SassyBlonde

People, I am tired. Sick and tired.

Even after the joy of the election results, there have been a few things that have been bothering me greatly about this election cycle. The most important, and the reason for this post, has been peoples' lack of ability to discuss the issues that we all grapple with intelligently, calmly, without histrionics or name-calling, and our apparent inability to even try to understand or at least respect peoples' right to their own opinion. And frankly, I'm done with being sick and tired.

I never intended this as a political blog as such, but very shortly it's going to become a lot more so. In the coming days and weeks I'll be posting a more in-depth analysis of my opinions on some issues that I'm sick and tired of everyone not being able to discuss like adults, with open comment sections for that discussion. Moreover, this blog also will become a much more public forum for me rather than simply a private journal, so expect some tweaks and changes to that effect. (Nothing major to report yet, but I'm still working on it.)

I will welcome your reasoned dissent, your arguments, and your personal analysis and experience. What I will not welcome is name calling, ultimatum dropping, hysterical guilt trips and personal attacks. Those things have no place in the larger discussion about these issues, as they do absolutely no good in solving the problems that we all face, they only spawn more problems.

I'll sign off today with a challenge to you all:

• Research the following issues and come up with reasoned and researched argument for why you are for or against them. Most of them require more than a one-sentence epithet to explain intelligently.
• Once you have researched an issue, write a post about why you feel the way you do, and include your supporting data. These rules apply: the supporting evidence must be scientific, analytical, or first-person anecdotal in nature. You must cite your sources and provide links where applicable. Hearsay and religious dogma do not apply, with the exclusion of statements of personal belief. (e.g. "I believe God says" not "God says." Not everyone reading here necessarily believes in the same God as you.) Please provide scripture references to define those beliefs-- that counts as evidence if it backs up your personal stance.
• If you can do so, suggest how we might move toward solving this problem in a legal and civil way.
• You can do this for more than one issue if you feel strongly about them.
• Include the graphic to the right (right click and save) to show you're in.
• Link back here and post a head-up in the comments so I know you've done so.

• Taxes
• Abortion
• Same-Sex Marriage
• Education
• The Wars (both Iraq and Afghanistan)
• Healthcare
• Poverty And Welfare Reform