…To The Future Political Endeavors Of A Certain Member Of Generation Y

    To continue the discussion from the last blog piece, the Supreme Court also voted on a case involving the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Now, in case you didn’t know, or forgot since you were in school, the Voting Rights Act ensured that African Americans, in addition to other minority groups, had the ability to vote in a free manner within the eleven southern states. The actual ruling on the case was struck down based on the fact that the “times have changed” in the United States.  Thus, the law is outdated and according to five [out of the nine] Supreme Court Justices felt that it was time to strike out this key provision within the Voting Rights Act (in turn, making it somewhat mundane as well as superfluous). It potentially opens up the door for states to discriminate against minority groups who vote, as this provision ensured their vote would be counted.  I’m still trying to understand this logic of the argument.  It is possible for states to pass laws that would require proof of residence and/or photo identification. It would be up to the courts to determine if these would fall under a form of “test” to determine if it is needed to vote – in which case, if it was then it would be unconstitutional. 

An individual told me that my right to vote has been minimalized since I am considered a minority.  I would love for someone to attempt to deny me my right to vote. I know the election laws, and I also know my rights as an American.  While I am still trying to understand the decision of the Supreme Court, and the dissenting opinion of the Court, I feel that the law is meant to be changed as society progresses (such as the Defense of Marriage Act). Perhaps it is time to reconsider this one and change the law instead of just striking out a section of the law. At the same time, it is just as important for all citizens [of every minority] are guaranteed their right for their vote to count. I personally don’t see a problem with having a citizen present a valid form of photo identification.  Again, I’m probably in the minority (and the pun was semi-intended).

      Now that I’ve discussed enough political news (and honestly, there is more news but I would hate to bore my readers with just that) it is time to discuss some personal news…yay!  Some of the things that I’m working towards is my political ambitions and also my acceptance to a graduate program.  After I take the GRE later this month, I hope to go to the University of Chapel Hill and I have my alma mater (Western Carolina University – GO CATAMOUNTS) as a back-up option.

            I might even make a run for public office soon. I’m not sure yet, so I’ll keep you wondering on that, ha-ha!

From An Election & The Supreme Rulings…

Well, a lot has happened within the last post.  With a special election over and two monumental rulings, even a state in political chaos and new adventures for the politically savvy, there is never a dull moment in my life and keeping up with the changing times.

            To pick up from my last post, the special election in South Carolina did not turn out in my favor.  Elizabeth Colbert-Busch did not win the congressional seat against former governor Mark Sanford.  I can’t say I’m surprised, given it is the most conservative district in the country, if only for South Carolina.  I don’t blame the candidate for her loss; nobody should ever fault the candidate in these campaigns.  I would argue that false hopes and misguided name recognition lead to the blind support of the Democratic party standing behind her in this race.  I also think the Democratic party was reluctant to stand by her because she was too conservative a “true democratic candidate” for their liking.  In the end, it is the experience that matters, and it is important to always look towards the next election and work to win that one. The object is to fight to win the next election; but one should never forget their losses, as it drives the desire to win the next race.

            May transcended into June, and the end of June brought the month went out with a loud bang. On the twenty-sixth of the month, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and also cited the Proposition Eight case from California, that it has no legal standing which meant they wouldn’t rule on it; thus, it allowed for the lower court’s decision to be upheld (which stated that Proposition Eight was unconstitutional in the state of California).  Both of these cases are huge victories for LGBT-individuals living in the United States [and the overall fight for Marriage Equality in the country]. 

Personally, I view these as good things for the United States regarding progressing for progress’ sake.  I do not believe that marriage is being “re-defined” or that the country’s moral standing will fall and the wrath of God will come down hard against this great nation. Nay, I believe that marriage has been extended to those outside of the “traditional” marriage practice and the state of California has the right to pass laws that are within the constitutional boundaries of the law. Since I am not a resident of that state, the Proposition Eight ruling does not apply to me; what does however is the Amendment One that was passed by 60% of the North Carolina voting populace in last year’s election cycle. As far as the law goes in the state of North Carolina: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized”.  (NC Constitution, Article 14, Section 6)

            While we are talking about North Carolina, and the laws being passed within the state, it is important to focus on the General Assembly of the North Carolina State Legislature.  There have been a few bills that have been passed through the House of Representatives and/or the Senate that are not exactly promising when it comes to doing the best thing for the residents of the Tar Heel state.  The first issue is education and the battle to cut its funding. There is an incentive to have older teachers to retire early and to accept, as a parting gift, an extra $500.  The horrible thing is that it passed the House of Representatives! As far as I know, it is still being discussed in a senate committee. Let me backtrack a moment: After the election of 2012, the House, Senate, and Governorship went into the hands of Republicans (just stating a fact; this is how democracy works…whomever wins gets to be in power). 

