Are you drunk?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

EH-hem (insert sound of cracking knuckles):

Okay...I have my java....First let me say that in referencing Democrats, I mean the politicians. Some of my best friends are Democrats and when I had both of my kids before I was married, they were the only people that didn't judge me or the decisions I made, whereas my Republican friends all gave me a shitload of crap for not doing things the way they thought I should. I have very few close friends in the village I live in, but two of my very closest friends are lesbians and they are my absolute favorite couple in town. My husband's favorite, too. When I was a single mom with my daughter, I was on WIC and when my husband lost his job, we were on food stamps and Social Services to get by while he was on unemployment. Growing up, my next door neighbors were the only black family for MILES. Their mom was my girl scout leader and the only time a difference was referenced or felt between their daugther and I was when I noticed how nice a gold bracelet looked on her brown skin and how horrible it looked on mh pink/white skin...and how silver had the same effect, only opposite. There were other differences, but they were embraced, not scoffed at. Sounds like maybe I should be a Democrat,

but I'm not...

I'm a Republican and I'm proud to be so, and this is why:

I believe in absolute total equality for everyone. The basic prinicpal behind what the GOP stands for supports this. For some reason, everyone thinks that Republicans are racist. Why? Because we don't agree with affirmative action? Because we don't think that people should sit on their cans at home and collect welfare? A Republican is all for a black person succeeding. My next door neighbors...the father had a decent job and the mom ran a small day care stint out of her house. They supported themselves and their children with a JOB. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president and freed the slaves in the South...when the Southern Democrats thought that having the slaves was their 'God-given right'. Republicans gave blacks the right to freedom and to succeed through hard work and equality. Somewhere along the line, though, 'success' has been distorted into handouts and special privileges that, in my opinion, keeps slavery going for the Democrats, but in a different way. It is my opinion that this happened around the time that blacks were given the right to vote. Suddenly, Democrats said, "Hey, now that they can vote for us, we need them on our side..." and then all the atrocities the Democrats bestowed on blacks were easily distorted into things the Republicans had been doing to them. Democrats turned welfare from something that was put in place for people that had a harsh stretch of luck and needed temporary help to survive, into a way of life, making an entire class of people dependent on them so that, at voting time, they will vote for the people that are putting food on their table, a roof over their head, etc. Next, it will be, "we all need to vote Democrat or we'll lose our health insurance!" A Republican's viewpoint is that true indepencence and freedom comes from less government in your lives and being able to be successful from your own hard work and true equality.

Gay marriage. I love Kim and Kate (my friends stated above) and think they should be given every opportunity every other couple is given. But why does it have to be marriage? Gay people have been spending the last few decades proving how different they are and how we should accept that. So, why are they so adament about taking the sacrament of marriage and distorting it to fit their needs? Why isn't a civil union enough? Personally, I don't really care that much about it because in a world where there is so much hate, two people being in love and finding peace in an unconventional relationship...if they're happy , I'm happy, but this is the conservative/republican viewpoint. Even Elton John has said that gay people should just call it something different and all would be okay with the subject. And if its ever legal, I hope I'm a bridesmaid at Kim and Kate's. Admittedly, I'm way more moderate on this subject, but it still goes along with my 'everyone should be equal' diatribe.

Regarding lying and the Iraq war. Everyone always says that GW lied to us about WMDs. It is clearly documented that he was given wrong information. I don't know the exact stats, but a great majority of Dems voted to approve the Iraq war. Was it executed to perfection? Were there mistakes made? Of course, sadly. At the end of the day, we weren't fighting a nation, we were fighting a giant, dangerous gang of thugs. They can't be reasoned with or treatied with. This is a whole different kind of war that is being fought on a learning curve at best. This is a touchy subject that I don't really know a lot of details about. This is just my big-picture opinion on it.

