Finally, I've posted enough to have my first thread!

Hi Everyone!

I am new to the DU although I have been lurking for about 6 months and I hope to get to know you all better.

About me, I am a registered independent, a black female, although I have only voted democratic in my life. I voted for Clinton the second time around when I was old enough to vote, I voted for Gore, Kerry, and Obama.

I wrote letters to the editor, raised money, donated money, and canvassed for President Obama. I am VERY excited about having a part in turning North Carolina BLUE!!!!!!

My politic views are a little twisted so I have been told. Someone coined the term "Religious Left" for me. Hopefully, there is a place for me here. :)

1) I believe abortion is wrong for me, as a personal choice. But I also believe in the unequivocal, and without qualification or judgement, the right for a woman to choose.

2) I am on the fence (religiously) about homosexuality. But, I do not believe the government in anyway should impeded on a person's right to marry. I do believe it is a right, and I do believe that marry is the correct word, not civil unions. I believe that people have twisted "marriage" the religious ceremony with "marraige" as a legal binding relationship between two committed individuals. I believe that prohibiting gay marriage violates the seperation of church and state. And after what I went through with my church during the election, I believe even strongly in that now.

3) I am for lower taxes and I am for accountability. I also believe that the government has an absolute responsibility to certain populations that do not have a voice for themselves, that is children, the elderly, and the mentally ill.

That is me in a nutshell on some of the bigger issues of the day...but there is alot more that will come out as I post more!!

I love a healthy debate and hopefully, I can hold my own here.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

the DU members. Bienvenido. ;)

i remember when


:hi:

A lot of warp n' woof here, the occasional near derailment (see: Primary season), but always, actually, fun!

:hi:

here's a handy link in case you haven't seen it, it will let you in on some of the 'inside jokes' around here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x190

:hi:

There's a place here for almost anyone who has a thick enough skin and is reasonably open-minded.

Welcome!

:hi:

And the way the tax system was set up, it was cost prohibitive for him to expand. I think in general the tax code is screwed, so that may be the real issue. For example, they had a choice to either incorporate or to remain an LLC. They become an LLC and the revenue from the company was considered personal income so they were taxed as if they brought in $800,000 for the year as household income, when they really did not and lived on way less than that after you take out the extensive business expenses. It sucked and almost caused them to close down.

Or was that pictures of pets? :shrug:


Welcome to DU.

I've since moved into a bigger box...

If you love religious debate, and you have a very thick skin about it, visit the Religion/Theology forum http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=214">here on DU.

I'm a steadfast independent liberal and largely share those perspectives for largely the same reasons, although I'm NOT 'religious' (but have deep-seated spiritual beliefs - not fringe).

'Choice' means exactly that, imho. Insofar as 'taxation' ... I want it where the services bought make more sense in the government sector than for-profit. I don't believe in profiting from human suffering and death. Thus, I'm a steadfast proponent for single-payer healthcare. I'd rather WE spend $600 in taxes instead of $1,000 in insurance premiums. It makes sense. Nations with national health care spend LESS for MORE -- and blindly demanding less taxes is "penny-wise and pound foolish."

The stories I could tell....LOL!

:hi:

Look forward to your posts.

:hi:

Welcome! Hope you enjoy it here. :-)

This is a really great place for the most part. If you've been around for 6 months you'll have seen the best and worst of DU.

It is a great way to archive your posts. This one would be a good start. Peace, Kim

Have fun!

You'd like my husband. He tells folks he's against abortion--BUT that it is none of his business unless he is the father of the fetus :) I'm past childbearing years myself, but I have always supported the right of a woman to make a choice--and I've seen how making that choice is rarely an easy one to make.

I like your take on the term "marriage"--it does seem to me the religious term has gotten mixed up with the legal one. Personally, I think ALL folks should be required to be legally married by a government official--and then, if they choose later, have a religious ceremony. And I walk my talk about this, because that is how I did it. As an ordained minister, I will not legally marry anyone because I don't feel it is my place to do so--but I'll be honored to spiritually join any couple.

Like you, I am for accountability, but unlike you, sometimes I think taxes must be raised. But the thing is they should be raised fairly--the folks with more should pay more--and there should be something to show for the raise in taxes. When I was a kid in the '50s, Mad Magazine had an article about amending the tax code so that individuals could decide where their tax money went--not a buck or two, the WHOLE thing. I'm wondering if this might not be such a bad idea--it would be interesting to find out what government agencies got the money.

Great reading your OP, and I hope you comment on my ramblings! :hi:

Kittehs!!??

(and welcome to DU! :hi:)

And keep the dramamine handy, cuz this boat rocks!

"Democrat."

I love this site and I'm sure you will too. :hi: :toast:

;)

Welcome

Thanks for stepping up and being counted!

Very glad to have you here - as we get down to the business of having Barack's back. Looks like the bad guys need a little reminder every so often (like maybe two or three times every ... um ... uh... lemme see... how 'bout... every second) that THEY lost. OBAMA won. The American people said so in RESOUNDING, UNSPINNABLE majorities. And they need to understand their proper place now: under his heel.

:hi:

Oh. My. GOD!! Are you me?? I mean, you just described me to a T! :)

Welcome, Traxster. I do believe that in the 21st century, there will be more and more black folks who identify themselves as independents. The two-party system is very good at creating ideologues, but not so good at creating genuine leaders, imo.

I completely agree with you on points 1 2, and 3 except I'm not on the fence in any way regarding homosexuality. I believe that under no circumstances should there be any difference between gay or straight marriage, religiously and certainly not legally.

Damn, it's like I just found my political doppelganger. Thanks, DU!! :)

As arguably one of the most socialist, anti-republicanists on the board, let me say that your personal traits are very close to most of our own. The key trait, traxster, is that you show tolerance to others' positions, despite your own personal feelings. That makes you a true liberal; more important, that makes you a caring, intelligent human being. Since you don't drink the GOP Koolaid, you don't have to apologize or otherwise kowtow to a certain mindset.

Look forward to seeing you around more! :dem:

But note that tax cuts usually cut economic growth, and raising taxes (provided the government actually spends the money) increases it.

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