I’ve been debating on getting into politics. I mean, I could dedicate a portion of my blog to political commentary, but I want to do more. The only question is how?
To set some backdrop, I am a gay American. I’ve been out of the closet since 1997. I helped set up an Gay and Straight Alliance in High School. I was a member of a local gay youth group. I dabbled in drag. I’ve also done drugs. Lots of them -many years ago, that is. I’ve been clean for almost 2 decades now. Does this bar me from getting into politics?
To add further backdrop, I’ve also partaken in protests. When the Occupy Movement broke out, I was in college in Chicago. I was one of ‘those’ protesters who occupied the park along Michigan Avenue. I loved it. While I’ve grown for my love of business since then, it left a mark on my psyche.
The current political climate is really encouraging me to consider getting more into politics -perhaps even running for an office. Yet, what are my views? Is there room in the political discourse for me?
Where social issues are concerned, I’m pro-individualism. Basically, I believe that people are responsible for their own choices in life. If the government is going to offer a set of benefits for one segment of its population, then it needs to offer that same set of benefits for ALL segments of its population. Further, if you need assistance from the government for food, healthcare, childcare, or whatever, then you need to make sure that you can prove -beyond a shadow of doubt- that you truly need the assistance. I won’t give money to my friends and family if they are just going to take that money and spend it on drugs.
Abortion is one slippery slope that doesn’t need to be a slippery slope. If you choose to have intercourse without protection or birth control, and get pregnant, then you should be held accountable for that mistake. This is the 21st century, after all. We shouldn’t even be having this discussion. Rape and molestation, on the other hand, are different matters. How is this an argument? How is this divisive?
Where the military is concerned, I believe that we should have a strong military apparatus that is capable of handling situations as they develop. We shouldn’t be afraid to back down for our ideals. We also shouldn’t bow down to dictators and governments that don’t share our ideals and vision for the world. America, since WWII, has taken a proactive role in maintaining the peace and stability of the world. We owe it to our ancestors to keep that going -they gave the ultimate sacrifice in fighting Fascism and Socialism.
Perhaps what frightens me most about wanting to serve in some capacity is that I’m too frank. I can see gray areas. I can see both sides of the aisle. I’m not beholden to one party over the other -and I most certainly will not choose party over country. Most importantly, I’d promote unity over division. Patriotism over profit. Empowerment over subjectivity. Still plenty of things to think about.
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Jason A Woodruff 