In recent discussion with several people I have finally found my political voice so, since this is my blog, please excuse this digression from our regular family pictures and stories.
On the way home from his leadership retreat Ben was discussing politics with a fellow classmate. His (the students) question was, “When there is much more pressing issues at hand, why do we have to be fighting the marriage definition fight again?” Ben replied, “I agree. In these times, there are more pressing issues. Therefore, the status quo should continue. But since it is not, we must fight for what we believe in.”
Here are some of the many reasons why I am voting for Proposition 8:
-I believe marriage is ordained of God. (Hear me out). Marriage was a religious institution. I would rather government get out of the marrying business, stop the tax breaks for married people, and let marriage be a religious institution again than have it redefined to meet the needs of a minority.
-Proposition 8 is not about “RIGHTS” it is about “PRIVILEGES”. Marriage is not a RIGHT. It is a PRIVILEGE. Everyone has the opportunity to marry—Prop 8 will not take away that right. It will only uphold certain standards of WHO you can marry. It is a slippery slope once we start redefining words. (Anyone remember reading the book, 1984??)
-Proposition 8 is on the ballot AGAIN (remember 2000 and Prop 22 a proposition that passed 2 to 1?) because the CA Supreme Court found that the Constitution must allow homosexuals to marry. My friend Robert put it best: “The Court simply felt that their personal preferences were superior to the democratic process and ruled for a "right" that they made up out of whole cloth. Back away for a second from the specifics of this case. Try to forget that this question is and has been a hot button issue all over the country. This ultimately comes down to who makes the rules in this country. Do the people through their elected legislators (and in some areas like California the direct Proposition process) make the laws? Or do 9 people sitting behind closed doors (or really 5 since that is all that is needed for a majority) get to make up any rule that they feel is appropriate? If a majority of the Supreme Court ruled tomorrow that they found an emanation from a penumbra of the Constitution that required taxes to be 75%, would you still think that this was a good way to make laws? What if they decided that parents would not be permitted to raise their children, and that the State would be taking every child away form their parents? Sound ridiculous? Yes actually, it does look ridiculous form where we are today. No judge could possibly be that far divorced from reality. Did that emanation of a penumbra business a second ago sound silly to you? Unfortunately I am not totally making that up. Those were approximately the words used by the US Supreme Court 25 years ago to invalidate the will of the people and legalize abortion all across the country. Again, back away from the specifics of Roe v. Wade. It doesn't matter whether you support abortion or not. The important question is whether or not you think that judges can decide that their personal preferences should be the law. Maybe you think that abortions should be unlimited and that any two people should be allowed to marry and have their relationship approved of by everyone. I will never say that your political opinions are invalid, you are free to have them. But should your opinions be forced upon everyone, regardless of how laws are supposed to be made? If Roe v. Wade or the more recent California decision regarding gay marriage were never taken up by the courts, and the proper processes were followed to legalize abortion and gay marriage through the legislatures, I would not be so upset. I still wouldn't agree with them, as is my right to having my own opinion, but if they were the legitimate law of the land, I would see them exactly that way, as legitimate. But since, as happened, a few men and women in black robes came and said "We know that these positions would never be supported by the people, so we are going to make them into law anyway," I will fight them as long as there is breath in my body. We cannot have unelected judges dictate the law to us. Even if you agree with the ends, think about the precedent that is being set. The courts five, ten, or a hundred years from now may not agree with you, or the majority of the voters in our democracy. The merits or problems with abortion and homosexual marriage and every other important issue should be decided through the democratic process. The courts have a role that is very valuable. They prevent the democratic process from being abused. But if the judiciary continually abuses their authority and usurps the legislature, everyone loses. You may not feel like you have lost yet, especially if recent decisions have gone you way, but just wait until your rights are trampled upon by the courts. Who will be there to defend you then? Whether your support or oppose gay marriage, I hope you will join me in opposing judicial tyranny. The Courts need to be firmly told that, while they have a valuable place in our political process, abuse of their power will not be tolerated. This will not be the end of the fight but rather the beginning. We have a long way to go to fix our system, but I believe that it is one worth saving.”
Now, this Presidential election has also been very difficult for me as I (once again) feel like I have Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum to choose from. But as I understand that either a Democrat or a Republican will most likely win, I am forced to choose between what I feel is the “lesser of two evils” than who I really would want as President of this country that I love. Here are some of my thoughts:
-I cannot support a man who has come out against the Constitution. I believe the constitution was an inspired document. (see: The Divinely Inspired Constitution, by Dallin Oaks @ www.lds.org).
