thirtyoneblog

I’m not really sure why I felt compelled to blog about this particular issue, because it’s not one that I’m unusually fired up about as an issue unto itself, but the situation is just such nonsense that I found myself with some things to say about it.

The Texas legislature is, as we speak, about to close without taking action on a bill requiring voters to show ID at the polls. Now first and foremost, the idea that a person shouldn’t have to prove they are who they say they are, to cast the vote they’re entitled to, is just insane. Who wouldn’t want such proof, unless they are in fact part of some voter fraud? Who wouldn’t want voters to prove their identification unless they feel they would lose votes from people who had something to hide and thus didn’t want to show ID? This is just asinine. You have to show ID to rent a movie at Blockbuster, or to get on an airplane, or to write a check. Why is no one complaining about that? Proving one’s identification is just part of living in this society. If you want to participate in an activity that requires ID, then you get one.

Requiring voters to show ID is not discriminatory. It’s organized. It’s fair. It’s part of an honest and aboveboard voting process. You prove you are who you say you are, and then you get to vote. A person can register to vote online, or by mail. How then does it ever get proved that the person who registered is the person standing at the polls?

But what really gets to me is that the Dems, to avoid having action taken on this bill, are stalling in the House and piddling away the time on insignificant minor legislation until the session is over and it’s too late to take action on this bill. That proves to me that they know the bill makes sense and they know it has wide support and would pass. What a waste! This is what these people call representing the constituents? Monkeying around to avoid doing the actual work they were elected to do? Talk about ridiculous! This reminds me of the time half the House fled to Oklahoma to kill the quorum and avoid taking action on a redistricting bill. What a cop out and a total embarrassment to the party and the state.

I can understand having differences of opinion on issues. I can understand someone thinking choice is to be valued over life, or someone thinking that socialist redistribution of wealth is what is fair and just. I totally disagree with these views, but I can appreciate that in the purest form, these are differences of opinion and we are all entitled to that. What I cannot understand is using stalling tactics to avoid doing your job. Bring the bill to the floor, take a vote, and whatever the outcome, accept it as the result of a system of democracy. Otherwise, go on home, and let someone who will actually do the job, take your seat in the House.

I couldn’t let as historic a day as today pass without noting what’s in my head at the moment. I was at work and unable to watch the entire day’s events, but I did peek into a conference room that had a TV at one point and saw Rick Warren’s prayer, the oaths, and part of Obama’s speech. I am more at peace than I had thought I might be, and more optimistic than I had thought I could be.

I hope that he can deliver all that he has promised to do, although I feel that it would be naive to think that he can. There are a lot of people who poured their heart and soul (and votes!) into lofty thoughts and dreams over the last two years. Some of those dreams will happen, but those of us who are realistic know that the promises probably far outweigh what will be accomplished.

That’s not altogether a terrible thing, because hope and faith can breed positive results. But it has to be tempered with realism and judging from many, many comments out there, lots of people are way beyond realism. All they know is “Yes We Can.” Well, “yes we can” what exactly?

I am happy that today the rest of the world thinks positive things about the U.S., but I am sad that we put so much emphasis on what other people think. (There will probably be a whole other post about that). While we all have to live in this world, we shouldn’t feel obligated to steer in the direction of what others approve of. This is our country, our needs, our priorities. Yes, I care about our relationships with other nations, but I care more about our doing what is right.

I am apprehensive about the economy. I vote Republican almost always, but I am at heart a fiscal Republican, not a social one. Well, that’s not entirely true. I lean right on social issues, but I do not vote that way if other issues don’t line up for me. I am at heart a capitalist, and I believe that we all have opportunities to make great things for ourselves. The government does us no favors by removing the motivation to succeed on one’s own merits. I don’t want something for nothing. I want to earn it. I’ve been well-off and I’ve been dirt poor. I didn’t get to be either of those because of someone else. My own decisions and actions determined my result. I think that’s good enough for everyone. I’ve watched people talk about how with Obama as President, they won’t have to worry about finances anymore. That scares the daylights out of me.

But I will say this: I have reservations which are founded in my own beliefs and principles clashing with what is now our leadership. But he is still my President. I don’t care what he does that I will disagree with and I’m sure there will be plenty. He is still my President, and deserves my prayerful support. He’ll get it. And I have heard nothing but the same sentiment expressed throughout my conservative circle and beyond. I’m proud to say the next 4 (8?) years will be different than the last 8 in precisely that way. We’re taking the high road, and this country will be better because of it.