Like a lot of people, I started life as an idealistic, young, caring Democrat. I wanted to save the world, “cure” poverty, and feed the whales. Then I got the bill for it. When I went to Grown Up work, I saw 30% of my earnings taken off the top. Wait a minute, whah? Is poverty a “curable condition” by my giving the GOVERNMENT ONE-THIRD of my paycheck? A lot of assumptions packed in there. Saving the world is pretty complicated, too – sounds expensive. And can’t the whales feed themselves?
So, I signed up to become an “R.” Time to grow up and learn about interest calculations, budget forecasting, economic development, free market. I assert that the longer you live, the more R you become! You begin to realize the government cannot be trusted to do anything right. And you certainly don’t want to keep feeding it your green – it just keeps getting bigger and scarier!
(Actually, there used to be a “drift” as people age toward conservatism and “traditional” Republican policy. Now, all my reading suggests strong generational influence. For example, older Baby Boomers hold on to their ingrained hippie, liberal bias as they age while Gen-Xers love their new money and tend to go R once they hit 24, etc.)
Yet, I do still feel empathy for others – I just want those others to find a different source of revenue other than my pocket. Gays – love ‘em. Are they forcing me into having gay sex? No. Let ‘em marry, be miserable, and divorce like the rest of us. Abortion – the biggest political “non-issue” I’ve ever seen. Does it really matter how you or I feel? No. You can never “legislate” it away. Women have been getting worm fern from the voodoo woman or midwife since the dawn of time. I just don’t want to PAY for it. The last thing I want is to get in some woman’s personal business. She knows her situation better than you and I. Just don’t send me the bill.
At some point I realized I’m really a Libertarian – I’m all about limiting government. Even there I’m not a purist, though. My exceptions are education, defense, and some economic development.
The only thing I feel STRONGLY about is…money. I sometimes think I am the only Stoopid American who has no DEBT. Except my house mortgage, and I assure you, it’s one I can afford. (I wasn’t stoopid enough to fall for any sales pitch that I could afford a million dollar house simply because I had a job.) I don’t spend what I don’t have, I live within my means, and I save for emergencies and large, planned expenses. Is it too much to ask my government do the same? I know I sound like a pompous, righteous ass, but it’s all TRUE. At some point, you have to grow up and take responsibility for yourself.
Thus, I want to start my own political party and call it the “Great Idea! Who’s Payin’ For It?” party. Name too long? How ‘bout the “No Party.” I love all the double and hidden meanings that could have. And I want to nominate for president Dr. No himself. That would be my personal hero – Dr. Tom Coburn, US Senator from the great state of Oklahoma. I know he’s anti-abortion, anti-gay, but so are a lot of my friends. I’m pretty sure he’s not gonna propose HUGE costly programs to impose his personal feelings on the rest of us. He’s too dang busy busting pork, putting holds on countless spending bills, actually reading proposed legislation, tracking down earmarks, and generally being a pain in the ass to every career politician in Washington DC. Hear-hear.
Friday, May 21, 2010
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If you aren't a democrat when you are young, you don't have a heart. If you aren't a republican when you are older, you don't have a brain. Something like that?
ReplyDeleteAs the years and gears grind on, your priorities change, but so does your perspective.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we should no more expect the current crop of youth to respect us and our perspective than we did our elders in the 60's and 70's.
Let's face it, "Youth" is merely something you should eventually grow out of.
"Old Age" on the other hand, is something you should aspire to.
And that never changes.