By single-issue voting, I mean casting a ballot for a
candidate with whom one is in substantial disagreement on major issues of
present public concern, or whom one judges to be inferior to an alternative
candidate in character or competence, because one is in agreement with the
candidate’s views on a single issue which one judges to be of overriding
importance. ~~John Langan(The Morality of Single-Issue Voting)(http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1331)
Now that was a mouthful, lol. I believe that our country is inundated by single issue voters who put their needs or beliefs before the country as a whole. I do not want to diminish the importance of their paramount issue as to them it is their motivation to vote.
Gay Rights and Marriage, Reproductive Rights, Universal Healthcare, Medicare, Gun Control, Nuclear Disarmament, Poverty, Civil Liberties, The Economy, The War on Terrorism, Immigration, plus many more~~all are important issues important to the election process. The problem I see is that when a person chooses one issue and makes that their 'point of choice', with disregard to the consequences of the other issues, they put the country at risk.
I find that I am a Moderate. God I hate that term as it implies that I take no stance on any issues. Of course this is not true. I take a stance on every issue, individually, and do not subscribe to an far right or far left propaganda. I weigh each issue and decide what weight to give it toward my voting choice.
Lets look at how I see the above issues and how I might approach the 2012 Presidential Vote.
~Gay Rights and Marriage~Sexual Orientation is not a choice; it is a fact. I believe people find love where they can and the right to express that love through marriage and raising a family should be given to everyone.
~Reproductive Rights~Personally I do not believe that I could ever abort a child. But having that as my belief does not mean I have the right to tell anyone else how they should behave. It's their body and it's their choice.
~Universal Healthcare and Medicare~Everyone is entitled to the best possible healthcare available at a reasonable price. I do not support Obamacare because I see it as a massive government program that we will struggle to pay for and that will place a burden on generations to come. There has to be a better way.
~Gun Control~I would support the restriction on certain weapons and ammunition, such as fully automatic weapons or armour piercing bullets, but oppose any restriction on my Second Amendment Rights to to own a firearm.
~Nuclear Disarmament~I would be happy if everyone got rid of every nuclear weapon and we went back to using sticks.
~Civil Liberties~Equality is the basis of any society. It is unfortunate that we have to legislate equality and I support laws that try and accomplish that task. I do not support laws that place a burden on today's society for things done in centuries past; such as reparations for slavery.
~The Economy~I am not rich nor do I have desires to be so but I would like to see a return to full employment and a grocery bill that does not require a bank loan to pay.
~The War on Terrorism~Is it winnable? Maybe! Will it end? Never as long as we continue to mix politics and religion and we elect leaders that seem to be paralyzed into inaction or reckless toward action. But it has to be fought to protect this country. Its cost in dollars is tremendous but its cost in the lives of our best and brightest is such a heavy price to pay.
~Immigration~My grandparents came here legally and forged a new life for us all and for that I am eternally grateful. We have created a country that attracts millions of people with Hope and a desire for a better life. I fully understand that and sympathize with their plight. But there is a breaking point for any society and I believe we are quickly reaching ours. A solution to the illegal immigration problem has to be found that balances the hope of America that lived within our ancestors with the needs of our society as a whole.
So I am all over the map with my thoughts. Do I vote for Obama because he and I both support Sexual Orientation Rights and ignore a horrid record on the economy? Do I vote for Romney because I believe he has a better chance of turning the economy around but ignore what I believe is an archaic belief on Sexual Orientation rights?
A predicament indeed!
If I was a single issues voter this would be an easy choice. Screw the rest of the countries needs and vote my issue.
But life is not a single issue entity and voting should not be as simple as a single issue that I strongly believe.
Look at everything my friends and vote for whomever will help this country as a whole. In the long run we all will be better for it.
Randy
