FINALLY

Finally, the day has arrived! November 4, 2008, election day. Luke and I have already voted, Jack and I waited in line for over 3 hours on Saturday to cast our vote for Obama/ Biden, Jill Long-Thompson for governor, Nels Ackerson for House. I'm so excited for voting in my second election, the first time didn't go my way, so I'm hoping that this one does. If it doesn't, I fear the path that our country will continue on.

I am by no means a one issue voter; however, I am a one party voter. Many people criticize me for this, but I have my reasons. Unfortunately, in our current political scene, parties get things done, people don't. I cannot in good judgment vote for a person whom I like as a person; however have fundamental differences in beliefs and values. Many characterize my beliefs as radical, which I openly, happily accept and recognize. I may be radical, but I fundamentally care about people more than money and think that the well being of millions outweighs the importance of rich people getting richer. I vote based on my values, beliefs and ethics. I vote based on the world that I want my son to grow up in. I vote based on the beliefs, values and ethics that Luke and I are raising Jack to embrace.

I have been reading a lot about abortion lately, I know that this is a hot button issue for many, heck, and many people vote on this one issue alone. I am solidly pro-choice; however I do not think that being pro-choice and being pro-life are mutually exclusive. As a college student, I volunteered at a high risk pregnancy center, working with many women who were young, many who where impoverished, women who were choosing to have their child, regardless of the horrible life situation that they were living in. When I graduated I worked as an in home social worker, helping women who had their children taken away from them, children who were living in foster homes, children who nobody wanted to adopt because they were older. When we moved to Indiana, I chose to work at Healthy Families, working with women to help them provide a better life for their children and themselves. I lovingly accepted these women for who they were and advocated on behalf of them. Where are all of the "pro-lifers" or as I call them, "anti-choicers" then? Oh, I forgot, for many "pro-life/anti-choice" people, all caring about life ends once a child is born. Is it a coincidence that many people who are pro-life/anti-choice are also anti welfare, anti fair wage, anti contraception? God forbid we give these people food for their children, clothes or a warm house. We certainly cannot teach teens about the dangers of SEX, about birth control, because, as well all know, they shouldn’t be having sex to begin with. Once they do choose to have sex and they do get pregnant, we shouldn’t really have to provide them with good medical care, as long as they can go to the free clinic, they’ll be fine. No matter what, don’t provide them with food, shelter or clothing, you know, because they shouldn’t have gotten pregnant to begin with. $5.50 is all that businesses can afford to pay workers, if they have to pay them more, the companies would go out of business, workers should be thankful for the employment.

Many "Christians" use the pro-life/anti-choice argument as a faith based concern. These are the same Christians who conveniently forget about the importance of following other teachings, such as the importance of anointing the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry. These are all values that I think God truly cares about. Isaiah 58:6-7, "Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor."

While I know some pro-life/anti-choice people who definitely live their faith, help people and advocate for them, unfortunately, they are not in the majority.

Until I know pro-lifer/anti-choice people who actually live their belief of being able to live from conception to natural death, I will not accept their argument. Until I know pro-life/anti-choice people who take steps to foster or adopt unwanted children, I cannot accept their position. Until I know pro-life/anti-choice people who advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, accept the necessity of welfare and work towards a nation that is not divisive, racist or selfish, I cannot and will not accept their position.

Yes, I am pro-choice, but I advocate for life on all levels, from birth to natural death.