Sarah Palin/Barack Obama: Why the HELL does everyone hate her so much on the Democrat side? On this side of the fence, it looks like the Democrats are scared to DEATH of her. Sarah Palin was the governer of a HUGE state that borders Russia. Barack Obama was a senator of Illinois. I remember seeing him waving as he won that seat and the media saying...'Will he run for president?' It seemed like about fifteen minutes went by and he started running. Vigorously. So, when did he to any senatoring? It seems like his whole time in elected office he spent running for president. What made him so darn qualified when at the same time, Sarah Palin was lambasted as not having enough experience. Double standards, that's why. Any point that anyone can give me that made her unqualified for VP, I could give you five reasons why BO was unqualified. My opinion, he was voted in because he's black and she was ousted by the media because she's a republican. Will BO make a great president? Time will tell...but if he is great, it won't have anything to do with him being black...it will be because he has proven himself to be great despite the color of his skin. If a republican criticizes BO, we are automatically labeled a racist, but the people that voted for him because he was black, in my opinion, are just as racist. Someone should be voted in because they are the best person for the job regardless of skin color, religion, etc.

Tax breaks for the wealthy. Okay...this is where I'll really piss people off. I'm poor. Dirt poor. We live paycheck to paycheck. This is the way I see a Democrat would want it to be. If you are unemployed and on welfare, refusing to get a job, we will give you everything you need...a roof, three squares, daycare so you can watch Tyra in peace and we'll even pay for you to go to college. If you are working middle class.......we will get money out of you where you don't notice...higher prices for everything you buy from the rich because we are taxing the shit out of them, so they will raise the prices of their goods to offset the taxes they have to pay....but the Dems won't mention that...they just won't raise your taxes If you are ungodly rich, we are going to squeeze so much of your hard earned money that you will be forced to send your workforce over seas in order to stay in business and force you to raise the prices of what you are selling. How DARE you be rich...there are poor, listless, lazy people here that we need to control (because there are more of them than you and they can vote!).

This is how I see taxing the rich. Rich people are CONTRIBUTORS to society. They are our employers. They give us a paycheck, heathcare and they are huge contributors to charities. MOST of them are rich because they put things in place in their lives to make themselves that way. Sure, there are a few that inherited their fortunes or they are overpaid, undereducated idiots such as celebrities and athletes, but for the most part, the rich are rich because they played their cards right. Without them, life would suck. Poor people (poorer than me), on the otherhand, are tapeworms. They are totally dependent on US taking care of them. They contribute nothing back to society and they make US pay for their mistakes and poor decisions. Often times, they are taught by their parents and grandparents that welfare is a way of living. On the other hand, there are many, many people that NEED that helping hand and I'm all for giving it out. My husband lost his job two years ago and we spent six months on Social Services and food stamps. It was TEMPORARY. He got a new job and we went off it and without it, we would have starved and lost our home. That is what welfare/public assistance is meant for. My husband has been paying into it for decades and for a time, we benefited from it. What gives me a vaginal rash is when people use if for their way of living with NO intention of ever getting off it. I remember seeing a woman on TV that had two kids and living on welfare. This was when there was a motion to stop giving women additional welfare if they have MORE kids while on the welfare....she said, "How DARE the government tell me how many kids I can have!" How fucking arrogant! Get a job! Get a husband to support you! Stop being a fucking parasite! Be a woman and stop take care of yourself and your children, you whore!!!

Okay...I took my paxil...I'm calm now...

I wouldn't trust a Democrat politician ever. I believe that they are all control freaks, liars and don't care at ALL about the people that depend on them. Are republican politians liars, too? Of course...to be a polititian is to be that way. Democrats, however, I believe, take it to absurd levels.