            Now the House Republicans are trying to pass laws to limit education funding, revise the tax structure, and even pass anti-abortion measures attached to a law that is against Sharia law. First things first, I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR SHARIA LAW (set aside the fact that it is Constitionally impossible for any religious based law to be followed in the USA); all I am saying is that we need to separate the real issues from “non-real” issues.  For example, the House republicans and Senate republicans have either passed, or will pass, a restructured tax base to allocate for tax breaks to the residents of North Carolina; the problem is that both houses have different views on what is the correct tax base formula.  Even Governor McCrory has stated that he will veto any bill that comes across his desk that would raise taxes on the middle class (which both plans do; Senate plan has middle class families paying more than $30 in taxes and I’m not sure about the House plan, but I’ll look into it and get back to you). I consider this to be an actual issue. The “non-real” issue is which plan saves North Carolina families…the answer: both plans, and the Governor knows it (which is why he’ll veto it...as it would haunt him around re-election time).

[The North Carolina Senate will vote today on their tax bill: The Senate Bill is #394 and the House Bill is #998]

As for the abortion rider in the bill against Sharia law (again, is Sharia law really a problem in North Carolina? Seriously?), this is also a thorn in the side for Governor McCrory as he stated in his campaign to become the Governor that he would not sign bills into law that would further restrict abortions. The sad thing is it might become law even if he vetoed the bill because they have the votes in the House to override him. When it comes to the real issue, such as abortion, we seem t have a lame duck governor in Raleigh. To review: Real issue – restricting abortions; “non-real” issue – Sharia law ever becoming the law in North Carolina (as it would be unconstitutional under our own state constitution, and the fact that the United States Constitution is the true law over all fifty states [and the territories] and that North Carolina was in the “God-fearing” south). Come to think this about it, how is that bill not unconstitutional?

Politics: The Palmetto Way & the Ocean State Way

Well, I’m currently in South Carolina working on a campaign to elect Elizabeth Colbert Busch to Congress so she can represent South Carolina’s first district in the House of Representatives.  I’ve never worked on a campaign in South Carolina.  I think South Carolina has a better understanding of what “southern hospitality” is all about.

     The district itself is only twenty percent rural, or so I’m told.  The President won this district in both 2008 & 2012.  I think based on that information, my candidate should win; however, this isn’t my first election and it is really up to the constituents of the first Congressional district of the Palmetto State.  I believe Elizabeth Colbert Bush is a strong candidate against the former governor of the state, Marl Stanford.  After watching them debate, I think she has what it takes to win over the district.  She is a tough individual and knows the issues that matter to the district.  She tends to put the district first, as any respectable member of Congress should do.  She knows that the district still has pockets of conservative values and understands they still need a voice in Congress.  There is a term for an individual who is liberal on social issues; yet conservative on fiscal matters…the new term is “Blue Dog Democrat.” Another term, slightly older, is a “Dixiecrat” which is essentially a newer generation of a Republican post-Civil War. (At least, that is how I look at it.)

     I guess after really thinking about politics and the issues, I would be considered a Blue Dog in many ways. First, I was a Republican in high school and growing up.  I tend to focus on issues instead of party politics. I also believe that we need to be in control of our own monetary funds and other things that we earn; however, I believe we need to have safeguards to help those in society that are less fortunate or cannot help themselves.  I believe everyone should be equal under the law of the United States.  If you are a citizen, then you deserved to be treated like one and equally as others.  With only some of those beliefs I hold, I feel that I would cast an affirmative vote for Elizabeth Colbert Busch to represent my voice in Congress (and if I lived in South Carolina’s first Congressional District).

In other political news, the state of Rhode Island [and Providence Plantations] became the tenth state in the United States to pass Marriage Equality.  I am extremely proud of this accomplishment.  I drove up to the Ocean State to help out this successful campaign and met a bunch of wonderful individuals (both on the campaign team and the citizens who contacted their state representatives to pass the legislation).  This win in Rhode Island completes all of the states in New England to have Marriage Equality! I hope this will be the positive model for other parts of the United States to adopt, implement, and pass this historic trend to include Marriage Equality into a basic American right.  Hopefully in June, the United States Supreme Court will render their verdict on the right side of history.

The Fearful Generation

     So this is what the twenty-first century is going to be like for future generations.  Unfortunately, my generation is forced to be the guinea pigs.  During my time of growing up into adulthood, I have lived through some horrific events.   The thing that sets me, and my generation, apart from other ones is that we truly move forward.  In fact, at times we are pushed forward.  Many of my fellow peers are very apathetic regarding the way things are done within their lives.  While I am not one of those individuals, I often question what I stand for and why.  Like many others in my generation, we always seem to try and find ourselves making it through a distressful time within the current United States realm.

     Growing up, my generation has always been threated in one way or another; yet, we always muster strength to will ourselves to the next step in our lives.  While some of us were to young to understand what the Oklahoma City Bombing was about or why it happened, or even the Olympics in Atlanta, it makes more sense as an adult on why & how things happen. While it may make sense, such events are senseless to any rational human being. Moving through the 1990s, I specifically remember the events at Columbine High School in 1999.  The only reason this is vivid is because I was in the sixth grade and I had just moved to North Carolina.  Since I was kind of the “strange kid” who kept to himself, I somehow was the one everyone was suddenly afraid of.   Whether it was because I dressed differently, spoke differently, or just acted beyond my eleven years (at the time), the other kids didn’t want to upset me or anything like that.  After about a week, things went back to normal and I was the kid who always got picked on.  I am not going to say bullied because I wasn’t really bullied. Kids will be kids, yes; but today’s kids are just different than how my generation was raised & acted.

