Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Letter To My Liberal Friends

Dear Friends,

     Having earned a degree in Communication I am now trying my hand as a writer. I'm not developed in the art of debate. I have lawyer friends who are well versed in litigation and my youngest daughter will probably end up as one. She's persuasive, to say the least. One reason I am not skilled in arguing (although my Mom would beg to differ, when I was a teenager) is that I get very emotional about what is important. I take personal stake in my beliefs and values and haven't gone blindly about them. Some have required a lot of thought and prayer. Some cost me more. I've had to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak.

      As this is an election year, issues in society are heating up with impassioned opinions.

     For a long time, I felt that my views were shared with a select few. I travel a narrow road, and some would say narrow-minded.  I'm hard on myself and hard on my kids.  I expect a lot, because I know they are capable. I want the best for them, encouraging them to work for what they have. I want them to abstain from sex, and drugs. I want them to study and show themselves worthy as contributing citizens in this great nation of privilege. I want them to fear God. A healthy dose of reverance for the divine, I believe is essential to balance and health. If they understand this love, they will relate to others with respect and dignity. They will carry themselves likewise...loving their neighbor as themselves.

     I am a conservative. Does that mean I tote guns, and rail for the death penalty? No, but it does mean that I respect life from conception to natural death. This goes for everyone. Actually when it comes to the death penalty, I tack on a prayer for all those on death row at the end of each decade of rosary prayer. I mention specific names, and those souls who are without hope.
    
     I wouldn't qualify myself as anti-choice. We all have choice. We also have consequences. If we choose to abort a human fetus, we will be held accountable. The easier choice is to abstain from sex. But we all know, it ain't that easy in a hot and heavy moment. These feelings don't change that babies are made when boys and girls have sex. If we raise our children with the attitude that they can't control themselves, so lets' provide them with birth control, they will fulfill our expectations. I don't think its possible to have self-control without a little grace from a divine source, outside of ourselves. In other words, we can't do it on our own.

     As far as abortion being a right, I think this is wrong. It is a human rights issue, but that being similar to slavery. One human exerting unfair power over another. Nobody has a right to own another person and not pay them for an honest day's work, and no one has the right to kill an innocent human being.

     Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of abortions in the U.S. The foundation is rooted in the ideology of Margaret Sanger. Her agenda included ethnic cleansing and white supremacy. Research links breast cancer to abortion as well as artificial birth control. More naturally, the female body is designed to create and rear infants. More research shows that the less a woman ovulates throughout her lifetime, her risk of contracting breast cancer is reduced significantly. Women don't ovulate when they are pregnant, and ovulation is suppressed when breastfeeding a child around the clock. I know this first hand. I have six children, of whom I carried, nine months a piece, and nursed them for at least a year. I know that when we allow our bodies to do what they are built to do, there are health benefits. Has it been easy for me? Of course not.  I've suffered nausea, sinus infections (everything swells), varicose veins, mastitus, sleep deprivation, and a special needs child. There is a whole gamut of symptoms and factors that go with the territory, but when I chose to have babies, I chose it all. I guess when you put it that way, I am very, Pro-choice.

     Personally, breast cancer is as close to my heart as anyone, but as a parent of an Autistic son, I've been frustrated that more money isn't being poured into this vague and puzzling disorder. I've been annoyed further as I walk the aisles of the grocery store and I am hard pressed to find products that don't carry the Susan G. Komen pink ribbon. I have refused to buy them because I knew some of those dollars would go to Planned Parenthood. Susan G. Komen as a non-profit has every right to donate its money to whatever organization it deems fit. Since I think abortion is wrong, I can't agree with any organization that contributes to it. This includes the federal government. I don't want my tax money feeding the coffers and tiny coffins of a morally wrong law. Roe vs. Wade in my opinion is bad law. Over 54 million lives have been snuffed out because of abortion. Less than 1% of those are caused by rape or incest. My daughter Danika has thought about this 1% and expressed, "If a girl is raped, becomes pregnant, and aborts the baby, then she has two things to feel bad about."

Fifty-four million is a whole society of innocents.

     I recently read an article that I will link to this essay concerning illegalizing abortion. Sooner or later, when it is outlawed, we will have a lot to deal with. We faced a lot when slavery was outlawed. Even after the Civil Rights Act was passed, our troubles with prejudice weren't over. I remember desegration in schools, growing up in South Florida. I was bussed across town to attend another school with African American students, all the while a perfectly good elementary school building stood, literally across the street. My point is that, as a civil and human rights issue, abortion  and the beginning of the aborting of it, will cause a lot of tension, but tension that we as a nation will have to reckon.

     As far as fiscal matters, I am conservative in this as well. I care about the economy. I care that the middle class is dwindling and we are enlarging an already impoverished class. If we are to pay for more and more people who don't work, with tax dollars, and over forty percent of our population doesn't pay taxes, where are we going to get the money? It doesn't make sense.

     I am unfortunately convinced that our country needs to defend herself. I am not pro-war. I believe in war as a last resort, with only just cause. I think that as dangerous as our world is, boundaries and deterrents are necessary to keep terrorist bullies at bay. So again, I am a conservative.

     In matters of sexual orientation, I am also conservative. Let me clarify. Homosexuality is not something I would want for my children. Life is hard enough. Homosexuality doesn't procreate and is not natural. I don't really get it, and that's ok. No one I've known as a close friend who is gay is loved any less by me. Besides that, it's really none of my business. A citizen's ability to wait on a table, style hair, dig a ditch, teach a class, fight as a soldier, or fix a car, shouldn't have anything to do with his or her sexual orientation. If it is called a union, a companionship, a relationship, so be it. I shouldn't have to validate it, anymore than a heterosexual has to be validated. Starbucks proclaiming that it backs gay marriage is well within its rights. I do express my opinion though: No one is being refused service, as during the time of Jim Crow, and ya know honestly, I just want to enjoy my coffee.

     Probably the most crucial value I hold as a conservative is in my gratitude for religious freedom. Freedom costs. It takes faith to stand up for what you believe in, even when you don't feel like believin'. I'm not talking about a public persona. Jesus saves us one by one and this path is wrought with struggle and pain. Love isn't fuzzy and warm. These are certainly bonus feelings of love, but love works. Love sacrifices, love speaks in action. I certainly respect people of faiths that differ from my own, but I don't like extremism, and the Islam terrorists that slammed into the Twin Towers are not to be respected. They don't like us. The U.S. was founded on freedom from tyranny, mostly Christian principles. I do not think that disagreeing with a mosque being built at Ground Zero is a bigoted viewpoint. I think it's only rational.

     Within the vein of freedom of religion is the issue of charity and generosity. As a Christian, I am convicted to be concerned for those less fortunate. I am moved by heroes who do for others without expecting anything in return. I am obligated to practice generosity, patience, and tolerance. I am glad to pay for libraries, education, roads, police and fire squads, and most of the rest. Just let me have a little more control over who I'd like to donate. I can think for myself. I am a conservative.

     Thank you for reading. I feel that I've been a bit displaced sometimes. Coming late to the circle of writers, I am finding that most are introverts. That would not be "moi." I have also observed that many artists, writers, and right brains tend to be liberal in their politics. I'm kind of a black sheep in that pasture too. I don't mean to come off as self-righteous, high minded, or whatever conservatives are labeled. I just want to find common ground, but not at the expense of what I believe to be true. If you are my friends, you will understand...just like I understand your viewpoints...as your friend.

Sincerely,
Susan

   http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-end-of-abortion-will-not-be-pretty      
  

  

15 comments:

  1. Good Stuff! People really need to open their eyes!

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  2. Very well writ-
    I'm a "right brained" conservative, (add one more to the list):)
    ....Blessed are those who have eyes to see...
    I say that humbly, hoping and praying our country will wake up before it's too late.
    God have mercy.

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    1. Thanks for reading. I just came to check on something I thought may be worded wrong, and found your comment. I agree, Lord, Have Mercy.

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  3. Susan, Although, I disagree with a lot of your sentiments, especially since my mom is a breast cancer survivor so I support ALL efforts to rid the world of this disease, and I don't believe anyone has the right on this earth to tell me what I can do with my body or do I feel I have the right to pass judgement on anyone, I do believe that God put us here to evoke passion in us towards a lot of things that make us individuals. I appreciate the words that you have written and I applaud your gusto for conviction. Great writing! Keep it up!
    Kelli Gonyea

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  4. this is my favorite post of yours EVER!!! it is so well written, so passionate, so fair. i think your viewpoints leave room for others to have their own but at the same time leave no doubt as to where you stand. this may cause controversy of course and definitely a lot of conversation, but like you and i have talked about before, conversation is good. it gives us a starting point to decide what's really important in life. i stand with you girl, through it all. much love!!!

