The “Let’s Re-Write the Constitution as We See Fit” Party August 31, 2004 ~ 12:30 pm
Posted by Julie in : Daily Grind , trackbackI know, I know. I said I wasn’t going to talk politics today. But I’m finally making my way through The New York Times today - work is insane, keeping me from the news and blogging - and reading the description of the Republican Party Platform. Things I disagree with:
- A proposed “human life amendment” to the Constitution, which would outlaw abortion. I don’t know that I could ever have an abortion, because I’ve never been in that position. But the idea that some middle-aged or elderly white man who will never have even the slightest idea what it’s like to be a raped woman, a battered woman, a woman whose health hangs in the balance, or hell, just a woman faced with these decisions boils my blood. You can’t experience what it’s like because Mother Nature didn’t give you a uterus. I don’t dictate what you can do with your penis, don’t tell me what I can do with my body. And an Amendment? Excuse me, but this just seems wrong all the way around. Amendments are written to protect our freedoms, not curtail them.
- Non-recognition of not only gay marriage, but civil unions and domestic partnerships as well. We all know this was a planned Amendment as well, and it is nothing short of legalized discrimination. Welcome back to segregation, kids. And it’s not any more right this time around. Separate is not equal. And not recognizing gays doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Maybe I’ll stop recongnizing bigoted Republicans…oh, wait, they’re still there.
- Privatized Social Security. I already have a pension plan with a fair amount manditorily invested in stocks, which I may never see when I’m old enough to collect, if the stock market goes bust again. I don’t want Social Security similarly dependent on the whims of the economy.
Let me tell you a little story about Social Security under the Republicans. My father died when I was a little under two years old. He was 59, and had served as an Army Air Corpsman in World War II. As his child, I was entitled to Social Security benefits to help my mom support me. I got them until I was 18. Might seem like a nice long time. However, pre-Reagan, surviving children had Social Security benefits through college. Those benefits helped to pay for the child’s college education. Reagan got rid of that. As a result, I have $50,000 in college loans that I’ll be repaying till my kids are old enough to go to college. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have taken out loans to afford college. I’m not that naive. But my debt would have been lower.
/end rant. I’m not mad at all Republicans. I even like some people who are Republicans. (Hi, Rhonda!) I just disagree with these ideas that the GOP is using to frame their party with this year. They’re nothing short of discrimination. And I had hoped that we, as a people, had outgrown this. Guess not. But what can we expect from the people who have boycotted Heinz ketchup at their Convention. Grow up. This isn’t grade school. But I hope you’re enjoying the crappy Hunt’s ketchup. 
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