The election is only 18 days away and looking at my exam schedule for the next few weeks reveals that all the research I planned to do on the candidates may never come to pass. I've read some things here and there in between my studies but don't feel like I know enough about either candidate to make a decision on who to vote for. I'm more of a conservative by principle but living out in Iowa and having a grandpa who is staunch democrat has led me to be more open to the left. Is there such thing as a religious left? Can a person who holds strong values and beliefs about pro-life, the sanctity of marriage and other social issues but sees "the need for change" be apart of this religious left? Those are some questions I'm thinking about as the election nears. Also a very important issue to me is obviously healthcare. I do not feel socialized medicine is healthy for America. In fact, France(who supposedly is #1 in healthcare in the world and is on a socialized system) is starting to take ideas from our current healthcare system to improve upon what they have. But I admit our system does need an overhaul and maybe someday i'll blog about what I think should be done but today is not that day. My one sour grape is all the bickering that goes on between Democrats and Republicans. There is way too much emotion between the parties(and not enough parties). What is wrong with having an intellectual conversation with someone who has completely different veiwpoints and seek to understand where they are coming from? I know there is alot at stake, with the supreme court turnover that is due in the next few years and other issues, but aren't we a civilized nation? Can't we live next door to someone who may not believe exactly as we do and still get along? Why does the media and other wealthy people with an agenda have to spread half truths about the candidates? Anyway, enough about my little soap box. In the final analysis on the little information that I've gleened, I don't feel like I can trust John Mccain and don't know if I can vote for Obama and feel morally ok about it. "Indecision is like a dull knife...it hacks away and leaves ragged edges behind it." Well, good luck to everyone as they research and make their final decision on Nov. 4th!
And here is a random question that was spawned from a conversation I had with a friend last week: Who has a harder time growing up in the gospel, those who grow up in Utah or those living everywhere else?
Well I better get back to studying cardiology...mitral regurgitation here I come!
3 comments:
I agree that there are far too many people out there that cannot have a decent conversation with supporters of the rival party - and it has nothing to do with passion. My opinion is that you can support a democrat with a clear conscience because of their views on social issues. I believe that too many people allow abortion or gay marriage to define their Presidential picks when the truth is that the President will never be put in a position to decide on gay marriage or abortion. These two issues will always be decided by either the states, Congress or the courts. The President may influence these decisions, but they alone will not be a deciding factor.
In my opinion, because everything is so divided, you've got to choose your 2 or 3 most important issues and pick with those. If you're like me than there are some things Obama does right and some things McCain does right. I've just got to decide who will represent my key issues best - because nobody gets them all right anymore.
/end soapbox
So hard! Ben and I have both struggled with this same decision, and it's just such a close call between these candidates. I agree with Tyler that a president can't influence those social issues as much, so maybe we should just vote on who would be most capable as the leader of our nation. After watching all of the debates and the PBS Frontline special on both candidates, Ben and I both came to the decision that perhaps Obama is the better pick for us. Perhaps he belongs to the party that believes in abortion, but to me it seems like his life has been more moral. There are a lot of other issues that led to our decision. I'm telling you this because unfortunately, we decided this and then realized that we were ONE day too late to register to vote in MA! We're really kicking ourselves. So I'm putting in my plug for Obama. Good luck with your choice!
Sean, I just found your blog through others and thought I would pop in say hello, say congrats on the med school. That is fabulous! Want to be one of the only doctors to know about Angelman Syndrome? Check our blog for links and such. We go into far to many ER's and have doctors with NO knowledge of it. Anyway, that is not why I am writing. We are always interested in how is going to be our next boss and this year is a hard one. We were moving and such during our chance to get registered, so I feel at a disadvantage not being able to put in my one count vote.
I was interested in your Mormon question. Growing up in Utah, but now being away for the last 8 years I have come to some conclusions. It is easier to grow up in Utah as a young mormon. However you are also at a disadvantage because it is easy to slide by and not really KNOW you have a testimony. Out of Utah the church is something you will have to stand up for much earlier in your life. So you have to find out if it is true and how much you are willing to defend it much sooner. I find the youth so much stronger and more steadfast than I feel I was. It was 'easy' in Utah because most of the people I was around were of the same faith. I am somewhat envious of the youth that learn what a true testimony is, and are able to know that they have one. Just my two cents, ok maybe a dollars worth.
You take care and good luck with all your schooling, it sounds like you are doing great!
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