-I cannot support a man who believes in the redistribution of wealth. I believe that there are times when people need help getting back on their feet BUT our current system already allows for people to live off of this “help”. And I know why—who wouldn’t want $430 a month for groceries for a family of 4? That’s a lot of money and we can buy the best of the best foods.
-I cannot support a man who so fully supports abortion. I absolutely agree that there are times when abortion should be considered—abortion should be upheld as in Roe v. Wade, I am not calling for it to be overturned. However, with more than 40 million abortions performed per year (Maria Cheng, “Abortion Just as Common in Nations Where It’s Illegal”, Salt Lake Tribune, Oct 12, 2007) it is obvious that it is used for more than needs but instead as a form of birth control. Which I do not agree with.
-I cannot support those who believe in bigger government. I am tired of politicians—it is a career—it is their life. (ok, both candidates fall into this category of being career politicians but at least one wants a little less government)
-I would vote for the first person to say, “Enough with the campaigning…I’m going to take the MILLIONS of dollars I would have wasted on it and give it the poor or to help the current economy.”
-The Economy? Guess what, it’s part of the ebbs & flows of life. When Ben & I got married, everyone said, “BUY, BUY, BUY.” We didn’t have the money to buy a home but they told us to take out an interest only loan—we didn’t. A lot of people did. That was their choice. I, personally, am glad they did it because they messed the housing market up so bad that we will be able to afford a home when Ben starts work next year. So, thank you! Is there a plan to fix it? Absolutely, but I do not think it is in socializing medicine or adding more government fix-it programs.Personally, I’m in love with MBA’s—find someone who knows something about business and I bet they could fix it faster and more efficiently than almost any politician…oh wait, dare I say it, we should have had a Mitt Romney-type??
oKaY! I’m sorry but I felt the need to vent. I know we may all have differences of opinions…and that is what is so great about this country! So please know that I don’t care who you are voting for, I would love to hear why, and I wish the next President the best of luck, and I still love all of YOU!
Halloween was a crazy holiday down here in the 95 deg weather! Phew! We had lots of parties to attend (I know, it stinks to be so loved) between IWFC, church and friends but we had lots of fun and collected LOTS of candy. And I know candy isn’t good for you BUT I am grateful that everyone gave Xander so much candy this year! BECAUSE we decided it was time to really focus on the potty training. Thus far in his life, we’ve let him call the shots but he’ll be three this month and so it’s time to get serious. So, I’d like to announce that he has been in underwear for a week and is doing VERY well! YEAH! (Who wouldn’t if they got to pick candy out of a pumpkin every time they went to the toilet??!) Anyways, we also had lots of fun dressing up: Xander as our little Thomas the Tank Engine and Eliza as her Pebbles & Prisoner. I don’t have the pictures of her as a prisoner—that being her night costume as it was too hot to wear during the day—because I used a friends camera but I’ll add them when I get them. I am also grateful for the invention of EBAY since I’m not very crafty and I won the Thomas costume!! And I’ll have to give a shot out to Mrs. Opie from the Folsom Sea Otters who made Eliza’s costume for me in 2001…and as promised, I’ve added the picture of me in the same costume…Blah! Don’t be blinded by the white stomach…all right?? 
Kaoru & Shin...They are Xander's new best friends. Ben and I like 'em all right too :) --Kaoru is actually working with me & the International Women's & Families Club as the treasurer (don't think I've mentioned it before--it's a club that I'm the 'president' of--fancy title eh?) and Shin and Ben were on Student Government together. So, we thought it would be fun to have this cool couple over. Now Xander loves looking for Japan on the map (his shower curtain is a world map) and asks when they are going to come over again. Ben ended up cooking dinner (Chicken with Sour Cream Curry Sauce with Golden Fruit Chutney, Baked Zucchini, Diced Baked Potatoes and Homemade Ice Cream) and it turned out delicious! The Otara's were so excited about the homemade ice cream...unfortunately, the ice cream didn't harden so it was more like a milkshake. I guess we will have to try again another time!! The best part, aside from learning more about Japan and our friends, was when Xander wouldn't eat and so Kaoru and Shin started cheering him on...he thought it was so great that he ate his whole dinner:
