Politics

We rarely discussed politics in my family. Probably because my dad's ideology falls more in line with Republicans and my mom's with Democrats and somewhere along the line they decided it was best to not talk about who they support...in the interest of peace. I didn't have much interest in politics; taking for granted that I (and my ability to work) would be able to provide for my basic needs and wants, and the government would make sure no one blows me up overnight. That was an easy position to take in my circle of people just like me.

But in the last 10 years I have known immigrants and refugees with literally nothing, experienced racial tensions at the grocery store, lived in one of the worst public school districts in the state, found out raw sewage flows into a "river" close to my house every time it storms, heard my husband complain about people with no life threatening injury nor illness and no health insurance calling an ambulance for a ride to the hospital, and seen US Citizens blown up on 9/11 without any warning.

Steve and I voted for different people in the 2008 election. And now he shoots me little looks that say, "see what you did?" when reporters criticize Obama's economic recovery plans or give details of the health care bill. I'm not offended. I'd look at him the same way if the tables were turned and Sarah Palin got within 2 feet of a microphone. Because of the health care bill, many of my friends have been more vocal about their political views and how the government should be less involved in everything and that got me thinking about what life would be like if the government wasn't involved in anything but protecting our country. Complete freedom! It leaves the success, progress and well-being of our country up to its citizens. It leaves it up to individuals and the corporations they make up. Left to our own devices and our own sets of ideologies, would we really do a better job at taking care of each other? I just don't have that much faith in people. So I'm not against our government trying to bring some access and reasonable pricing to health care, or slapping Toyota with a hefty fine for selling cars that are unsafe, or telling banks they can't approve a loan for a mansion to a couple that makes $30,ooo a year. There are lots of things our government supports and regulates that I am against, too. But big picture, I feel like our government does a better job looking out for me than the individuals in my city do. And without having to seek them out, I am able to help a lot of people who need it through my government.