Republican Rhetoric

2012 is a presidential election year, and the GOP race is in full force. I feel it is important to teach my girls the importance of citizenship, and why it is so crucial to make informed decisions to elect our public leaders. I also feel I should tell you why I am a conservative, and why I believe what I believe. Mikayla and Macey, you will always be free to choose your own path and your own philosophy, but do so with an informed mind.

I am a conservative because I believe in people. I believe that at their core, people are good and kind. I believe that people are capable of making their own decisions on how to live their lives and spend their money, without the interference of the government. I do not believe that the government should be able to regulate how I live my life.

I am conservative because I believe in the Constitution of the United States of America. I believe that the founding fathers of our nation were imperfect, God-fearing men who crafted a document that set up the greatest and strongest government ever known on earth. The constitution is relevent today, and it should not be open to interpretations that deviate from the intent of the founding fathers. The founding fathers knew that times would change, and allowed the constitution to be a living and breathing document with specific steps to amend the document.

I am a conservative because I believe that the money I work for is mine. I believe in paying taxes, to take care of general communal needs like roads, schools and city services. There should be minimal governmental restrictions on the money that I earn.

I am a conservative because I believe that higher taxes punish initiative and undermine a free market economy. Just because someone makes more money, it does not mean that person (or business) should have to pay a higher percentage to the government. The people who are making the most money are also creating jobs. There is no motivation to grow a company if the only outcome will be to turn over those profits to the government.

I am a conservative because I believe that the United States was founded on the fundamental principle that individuals have inalienable rights and freedoms that cannot be infringed upon. These rights should only be restricted to the degree necessary to preserve the rights of others.

I am a conservative because I believe that the preservation of our rights and freedoms must be entrusted to a strong national defense. It is imperative that the United States retains the ability to negotiate with other nations from a position of strength. A strong military force is necessary to serve and protect our great nation.

I am a conservative because I believe that Americans must embrace the traditional values of family, morals and principles to keep America strong.

I am a conservative because I believe that moral behavior cannot be legislated, no matter how many laws are passed to protect citizens from the stupid and the immoral. Moral behavior must be taught and instilled in children at an early age.

I am a conservative because I believe that parents have the right to choose how to raise their children and what values to teach their children. This includes the right to public, private or home education. The competition between public and private schools can only increase the level of education.

I am a conservative because I believe in the saying, "Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime." I believe that it is the responsibility of the strong and rich to teach the poor and weak how to better themselves, to teach them how to live and how to "fish." It is not the role of the strong and rich to be governmentally forced to support the weak and poor.

I am conservative because I believe in hard work. I believe that if you work hard and put your everything into something, it will always benefit you. Anyone can achieve success with hard work and determination. Where there is a will, there is a way.

I am a conservative because I believe that with great freedom comes great responsibility, and that all people should be held accountable for their actions. Our justice system should reflect this, as well. Some crimes are so heinous that the only punishment that fits the crime(s) is death. I fully support the death penalty, when applied to criminals who are guilty of heinous crimes beyond reasonable doubt.

I am a conservative because I believe that everyone has the power within them to make their own choices in life. No one is beholden to their circumstances, no matter how awful they may be. Each of us must account for our actions, and we cannot blame others for our choices.

I am a conservative because I believe that all Americans can live together and embrace one another without diminishing the rights of others. This does not, however, mean that I have to condone another's behavior. I am free, according to the 1st Amendment, to express my dissenting opinions. Just because I don't agree with your life choices, doesn't mean I don't accept you or that I am judging you.

I am a conservative because I believe that when I have a differing opinion, it creates opponents, not enemies.

I am a conservative because I believe that all public servants should be held to the highest ethical standard. They are in a position of authority, and therefore should be examples to the rest of society.
“If a man cannot be trusted with the government of himself, can he be trusted with the government of others?” Thomas Jefferson

I am a conservative because I believe that while we are granted certain rights from God, many people mistake rights for "privileges." It is vital that we understand the difference between the two, and not to demand privileges or entitlements from the government.

I am a conservative because I believe that the world owes me nothing. The world was here before I was, and it does not owe me a living, a home, a job, a car, insurance, health care or even food. I must work for those things. I believe that if I need those things, and I am incapable of being able to get those things, it is not the job of the government to take care of me; it is rather my family’s responsibility to take care of my basic needs.

I could probably keep going, but this list will suffice for now. It is my prayer, my sweet girls, that you will grow in your faith and knowledge. I will teach you to live by principles, morals and Christian values. I will teach you to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. It will not always be easy or fun, and sometimes it will seem like I am ruining your life. I apologize now for that, but no one owes you a thing. You owe your everything to the One who gave it all. So stand with arms high and heart abandoned to honor and worship Him. (That’s partly the lyrics to the Hillsong United song, “Stand”)

Love

It seems like every day, there is a new famous couple who is breaking up or getting a divorce. With the divorce rate at around 50 percent, something has gone horrendously wrong. I have such a hard time with watching a marriage dissolve on reality TV. Kim Kardashian, a socialite who has too much money and too little personality, was married to NBA player Kris Humphries for 72 days. They have a reality TV show where the whole nation - make that world - can watch the 72 days unravel. The entire time I am watching this show, it is so blatantly obvious that Kim has no clue whatsoever about what love really is.

The Kardashians have had several reality TV shows, including a $20 million wedding special of Kim and Kris' nuptials. Throughout the pre-marital shows, Kim and Kris are "in love." They both gush about how much they love each other, and they want to spend the rest of their lives together. As soon as they are married, everything that Kris does bothers Kim. Kim expects Kris to be at her beck and call. Kris tries to exert his "manhood" to prove that he will not be manipulated by Kim. It all comes down to a warped sense of what love truly is. Kim is selfish, unwilling to compromise, and not once does she think of her husband, his desires or his needs.

It is my prayer, my dear children, that you learn what real love is. Do not buy into the reality TV version of what the secular world teaches you is love. The Bible says in I Corinthians that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Love is not just the butterflies you get in your stomach or the fairy tale that a little girl dreams of when she is growing up. Love is a commitment. It is committing to someone that you will cherish them for always. Love is a choice. It is a choice every day to willingly put that person's life and well-being above one's own. It is not easy, and it is not always roses and rainbows.

Love is willingly sacrificing your own happiness to see a smile on that person's face. If you are not willing to sacrifice, or if you are having feelings of resentment toward that person for what you have given up, then it is not love, and you need to move on. When you first realize it is not love, move on then. Do not try to make it work; do not hold on, because that will only lead to further heartache for you and that other person.

Don't waste your time on someone who doesn't see how awesome you are. Love is a two-way street, and if someone doesn't love you the way you are, he is the one who is missing out. Love him, be kind to him, then move on.

God has someone so special for each of you, and He is preparing each man for you. Remember that it will be on His timing for your life, not yours. I pray for both men that will one day marry each of you. I pray that God is protecting them and keeping them safe. I pray that He is preparing their hearts to listen to His word and His voice. I pray that He fashions both men to be the spiritual leader in your life that you need and want. In addition, Mikayla and Macey, I pray that the Lord is molding your heart to learn to love and learn to listen to Him.

You two girls in such a short time have taught me so much about love and life, and about God's will and God's way. You are both so special and so precious. I pray that you will listen and heed my words and God's words. I love you both to the moon and back.