Politics is not something I'm comfortable discussing with people in general, in part because I have never felt like I fit any particular mold especially political ones. Today I did something I have never done before. I went to a political rally-- the Bernie Sanders rally in Madison. I first heard of Bernie last summer when he first came to Madison, talking about creating a political revolution in America to take on the greed of Wall Street and corporate America. He made local news back then with 10,000 showing up to see him, but still not a lot of national news. When he visited Liberty University last September, quoting Amos 5:24, “let justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never-ending stream," I was so impressed with what I read that I read the full transcript of his speech. For the first time I was convinced there was something very unique about this presidential candidate. I have wavered on my support as I read both sides of the argument about just how much change one man can do. But a friend of mine said we need to shoot for the stars if we want to make it to the moon.
Early on in my voting career, I voted most like an evangelical, that is like a conservative Christian. However, as a young collegiate I had liberal leanings that I was unable to voice. The transformation from voting almost entirely republican to democratic the last election for the first time in my life is not something I am necessarily proud of. It has been a long transformation that was pushed by a republican Wisconsin governor who has demoralized my profession and the belief that the Republican Party is no longer in touch with the reality of the common woman. As I look to April 5th, Wisconsin's presidential primary, I have really had to think this one through.
1. Medicine for the masses-- I have been blessed by living in two states that have had generous medical benefits for the poor. As a poor collegian and young mother, California's Medi-Cal took care of me and Erika. In Wisconsin, the state's Badger-Care was instrumental in getting me through lean times before getting my position as a teacher. Both of these programs allowed me to keep my family healthy without incurring any debt. I believe that every person has a right to affordable, if not free, health care. As I look to the looming date of Erika turning 26, knowing that she will no longer be able to utilize my health benefits, I know the cost of medical insurance is something that concerns both of us. The affordable care act is not something I simply want ripped out of the American fabric and tossed out like garbage. When I hear that kind of rhetoric it makes me very afraid for the future of young people. Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All package looks like a step in the right direction. His views of drug abuse and use are medical issues, not a criminal one, is also something I completely agree with. He will take marijuana off the federal list of illegal drugs, leaving it for states to decide.
2. Education-- My first bill for tuition at Cal State Northridge in January of 1985 was a little more than $200. I was able to pay for, not only my tuition, but my books and expenses while living at home with part time work. In the mornings I worked as a teacher's assistant at a middle school in Pacoima and on the weekends and evenings I worked at Subway. While I did not graduate totally debt free from graduate work, I did manage to get through my undergrad degree without debt which was not a big deal back in 1990. While my girls were still in middle school I made it clear that I would not carry the load of their post high school education. It has been incredibly amazing to see how each of them have been able to get their education without incurring great debt (so far). I'm so proud of Erika for graduating from UW debt free. It is no easy task in today's economic and educational situation. What Bernie wants to do isn't crazy, unique or even novel... it's necessary.
3. Race, equity and poverty-- The Republican Party is no longer the party of Lincoln. Anyone who uses that kind of language does not know history. It has saddened me that at some point Republicans tossed out equity and embraced racism. I have never understood how evangelical Christians could vote as a block for Republicans without weighing out the fact that we are called to take care of the poor and disenfranchised which is what Bernie Sanders, of all the candidates, Democratic or Republican seems compelled to do. His views on wealth inequity have been called communist and socialist but it all sounds so fair to me. His assertion that he is listening to Native Americans and will change the way the country deals with tribes is something I have never heard a candidate talk about. He acknowledges racism and wants to work to make more progress.
4. Pollution and Climate Change-- The Republican Party is no longer the party of Theodore Roosevelt. There was a time when I dismissed the notion of global warming and I owe a good friend dinner at Olive Garden because I did. I still don't like Al Gore, but he started a dialogue that continues. This isn't about crazy leftist thought, it's science now, it's real and wishing it didn't exist won't make it go away. I am concerned about the future of this planet and I still can't figure out why we aren't driving solar cars?
5. Right to Life-- This issue has been the one issue that has dominated my voting in the past. It has always been a difficult decision to know that I'm voting for someone simply because of one out of ten or more issues. I understand both sides of the debate and as a woman I would like to say I have a right to my own body. But as a mother of three, I am burdened to want to protect the life of the unborn child. I have heard the unborn child called "just a blob" and I can only say that I am so glad a young high school girl in 1965 who found herself pregnant, did not have that right to her own body, but instead had the guidance of Catholic parents and the support of a Baptist young man not to throw that "blob" away. To me, every unwanted pregnancy has the potential to produce someone just like me. I have finally given up on the political process to fix this issue. Science is now my only hope now. I know this might sound crazy, but I do believe in a future when a woman will be able to remove an unborn fetus and save it for another time or offer it to another person. Currently we keep "little blobs" in freezers for women who have fertility issues and I have read there are even custody battles over these blobs. I also understand fetal tissue has healing powers that have done great good for our society with the potential to cure even more afflictions, including cancer, diabetes, birth defects, HIV, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and Alzheimer's. I know there is a reason for that. I don't know at what point the blob becomes a person but I no longer can count on politicians or courts to make that decision. I also don't believe that only God knows, eventually science will figure it out and until that happens, I will have to set this one issue aside and vote my conscience for the greater good of society.
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