So, to answer your question, Zilla: Republicans stand for:

Absolute, total equality
Hard work
Independence and
Freedom

Is there a moral code that goes in there that makes people think we're racists and homophobes? If you want to look at it that way, then that's your perogotive. But its people pushing their 'rights' on those that like their world the way it is that makes them that way. How many neighborhoods in Buffalo do you remember as being a nice, Polish neighborhood with tidy yards and friendly neighbors and tacky Christmas decorations? How many of those neighborhoods are shitty now? What's the race of people predominantly living there now? Is it blacks? Is the neighborhood shitty because they're black? NO! Its because the people that live there are LAZY and have no job because they have become dependent on the government that wants people to be dependent on them. IT doesn't matter what color they are. Lazy is not a race. Its a horrible symptom of society that was brought on by Democrats and their need to be in control.

Endless war. Hmmm...lets see. Vietnam. Who brought us into THAT war? Oh...the poster child for the Democrats...Camelot...JFK! Can you please tell me what the hell this guy did that made him so fucking popular? Really. I'm serious. He landed himself on the fifty cent coin and for what? What is his legacy? He was good looking and had cute kids? NOBODY can answer this question for me. So, if you have it, please let me hear it. He was also a big fan of orgies in the white house and is tied to the death of Marilyn Monroe. All of their wealth was made during prohibition, smuggling alcohol. Cool.

Scare tactics regarding health care. YOU SHOULD BE SCARED. What's next? This is just the first step towards socialism in this country. Health care is something that should be put forward slowly and with every detail taken into account. What's their hurry? ARe they afraid we'll see something they don't want us to see?

Okay...I have to go get dressed so I can go vote. Please...No offense should be taken by my post. Its just my opinion and we are all entitled to our own. And...Zilla asked, so I answered.

I LOVE EVERYONE!!! GO SABRES!!!

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

What a manifesto...this could take awhile!!

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

I had three trips to the coffee pot while typing it...

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

That, my friend, is true dedication. Bravo

I respect your opinions, I just don't agree with many of your positions and assertions.

Aww man...that's no fun
Can't you call someone a poopyhead?

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Sorry.

Doodoohead.

GASP!!! I am NOT a poopyhead!! or a doodoohead

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

On a more thoughtful note, after reading your post all the way through, I agree with absolutely, positively everything you said. 100% total agreement is rare indeed, but we couldn't be of more like minds and I appreciated every word. Thank you for writing it, as I know it must have been exhausting and stressful, but bravo on job well done...congratulations.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

All in all, a pretty well reasoned post, I hope people take the time to read. I think you got away from well reasoned a bit at the end, but the overall description is good.

A couple comments I had:

I won't touch the marriage point until I research it a little bit.

People don’t like Sarah Palin because she’s a moron. I have no issue with a Republican being in the white house in theory (policies are another matter), but I want them to at least be intelligent. I find it appalling that being “an average guy” is an appealing quality for a president. Who wants an average man/woman running our country? Screw that; give me the really smart guy.

I agree with you on the rich. I mean, these people are rich because they’re smart, they’re mature, and their ventures are well planned and well run. And we want to punish them for that? I favor a straight percentage tax of income (minus deductables and all the crap I don’t understand). The rich should pay more, because they have more money, but they shouldn’t pay a higher percentage.

It’s really sad that you had to stoop to bash and generalize democrats. Especially when you say you are tired of being vilified as a republican. It really cheapens the rest of the points that you made, most of which I thought were pretty good. You spoke out against racism, then categorized an entire group of individuals under one villainous term. How is that different? I’m probably more left than most on this board, but I would make a statement that I wouldn’t trust a Republican politician. Historically, we’ve shown that there are some truly iconic figures on both sides.

I understand that you want to attack a set of ideals that you don’t agree with, and democrat and republican (or conservative and liberal) are the (poor) terms that we have to define those ideals. I think that’s where you’re coming from when you reference “the democrats,” but your tone and wording suggests a bit of an unfounded, or poorly reasoned hatred.

I always thought the Poster Child for the Democrats was FDR.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Some comments I had on the marriage point.

Gay Marriage : Why is a civil union not enough? The same reason 'separate but equal' didn't work. A marriage is not a sacrament; it's a legal transaction.

