Re: "A new birth for freedom" ????
I do not deny that republicans also have been too often guilty of over regulating and reducing our freedoms. As I have stated before, the leftward creep over the past century has affected both parties. I do not necessarily equate republicans with being conservative. Nor do I strive to redefine what conservative means as many seem to try these days. I just use what it correctly meant before it began to progressively be redefined when relativism got involved (wholesale, anyway) as a means to manipulate toward selfish interests. Honestly, the problem lies much deeper than politics. It lies in man's ability to look out for his own (perceived) interests much better than his neighbor's- aka selfishness. We all have this affliction to some degree. Not everyone is ruled by it in whatever form it takes in them, although many are. Especially in politics. Honest conservatives in politics by definition will be both reluctant and careful in enacting more rules for us to have to live by, and more careful in spending the public's money. I do not offer any apology for those who sell us out. But if you look at legislation over the past 50 years or more you will see that the democratic party was the last party to become concerned with the deficit, and remains less concerned despite all their talk. They have also been the most eager to enact all sorts of broad reaching programs which ultimately did nothing to encourage individuals to take long term resposibility for themselves. It is the liberal ideology which I find repugnant and ultimately damaging. It is not a simple matter of which political party.<br /><br />I support educational and training programs which help people get off government assistance and back into productivity. I support day care for young single moms so they can get their education and start work. I encourage anything which encourages long term responsibility. The short term cost of this sort of thing is neglible compared to the long term addiction to welfare for otherwise able bodied citizens. Any individual's self esteem will grow immeasurably when they see that they can pull their own weight. I have seen several success stories along these lines. It is a good thing and extremely worthwhile.<br /><br />Your "abstinence is a joke to 99% of the population" statement is overstated, although your point is taken. Why is this a joke? Selfishness. Irresponsibility has become a societal norm. Why? It has been allowed. It is apathy. Because parents allow it and because the government, media, and educational system have accepted it as normal and expected. Because immoral boys and men decide s*x will be fun but feel they won't have to pay any consequence. (Almost true, unfortunately. But society pays their "bill" for them.) Some girls sometimes saw pregnancy as a status symbol of sorts, allowing them to draw welfare. Other girls simply saw giving in as a way to get attention and companionship. Bad choices are still bad choices, though. Generations went by living the same way, enabled by an idea intended to be compassionate but in reality enslaving way to many. For many, perhaps most, others pregnancy was simply an unintended accident because of careless behavior. Those resulting children who managed to grow up in loving homes had it better. Those who did not sufferred because of their parents lack of responsibility. Not anyone else's fault, it was the parents. Could have been prevented. All it takes is sensible, reasonable behavior. Billions have found this to be possible, by the way. To those who made mistakes: welcome to the club! I'm not perfect either! I cast no stones. I just encourage you do do the best you can with what you have to work with. To those who have not made life changing mistakes yet: Just because "everyone is doing it" (vastly overstated, statistically, by the way), it doesn't mean you have to. If you want to roll the dice, you'll have to pay the price.<br /><br />"Freedom to choose"? There have never been any moral grounds for this so-called right. It is not any more a moral right than taking any other life. I support prevention by abstinence until marriage. As I've said above, it has worked for billions already. No reason it can't continue to work. It is not that hard a choice. I've felt the temptation and had opportunity. I proved it is possible to wait. I don't condemn anyone if they don't, but why play with fire? When someone makes a mistake and gets pregnant, I support non-governmental help. I have put my money where my mouth is regarding this several times. For many, adoption is a very workable solution. If it was my daughter her child would be taken care of without any government funds, I assure you! There are a number of non-profit organizations and churches available to help, though not nearly as many as there should be I admit. Of course, many just won't go there to ask for some reason. There are several much better options than killing a child for convenience sake because of one night's irresponsibility! Unplanned pregnancy is never an easy thing in any way, but good things can result if decisions are not made rashly. It certainly helps when there are caring people supporting, encouraging, and demonstrating love to the expecting mom. Hopefully this will be in the form of family, but even if not there are others who will step in if asked. Some of my kids best friends are those who were not planned by young moms. Fact is I was quite a surprise when I came along, though fortunately my parents were married and remained that way until my Dad died a few years back. But whatever the situation, the unborn deserve to live and be loved. No one's else's rights (wish for convenience) are greater than this. Period.
) We'd go from over-controlled (but way too little self-control) to self-destruct in 10 seconds flat. Way too many folks with no regard for others for it to work. If personal responsibility was not in such short supply it might make a thrilling experiment.
