Utah, Mormon and Democrat! Somebody Save My Soul.

I know this is a mommy blog but humor me I need to get this off my chest.  


"At election time each year, a Church statement of political neutrality is read in LDS congregations throughout the nation, which "affirms [the Church's] neutrality regarding political parties, platforms, and candidates." Importantly, it also stresses that, "principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties." Implicit in this statement is the notion that gospel truth may be found in the Democratic party's platform."  Boyd Peterson's Why I'm A Mormon Democrat.

2012 has begun, it's another presidential election year. I consider myself a Democrat, meaning the majority not all of my beliefs lie with the Democratic party.


I want to make it very clear that I don't care who you vote for. However, it seems there is always somebody out there who cares a whole lot about who I vote for. Every presidential election year someone who knows that I vote Democrat tries to convince me to vote Republican. I have even been told, by a seminary teacher, that it is a sin to vote Democrat.

Again I don't care who you vote for. I don't care if you vote for Obama, Romney or Super Dell. Now, if you still feel the need to convince me to vote Republican here are a few easy to follow suggestions:

1. Do not verbally assault me. Yes, this has happened more than once at church, in school and with family members. For example; soon after the last election my husband and I went to a family party. One of our family members, we’ll call him Jason, who at the time I very much respected, sat with my husband and I. He asked my husband how school was going and what he wanted to do with his degree once he was finished. My husband told him that he was interested in alternative fuels. Jason had somehow found out that we vote Democrat and started raising his voice and saying something to the effect, he wasn't being quite clear, that there would be no more energy or fuel because of "Your Guy." (He kept calling President Obama "YOUR GUY!" as if the President of the United States was Voldemort and he could not speak his name).  He then started spouting off information that I know from my research and news watching is not true. One of the things that Jason said was basically that it is our guy's fault that the economy collapsed. I'm pretty sure that the economy collapsed in October of 2008. President Obama was not even elected President until November 2008 and was not sworn in until January 2009.For over an hour we had to listen to Jason go on and on about how horrible the President of the United States is. My level of respect for Jason dropped down to a big zero. I now try and avoid him at all family functions. 

NOT A LEGITIMATE NEWS SOURCE!

2. When trying to convert me to the Republican Party do not quote TV or Radio personalities. They are paid by their political parties; they are hired for entertainment purposes only and ARE NOT A LEGITIMATE NEWS SOURCE!

A Legitimate Source of Cute!
Not A Legitimate News Source!

NOT A LEGITIMATE NEWS SOURCE! 

3. If you want to discuss your politics with me know what you are talking about! For example, don’t tell me that Mitt Romney can do no wrong, is absolutely perfect and then tell me that you hate "Obamacare." It frightens me when the people I associate with have one-line stingers aimed at Democrats especially President Obama and have no facts to back up their arguments. If you are going to tell me that "Obama is a wolf in sheep's clothing" or that "Obamacare" is socialized medicine at least have some facts to back it up.

Romneycare = Obamacare

4. Understand and respect political offices especially that of President but also all other elected positions. I recently read a really good article that one of my friends posted on Facebook. It helped me to understand the Presidential role more clearly. It even made me respect President George W. Bush a little more. I think that everyone should read it before  going to the voting booth this November. Obama, Explained-The Atlantic.

To sum things up:

• I don't care who you vote for.
• If you are going to try and convert me to the Republican Party- don't be rude, only quote legitimate news sources and know what in the heck you are talking about.
• Respect the office of the President.
• And last but not least I have my opinions and reasons for voting for who I vote for. Don't Judge me because I'm a Democrat-Judging isn't Christian. 

Now here is how I feel about some of the hot button issues and why I vote Democrat, Disclaimer: These are only my opinions. If they bother you too much simply stop reading. If you feel that you must leave a comment, please be respectful. 

1. Abortion: This is a big one for a lot of LDS people. Just because I am pro-choice does not mean that I am pro-abortion or pro-death. Here is the Church's stance on abortion   ("The Church has not favored or opposed legislative proposals or public demonstrations concerning abortion") I believe that life is precious and should be treated so, however, there are details to think about before passing certain legislation:

• You and your wife have been blessed with 3 young children all under the age of 6. Your wife is pregnant with the fourth. When you go to your physicians office you are told that if your wife has this child she will die. I am not saying that she should have an abortion. I am saying that she should have a choice.
• Your sister is raped and soon after discovers that she is pregnant. Shouldn't your sister have a choice about what to do with the fetus? Again I am not saying that an abortion is the right choice I just think she should have the choice.
• Your young neighbor has been abused by her uncle her entire life and now discovers that she is pregnant with his baby.  I am not saying that she should have an abortion. I am saying that she should have a choice.

There is a lot of "pro-life" legislation especially that comes through Utah's legislature that threatens these specific types of choices. I believe that birth control should be made available to all, incentives for choosing adoption should be made available and when the need arises for an abortion I think that the patient should be able to go somewhere safe and legal to have the procedure done.

2. Welfare and Healthcare: King Benjamin teaches, "...succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish." Mosiah 4:16 In my opinion the Democratic party works harder to protect moral priorities such as ... feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and administering to the sick. Mosiah 4:26.

3.Earth a Gift of Gladness. I believe that Heavenly Father has created this beautiful world for us and that we should respect and protect this gift. Al Gore, is a good example of a Democrat who works to protect our earth. 

4. Education: The scriptures state "to seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith" (Doctrine and Covenants 109:7) Democrats have the long-term goal of having low-cost, publicly funded college education with low tuition fees available to every eligible American student. I do not support private school vouchers because they would damage our public school system.

5. National Budget: Democrats have a history of being more fiscally responsible. Google "national deficit by president" and several articles and charts will prove this pattern.

Okay now that's off my chest, we can be friends and I'm moving on... 

Here are some really good links regarding the same subject: 

• Why I'm a Mormon Democrat by Boyd Peterson
• Being A Mormon Democrat by Shawn L.
• National Press Club Q&A with President Gordon B. Hinckley-

Q. It says, Given the platform and positions taken by the Democratic Party, can you be a good church member and a Democrat? "

A. Yes, I think so. I don't know why you couldn't. It depends on what you believe as a Democrat in terms of some things. There are some things we don't subscribe to. We've got lots of Democrats in the church, lots of them, and they are good people. I don't worry about that too much.