Two friends of mine got married last week. The marriage was licensed by the State of New York. The ceremony was presided over by a justice of the peace, and held in a public park. There was nothing remotely connected to religion in this event, but yet they are in fact married, and able to attain all the legal rights that come with it.

Why should homosexuals be treated any different?

Now, I get that in some religions, same sex couples are considered, well, wrong. I don't want to take away from anyone's beliefs, nor so I suggest anyone else should.

However, consider this. Two people can be married in a church, but not file the appropriate LEGAL paperwork. They're married in the eyes of their religion, but not in the eyes of the law. A couple 'married' in this manner has none of the legals rights associated with marriage.

To me, it's a double standard. "I want everyone to be treated equally....unless my religion dictates otherwise."

I think the problem is state sponsored marriage itself. What business is it of the state why someone wants to have a civil union? I've said before many times, sex certainly should not be the business of the government, and it's none of our business why anyone wants a civil union.

Drinking buddies from college want to unite for dwelling and tax purposes? Great! An elderly couple that is entirely plutonic wants to have a civil union for reasons that have nothing to do with sexual orientation? Great! A gay man and a straight woman want a civil union because they like to live together and get better benefits? Cool!

A Lesbian woman wants to have a civil union with a man she is close friends with, AND privately marry her lesbian lover? Go for it!

Marriage is personal, cultural, often times religious, and should be entirely based on the wishes of the people involved without the government's involvement. Big Brother has no right to enter the private domain, so all civil marriage should be abolished equally and entirely.

I believe the separation of marriage and state is an inalienable right just as fundamental as the separation of church and state.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

you know ETC, im in absolute agreement with that

marriage is a sacrament, and joins you in the eyes of the Church and God

let us do it in the way the French do

Go, get your civil union, then proceed to the church and recieve the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

But, i view it as a part of the seperation of Church and state, not a right on its own

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PSA: I am an overly sarcastic person. If you take me at my word, then i will most likely anger and offend you.

Forced state marriages for everyone! That'll show 'em.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

See, this is where I'm weird. (actually, there are many ways in which I'm weird...but anyway) I'm Episcopalian. I'm extreeeeemly proud to be and this is why. Recently, the residing Bishop passed an ordinance (I know I'm getting my verbage wrong here, but you know what I mean) making it okay for same-sex couples to be blessed in the Episcopal church. This is where my weird, yet basic and easy-to-understand religious view come into mind. I believe that God is the ultimate judge and jury of what is right and wrong in regards to the choices we make in life and how we live our lives. Its not up to us to decide, its God's job. We may not agree, but we shouldn't pass judgement. Our job, if you're a Christian, is to treat people the way Jesus would.

The people I know that are gay have been through enough! Most have had that awkward stage where they started to have feelings for the girls instead of the boys (and vice versa)...then the painful, awkward confessionals to parents and others as they dropped the bomb that they are gay...maybe even worse conversations with a spouse if they opted to ignore their feelings and hope they would go away, getting married and maybe having children. They have been through the wringer on a journey to self acceptance. Finally, they have a relationship where they feel fulfilled and complete, should they not find peace and acceptance into God's family? Should we turn them away because they choose to live differently or should we treat them the way Jesus would and accept them and their commitment to Christ, leaving God to be the judge. I couldn't in good conscience turn anyone away from church or our church family.

As my priest said one day, "We don't have to like everyone or everything they do, but we must love everyone the way Jesus would." Unless they're a Kennedy...then all bets are off!! Unless they play for the Sabres. I'm confusing myself...I need more coffee....

CV...I LOVE your avatar. I can't wait for that harry potter movie to come out!!

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

That's one way to promote a culture of abstinence.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Not going anywhere for awhile?

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Oh, jeez...

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Its NNYFAN, but you can just call me Kris.

Sorry if that was offensive, NNYFan, but I just couldn't resist!

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.