     Moving on to my freshman year in high school, it was the year of the worst terrorist attack since Pearl Harbor.  Actually, let me rewind that for a minute: in the eight grade, there were threats made to the high school and I remember walking down the either grade hall and the fire alarm going off and teachers telling their students to not go outside because that was it was a trap.  Nothing happened, but it was still scary. Yet we marched on towards adulthood..

     These fears followed into college with Virginia Tech; our military friends were threated by events such as the USS Cole bombing, Ft. Hood shooting, and other things. It doesn’t matter what the events are…they all portray the thing that truly gets to every person at some point or another: Fear.

     My generation gets a lot of crap from previous generations. We are either young and naïve or just stupid.  We over-think things and tend to not care about others.  As much as I would love to agree with those generations, I simply can’t.  My generation is strong, brave, and afraid of nothing.  We might slip from time to time and we might be apathetic to some issues, but my generation knows what is important to keep the legacy of the United States going. We are a strong bunch of men and women, and we are proud of our stubbornness.  We fight for what is right and we stand ready to face whatever comes our way.  If we are presented with conflict or times of tragedy, we cry but march forward ready to tackle important issues and create a better generation. The events in Boston are tragic, and certainly acts of terrorism. However, I believe it is essentially an event to where my generation will finally say in one collective voice “enough is enough, we are all Americans!” So yes, you can call us a generation of fear…but as for us, we will be remembered as the Fearless Generation.

From Sea to Shining Sea...One State at a Time

     Well, this week was certainly a wonderful one for Colorado. The state signed a law granting civil-unions to same-sex couples.  Within the past two years, the subject of LGBT rights has really been at the front of American politics. Just to remember some of these events, let's name some:

1) "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" got repealed;

2) Four states put measures on their state ballots and won (Minnesota, Maine, Washington, Maryland);

3) The United States Supreme Court will hear the arguments to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act AND Proposition Eight;

4) President Obama (finally) comes out in support of Same-sex marriage;

5) Colorado has passed civil unions;

6) Tammy Baldwin becomes the first Openly Gay Senator in US History (representing Wisconsin);

7) Nebraska is considering granting Same-sex couples the right of marriage; and

8) Rhode Island will be the next state to allow Same-sex marriage once it gets past in the state senate.

     Notice I end the list with Rhode Island.  This is because I have some news; for the next three months, I'll be in the state of Rhode Island advocating for the state to pass Same-sex marriage!  This is really exciting as I haven't lived in Rhode Island since 1994. I will be helping a state extend the basic right of happiness to all its citizens.  I truly believe within the next 15-20 years, this issue will no longer be an issue.  This same "Separate but equal" mindset regarding the LGBT community is just silly and will be yet another period in American history where we will not be proud of the way we handle change.  in fact, there is at least one other state considering Same-sex marriage in their own boundaries [and that state being Illinois].

    Disclaimer:  As I continue writing, the song "No llores por mí Argentina" :-D 

     Another major thing that has happened this week is the election of a new Pope.  Now, it is wonderful that he is the first Pope from Latin America; I wish him well.  However, even this is a setback for the church.  I suppose I could also argue that this strengthens the "Separation of Church & State" argument, but I won't. :)  

      Now, Pope Francis I (former Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Mario Bergoglio) comes from  Argentina.  This is the same country that gave us Evita Perón and that WONDERFUL play that was on

Broadway that I did NOT get to see even though Ricky Martin was Che (no hard feelings of course…but I will see it soon enough).  Anyway, I digress. Now Argentina has allowed same-sex Marriage since July 2010.  The newly-elected Pope was a strong critic and the most vocal opponent against Argentina's position regarding the extension of marriage to same-sex couples.  I respect the establishment of religion, I truly do, but in the United States we have a separation of the two.  I think that when a rather high number of your congregation interprets the holy texts in a different manner that disagree with the official interpretation, it might be time to review the official stance on the matter.  I think the Catholic Church has done a remarkable thing while at the same time standing resolute.  I salute them for recognizing other minorities such as Hispanics being able to lead; but, I also think they are proving that just because a high number of their congregation don't follow their official word on the issue, they will not give into temptation to change their ways (and by the way, that pun was not exactly in my head at the time I wrote that).  There should be some sort of adoration for the Church, but since they don't dictate my life, then I really don't concern myself with what their position is regarding the matter. As I've stated before, within the next 15-20 years, this will be a moot point.

     Until then, I will be fighting to bring Marriage Equality to Same-sex couples in the state of Rhode Island & the Providence Plantations!

     By the way, I'm officially a UNC Tarheel fan. After living in North Carolina for the past 15 years, I've made my decision regarding the whole Duke/UNC rivalry thing.  For me, it's Public Vs. Private and I went with public. :)