I know, I know. I've been way behind on this blog when it comes to all the events that have happened since my last post. We've had quite a few primaries/caucuses and a lot of other things I have comments on as well. :)
Last month, after the Iowa Caucuses, we had primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. I won't go into too much detail about these but what I found interesting was that each state picked a different winner. It came back that Santorum had actually won Iowa (after lost votes were counted). Romney took New Hampshire and Gingrich took South Carolina. So for the first three events, there were three different winners. Romney then took Florida as well. At that point, it seemed like the GOP couldn't yet agree on who should run against Obama. Perry and Huntsman had of course dropped out of the race after poor showings.
February has already seen four votes as well. Romney took Nevada first (a strong Mormon showing). And then in a little bit of a surprise, Santorum swept the board most recently with three wins in a single night in Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado. Again, all this shows me is that there's really no strong consensus in the GOP.
There are also things I just want to say about each candidate. I honestly try to keep an open mind about things and I feel like I stay informed. But I just can't agree with some of the things these Republican candidates are saying and I can't understand why everyone doesn't just agree with me?! :) Kidding. (Sorta!) haha Anyway, so I'm going to just take a little big of time writing out some of the things that I have opinions on. Because this is my blog so I have that right.
Romney: Really, probably the most "liberal" conservative in the race but he's playing up that he's not liberal. But if you look at this record, you'll see otherwise. I feel like he's only had a lot of wins because he's the least hated out of all the candidates. But that's just me. One thing I really can't stand about Romney is the fact that he pays a lower tax rate than the average American. I understand that a lot of his money comes from investments or whatever and that he's following all the right laws, but how is this okay? The fact that his housekeeper probably pays a tax rate at 35% and Romney only pays 15%? Granted, I don't know a lot about tax rates and whatnot, but why can't everyone pay a flat rate? We all work hard for our money and the rate deserves to be fair. This needs to change. If anything, I'm glad he's running because it has really brought this issue into light and I really hope it can change.
Gingrich: I think he's a little crazy. I mean, a moon colony? Really? I think there are more important things to try and accomplish before sending people to live on the moon. But hey, that's just me. I also feel like he's just out of touch on a lot of issues. But the biggest thing I want to say about Gingrich is this: I'm personally torn on how much one's personal life should affect their run for office. I can see the arguments both ways. And normally, I'm not sure I would have a problem with Gingrich and his three wives. I don't know what happened in those marriages and I don't think it's any of my business. But what I do have a problem with, is Gingrich going on and on about the "sanctity of marriage", "traditional marriage" and how gays shouldn't be allowed to marry. Not cool. If anything is destroying traditional marriages, it's divorces, and Gingrich knows all about those.
Santorum: Well frankly, there are a lot of things I don't like about Santorum. I feel that he is a radical conservative with a lot of radical ideas. Again, I go back to my point about how Republicans are all about not wanting a big government and to get the government out of our lives, but they have no problem pushing their religion at everyone. How is that not hypocritical? I believe that Santorum does this. He's also told people that kids are better off with a dad in prison than with two moms or that people born with cancer and thus a "pre-exisiting condition" are on there own when it comes to health care. I just can't agree with what he says and I honestly don't understand anyone who does. He is pushing his religious morals on to the American people - which is not okay.
And a couple of other events... I thought it was pretty crazy when the Susan G. Komen Foundation decided to pull their funds from Planned Parenthood. For an organization trying to find a cure to fight breast cancer, it makes sense to not support another organization that provides thousands of free breast exams to women every year. I was glad when they reversed their decision but now they have a PR nightmare on their hands.
Another is the issue about birth control, which is getting a lot of press and I don't understand why. President Obama has made it so that women should get provided free birth control by their employers - this means everyone. But the Catholic Church has made a big fuss about it because they don't believe in birth control. The Republicans have of course started to claim that the President has waged war against religion - which is so not the case. He's not saying that every women needs to be on birth control. He's simply stating that all women should have the opportunity to receive free birth control from their employers. There are so many women that maybe work at a Catholic institution but aren't Catholic - why shouldn't they receive the benefits of everyone else? And why is anyone arguing against free birth control? Aren't the Republicans the ones that are so against abortions? You know, if more people had access to free birth control, I'd bet there would be fewer abortions. I'm just saying.
And of course, perhaps some of the most exciting news lately - Prop 8 in California was official overturned and has been ruled unconstitutional! This is a huge victory but there is still a long ways to go. People need to understand that marriage in the governments' eyes has nothing to do with religion or belief. It's about the benefits that all married couples should get. I was really excited to hear this and I hope this great momentum keeps going!
Most of this post was a rant and I apologize for that. I get a little frustrated sometimes. :) But if you have any different opinions from mine, I would honestly love to hear them. I'm always open for some good conversation and maybe a little debate. :)
