I don't usually like talking about politics because people get so charged about it on both sides and I am a very non-confrontational person. However, I've realized that one of the major reasons why I don't like to talk about it is because I am somewhere in the middle of this political debate. I find myself feeling conflicted about almost every topic because I see and understand what both sides are saying, but both parties believe they are correct and sometimes refuse to hear what the other side has to say.
To be completely honest, I don't like Trump as a person, but he is our president and I will respect him, because that is how I was brought up, to respect everyone even if I do not like them and even if they do not reciprocate respect to others. Now I know I'm not perfect and I have disrespected people in the past and most of the time it was unintentional, but for the most part, I try to respect everyone.
However, I find the lack of respect on both sides very disturbing and it makes me want to not voice my opinions, or indecisive opinions rather, because I know it will just start an argument, and like I said, I'm very non-confrontational. I'm not saying that there aren't any people who will gladly just have a conversation about politics and debate in a relaxed manner, but the majority of people get defensive and attack each other.
That being said, here are some of my opinions. I need to do more research on certain topics, but these are my initial opinions. Please be respectful of them and if you do not agree, tell me why in a respectful way. If there is something that you think I should read or watch to understand a topic more, please share it. But remember, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Thanks.
​1. I do not think that building this wall is the best way to secure our border.
If people want to come over here, they will find a way. They can dig tunnels underneath, they can find a way to climb over it. There will be a way around the wall, and people will find that way, and still come through. Now I don't know what a good alternative would be, but maybe more guards spread throughout is a good start.
2. Become a legal citizen the legal way
If a person does want to come to this country and live here permanently, they should become a legal citizen. Now I don't know much about the process of it, but I've heard that it can take a long time for the process to be complete. I will continue my research on this but it doesn't seem right for the process to take so long.
3. We should invest in clean energy
Coal mining and nuclear plants are bad for the environment and bad for the health of the people. There is no such thing as "clean coal". It is an old method of energy and should not ever be used again because it is so harmful to everything. We should invest money in clean energy and trying to restore nature instead of destroying it.
4. Better ways of farming
I don't know if this is politics, but I think in some ways it can be involved in it, but the agricultural business needs to do better. I know we are a huge country, so we have a lot of mouths to feed, but there are better ways of farming that are better for the animals and better for us. Let the cows and chickens roam free on large lots of land where they can eat anything they want, where they aren't living on top of one another passing around diseases and being pumped with antibiotics.
5. The opiate crisis is real
Opiate addiction is a problem in this country, but we need to help each other out. There should be more centers available to those who need it. And I think there just needs to be less administration of medicinal drugs that contain opium in them because they are so addictive. Opiates help relieve pain. So if you get in a bad car accident, you will most likely be given some type of medication that contains opium to help relieve the pain. But it's not just a relief of pain, you feel great, sometimes even euphoric. But as soon as that drug wears off, you crash and feel awful. So you take more and more, and once that medication isn't enough or you no longer have a prescription, that is when you turn to heroin and other hard drugs. It is really sad and is something that absolutely needs to be fixed.
6. Preferred pronouns
Call people by their preferred pronouns, or even their name. And if you don't know, ask in a polite and respectful way, or call the person "them" or "they".
7. Love is love
Marry whoever you want. Be with whoever you want. It does not affect me in any way and it is your business who you love, you can involve me in it as much as you want, I don't care.
8. Let's keep the separation of church and state
The laws of this country should not be based on the Bible, because this country was based on the separation of state and church, which contradicts the first amendment, which includes the freedom of religion. This country is filled with people of different religions and those without one. It's not right to shove down one person's religious views down other people's throats.
9. Gun control
Not going to lie, I'm a little conflicted on the second amendment, the right to bear arms, because it is an amendment and a right on which this country was founded. However, guns were different back then, they are not as fast and automatic as they are now. Furthermore, gun violence is rampant in this country, and something needs to be done about it. I am not a fan of guns, I've never touched one, so if they become banned I'm totally okay with that, but guns will absolutely be brought here illegally and that's a whole nother issue to worry about.
10. Pro life but pro choice under certain circumstances?
Abortion is also a tough topic to talk about because although I do not agree with taking a life, no matter how small the person, I do think that if a woman is raped she should absolutely have every right to not continue the pregnancy. Also, there are certain people that just should not be parents and although adoption is an option, it doesn't always work out that way, and the foster care system is not a good option either. So I think that if the child will not have a good quality of life, then it may be best for it to be aborted. I think women should have the right to decide what to do with what they are growing inside, but if they decide to get an abortion, they should do it as soon as possible because I do not agree when an abortion is done at almost full term versus when it's only 6 weeks.
I would say that I have some values that are conservative, but also values that are liberal. I am somewhere in the middle, but it feels like I have to choose a side. But I don't want to. When the country is this divided, sometimes it's good to be in the middle, because maybe I can help spark and mediate discussion and call both sides out when they're being too argumentative.