    colleen :)

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    1. Colleen,
      Thanks for commenting. I just had to get it down on paper! The thing that I'm discovering with writing is that, usually as an orator (somebody who talks too much, lol)words filter through the air, facial expressions, body language, and back and forth exchange. In writing, I can ponder,muse, examine, and then rewrite. It gives me a forum to not be too emotional or fly off the handle. Also in writing, we are supposed to tell the truth. People know when we are playing it safe (Pat Conroy said that). Love you my friend...

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  5. The great thing is we all can make the choices we want...and likewise, face the consequences of our choices. Amen, I cannot stand others' viewpoints being plastered/shoved down my throat...but we all have a backbone to walk away, or to not purchase a product per se, or to disagree through a conversation or debate. That's the beauty of opinions and views and beliefs. Well written, as always...you are a great writer and I love your conviction. Doesn't mean I agree with all of it, but a lot I do. This day in time, one is hard pressed to find products out there that don't support some other organization out there....so they, like us, have their own beliefs/values/convictions. See, that's the beauty. Love to you and your sweet family.

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    1. Hi Christy! Thanks for reading and letting me know you read. While writing this, I could see how others would see different angles, and some of those I share also. To include all of my opinions would have made this too long. I understand that breast cancer is complicated by all kinds of factors, (lifestyle & genetics), I am offering my own experience. I have had a graze with the disease, but it turned out to be benign fibro cysts caused by hormone therapy and too much caffeine. What I want my liberal friends to understand is that conservatism that's portrayed in the media is not always accurate. I am conservative but I am not a bigot or a hypocrite. My life has not been a cake walk and I don't like being insulted or judged as a religious finantic. I agree with you on the beauty of being able to pick and choose. Where it gets muddy is when our deep convictions are not being represented and we are forced to support things we don't agree (with hard earned tax money). Thanks for the compliments.
      Love back to you and yours...

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  6. Susan, I so appreciate your asking that I check this out. You have beautifully expressed your beliefs! I also cherish the knowledge that our country was founded on Christian beliefs. I do believe that our God is a just God. I believe that He has given us the ability to make decisions, and that we will answer for our decisions. I believe that we are to love each other, which does not necessarily mean that we always agree with each other. I believe that we are to look are to care for the needy. We are to be His hands and feet.
    Thank you for passion and conviction!

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    1. Hi Karen,
      Thanks for taking your time to read my blog. I would love if you would follow! I agree with you. If only people could see Jesus when they look at us and not judgement, prejudice and hypocrisy. It's a fine line to walk, standing up for what's right and being loving at the same time, not passing judgment. Isn't that what Jesus did? God Bless...

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  7. Hi Susan,

    Well said! I appreciate that you are able to express your, and my, faith and convictions w/o calling those with whom we disagree names. I think that is where 'civil' discourse breaks down. Everything I've read during this Susan G. Komen debate has been vicious toward those of us who are pro-life. That stops all discussion. Frankly, no one is stopping anyone from contributing to either charity! This outrage seems ridiculous to me. My mother is a 22 year breast cancer survivor, my son is a cancer survivor, and I am now battling cancer. I would never support the Komen org. because they support a pro-abortion organization. Poor women can get free mammograms through a lot of city services and other organizations. PP is not the only one who offers this service. But, their main service is abortions, and they make plenty of profit from that business; and they also get a lot of federal monies. There are many fine charities that do research for breast cancer, w/o giving grants to an org. with whom I disagree. We are a free people; we can support whatever charity we choose - that is 'pro-choice', too. Thanks, Susan, love, rickee

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    1. Rickee, I think because of your experience, your opinion has merit. I remember when your son had cancer. Good point about being pro-choice!

      Love to you and yours,
      Susan

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  8. Amazing editorial Susan very truth based and thoughtful consideration/research. Very sincere commentary combined with personal experience makes for convincing, powerful statements. You are definitely using that Communications degree,excellent author. Can't wait to read your blog. JS

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    1. Hmmmm. JS? Wonder who that could be? Thank you for reading. It's been awhile since I've looked at this. Now it seems toooo long, lol.
      If this is the JS I'm thinking of, well...the most beautiful, inside and out.

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