminantly disagree with whatever the other side says. Communication is the key, I think.
Edit: Oh yeah, and I support same-sex marriage. If the church in question doesn't want to perform it because of that, I don't think the state should be able to force them to, but I think if the church is all right with it, then why the hell not? And I'm using the word "marriage" here in its technical sense-- a religious ceremony. I totally think civil unions should be legal, full-stop, period. There's no legal reason why two people of the same gender should not be allowed to be considered joined in the eyes of the state, so in my mind, anyone wanting to go down to the courthouse instead of the church should be fully in their rights to do so. In fact, I'm a little mind-boggled by the fact that so many people in this country are still opposed to this notion. Did we learn nothing from the civil rights movements of last century?? But anyway, yeah, I totally support gay marriage/civil union.
--Bevin