It's the Economy, Stupid!

Good Lord, how many times have we heard that? And we still don't get it. And until we get it, there's no good way to get a conservative of any type in the White House or to get control of the Senate.

Republicans and conservatives, let me say it clearly: let go of the moral right social issues or NO conservative values will prevail. 

There are many one-issue voters out there among the independents. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan would've been the best thing to happen to the economy, and independents probably recognized that, but if you have a bunch of stodgy, out-of-touch old white guys out there spouting moronic crap about abortion or same-sex marriage, they will vote against anyone else of the same party out of fear.

You can't legislate morality. You can't control the moral behavior of others. If you don't believe in abortion, don't have one!! If you don't want your daughter to have an abortion, be a good parent and teach her your own family's values!!! But if the girl down the street chooses to have an abortion, for whatever reason, it's not your business. You have a right to your faith, your values and your opinions...and so does she.

Same thing for same-sex marriage. If you don't believe in same-sex marriage, don't marry someone of the same sex! If you don't want your daughter or son to marry someone of the same gender, that's a little more complicated than imparting values, but I would hope that you'd prefer your child to be happy in a committed relationship than to live a lie and be miserable. And, as for the hypothetical couple down the street (since I don't think my current very small subdivision has any same-sex partners), it's not anyone's business but theirs. Furthermore, if a gay or lesbian couple gets marriage, it has no bearing on the sanctity of my marriage your marriage or the institution of marriage as a whole. I've said this many times, and I'll say it again: as someone who's been divorced twice, I've contributed more to the decay of the institution of marriage than any gay or lesbian couple I know. It's up to me to right that ship--with the help, of course, of the fabulous man who is now my husband.

I know some truly amazing people in loving relationships with partners of the same gender. You can't paint them with the brush of the erroneous stereotype of a promiscuous gay lifestyle, then turn around and refuse them the deepest level of a loving commitment. How dare any of us presume to speak for whatever higher power or creator we believe in.

Libertarians and other fiscal conservatives join with Republicans because there's no other way to get to a majority to elect politicians who claim to have fiscal sanity. Other parties will never stand a chance, because of the media coverage and exclusions from the debates. So we're stuck with each other.

But unless you want to see our country go with policies that are diametrically opposed to everything you believe in, perhaps you should go for part of what you believe in. Stop trying to control the moral behavior of others. Until you do, you will continue to have a party in power who want to and will be able to control important parts of your behavior and, even worse, your liberties.

When it comes to issues that don't harm others and won't affect you directly, I respectfully suggest that you live and let live. If it comes down to it, a good economy, national defense and your second amendment rights should be a top priority for your leader. Otherwise, you won't have the freedom to live according to your faith and values.