This is about the answers Vice Presidential Candidates Paul Ryan and Joe Biden gave regarding how being life long Catholics affect their view on politics. These responses were given during the one and only vice presidential debate last Thursday, October 11th, 2012. This is my two cents, it’s not my dollar, not the whole nuts and bolts. However, in a nutshell it is why I stand where I stand.
YOU can believe whatever you want to believe, and it is not my place to question or protest that. It is completely my place to question, protest and outright make a scene when your beliefs interfere with my way of life and MY beliefs.
“I don’t see how a person can separate their public life from their private life or from their faith. Our faith informs us in everything we do.”- Congressman Paul Ryan 10/11/12
Versus
“My religion defines who I am, and I’ve been a practicing Catholic my whole life… But I refuse to impose it on equally devout Christians and Muslims and Jews, and I just refuse to impose that on others, unlike my friend here, the — the congressman.”- Vice President Biden 10/11/12
To me that is the take away to this campaign. One side wants smaller government in regards to social programs and spending. How much, in terms of dollars and cents are the poor, the elderly, the ill and the wounded worth? The other side wants smaller government in regards to our social choice. How much freedom do we have in terms of our personal decisions on who we love, have sex with, choose to have or not to have children with, who we marry?
One side would impose their morality on the other, not trusting that different people come to their crossroads by different journeys and will choose their own path. Moreover, not trusting that we are capable and cognizant of these choices.
In November, I will vote for Obama again and know that his America is more in line with the country I want for my son and my daughters.
That being said, I am eternally grateful that, for all its problems, we live in a country that dreams bigger than it is, and allows us to dream bigger than we are. Our potential, my friends, is worth doing one’s best for, worth bending, compromising, and finding solutions. May our politicians find it so.
Set your drink down, and take a moment, to revel in the possibilities, in OUR possibilities. For time can be rewritten and the future is not set.
Thank you, Ray Charles.
8 comments
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October 15, 2012 at 9:04 am
Irene
It’s hard in this time to look back and see the mistakes that get made over and over again. It’s also hard to look forward with any degree of certainty, but I do believe we must look to the country we want for our kids and there is only choice to make.
Oh, how I wish this were all over already!
I’m with you, babe.
October 15, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Kimberly
Beautifully put, my dear, and with no swear words at all I’m with you, and I’m also happy to be out of the country while part of this is going on. Campaign season is the worst.
October 15, 2012 at 4:27 pm
karenwilsonbonnar
Even though I watched the debate, the gravity of that statement alone, did not hit home. Thank you for pointing it out, so eloquently.
October 15, 2012 at 4:46 pm
erika6390
Thanks, Karen- for me, it struck to the core. I appreciate how you always read my posts- you are the best!
October 16, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Sheila Mom
On these points, I can only agree with you and support your candidate!
October 23, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Dom
This is one of my biggest issues as well. This is America. A place of many, many different faiths and religions. Why is anyone’s way of thinking more important than anyone else’s? It’s not. That’s the point. Do not impose your ideas, morals and choices on me because I do not agree with yours. I am just as important as you are so back off.
October 27, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Robert Gardner
Erika your comments on the VP debate and life long Catholics was beautiful and eloquent. It is such a tragedy we live in a political climate where there is no room for compromise and tolerance. I so admire your attitude about our political process. Love Dad
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October 27, 2012 at 3:06 pm
erika6390
My first comment from one of my parents! Gold star day, and all the more reason to endeavor to put quality posts on this blog! Thanks, Dad!