opinion

Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.

I Am a Republican, and I Am Pro Choice
I identify as a Republican. I know a lot of you are probably shocked by that statement. However, I was raised in a household where it was expected that you be politically aware. The news was watched regularly and debates came up a lot during nighttime conversations. I did my research. I'm an avid reader of the major newspapers and I still enjoy watching the news with my dad. And I am more Republican than Democratic. However, lately, there has been major talk of defunding Planned Parenthood, making abortions illegal, and taking away certain rights to woman.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in The Swamp
Managing Middle-Class Cuts: the Good, the Bad, & the Grattons
(OCT 1st, 2017) — Even with a Senate and House of Representatives weighted in his political favor, Donald Trump still is finding difficulty getting Republicans to agree on his newly formalized tax structure. A surprisingly easy read (even for those less fluent in mathematics and tax codes), the tax plan values simplicity and ease-of-understanding. At face value, an effort for tax reform is long overdue and something that a majority of Americans support. Whether this reform is the one to rule them all remains to be seen. These efforts supposedly stem from a desire to grow the middle class, an assuredly noble goal for any politician, and one that has shown to spur baseline economic growth. Yet some Senate Republicans are still unruly in the matter, and almost half of all Americans oppose Trump’s tax reform, at least that which he outlined before assuming the presidency. (Interestingly enough, a majority of those who responded also identified as Independent, with equal representation from both Republicans and Democrats.) So why is it that so many find issue with these newly restructured tax codes, while others drool over its potential to grow the middle class? Hopefully this article can help us to make sense of the good, the bad, and grattons (for those uninformed, a Cajun term colloquially used to refer to extra tidbits) in Donald Trump’s new tax structure.
By Jonathan Moore7 years ago in The Swamp
What's Wrong with Society
I don't normally do this but I've about had it with the way things are done in this world. People are so blind to what's right in front of them. Can't you see the problem with America...the world? This ignorance that appeases the those who want power and those who have nothing but hate. We wonder why do children lash out against one another with such violence. It's because of today's society. They have been raised in a time where violence is a problem solver. We as Americans fail to see that we are the cause. All of the hatred and pressure to be or look a certain way. The need to have only the best clothes or finest home and for what? Just to go into debt to try an put yourself on a higher standard that your neighbor. Why is the need to kill so great in our society? No it's not the cartoons. Nor is it just psychological disorders. Children are forced into this ongoing demand to fit into this world we as Americans have created. This world of one race is to be superior to another and taking offense to the most ridiculous things. There is not one race better than the other. We are all equal and all at fault. We fail to see what we do and what we say influence our children and their lives. Speaking without thinking and over reacting for nothing. Mainly people can't just be happy with minding their own business and worrying about their lives. Putting their focus where it matters and that's on their family and themselves. I don't care who you are, who you choose to love, what color you are, or language you speak. We are all one in the same. This craziness about a wall. Seriously what's it gonna solve. The drugs are here already and America produces them. Think about it. It's all connected. Why do people use drugs? They use them as an escape. An escape from what? The stresses of everyday life and pain. The life we have created and the pressure young people are put under is to much. Do I think using drugs is a good thing? NO! The change will come when we as Americans decide to change. Another thing calling for gun bans. Listen, guns are not the problem, again it's society. America was supposed to be a free country, we lost that right so long ago. Yes it tears my heart out to hear of the violence that is happening in these days and times. We put ideas into our children's minds, maybe not consciously but none the less we do it. Children aren't born with hatred in their hearts, nor are they born killers. We choose to ignore what hatred does. Why does this even happen? It happens because we turn on one another, to blind by our own ignorance to see what we are doing to the future of not only this country but to the world. This kicking people out thing is stupid. How can you tear these people from the only life they know and from their families? What if it was you or your child forced away? This country was founded on immigration. If they are here illegal so are all US citizens. The only original Americans are the Native Americans. We are all descendants from immigrants. No I don't believe in a free ride through life. Anyone coming here should work and pay taxes just like everyone else. We should be helping one another instead of trying to destroy one another. Now for the stinger. The hatred of those who choose to be with the same sex or change the sex they identify as. Tell me where someone else's business is anyone else's. We all hate when someone tries to be a busy body when it comes to you and yours right? So tell me where this is any different. The LGBT community shouldn't have to be pushed into a separate community anyway. We are all one in the same. We come into this world the same and we will all meet our end someday. Sad part is the end comes way to soon for a lot of young people. Why? Society, hatred, and we allow it. No one cares what which leg your pants go one first, so why do we care so much who our neighbor chooses to love? If it's your faith that compels the issue then once again... it's your faith, not everyone is of the same faith. Have some respect for one another. That's another thing that is lacking. Just have some respect and honor one another's differences. Differences are what makes the world interesting. Same concept as going on vacations. You go on vacation to somewhere totally opposite of your everyday life. Most people who live in the city or country even want to vacation on the beach. People from the beach areas want to see the mountains. We crave difference but yet choose to be biased when it comes to one another. Basically what it all comes down to is that we as a society are the problem. We have created the world we live in and until we change things will continue down this destructive path. Take it for what it's worth.
By Amy N7 years ago in The Swamp
To Be At Odds
I was recently at a Pro-Family event at the Florida Capital put on by The Florida Family Policy Counsel (FFPC). The last two days I have been asking myself… Is there way of going about certain political issues helping or hurting? Even better, is it bringing people closer to God or pushing them further away?
By Hunter Adkins7 years ago in The Swamp
Equality and Hate Crimes
Equality and hate crimes. Are we in danger of getting too legalistic and too bogged down in fine detail abut discrimination and Equality? The law has introduced the notion that “hate” is both definable and is a crime. Hating is now illegal.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
Why the Statue of Sir John A. McDonald Should Not Have Been Removed
On August 11th, 2018, a statue of Canada's first Prime Minister was removed from its site in front of city hall in Victoria, British Columbia. The controversial decision to remove the statue had been under debate for some time among the city council members before an almost unanimous verdict was reached in favour of removing the statue.
By Sanj S7 years ago in The Swamp
Bringing Women Back
Time to ruffle some feathers. This is what I believe and I'm speaking out. Ladies! My dear American women! If any of you are sick of the feminist movement and what it represents today, you're in the right place. The modern-day movement of feminism divides men and women. It makes women victims of imaginary assault, it opposes logic and reason, leaving no room for the woman to define herself. Leaving only the mentality that with a victim status, they will reap rewards. No, they will gain resentment from good men.
By Jillian Weiss7 years ago in The Swamp
I Dream of Mayberry
"I miss the good old days. You know, when things were simpler and purer. Like Mayberry was." A good friend of mine laments on this idea every time we get to drinking and talking about our childhoods. He genuinely misses those days in our lives when life was simple and common decency ruled the land. The funny thing about his pining for this era of yesterday is that it never existed.
By Kate Ashcraft7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Voting Is Still Important Even If You're Black and Fed Up
There is a very popular yet understandable misconception in this country regarding the effects of citizen voting. Because of the misunderstanding of how the Electoral College works, voting fraud, as well as an abundance of political corruption within our government, many people are inclined to believe that their vote doesn't count when it comes to official governmental elections. In fact, there are very many people who make strong arguments to support that claim. But when we practice a little bit of critical thinking and objectivity while using an investigative thought process, then there are some things about our election processes that we notice that are just a little bit to undeniable.
By Monsoor Ali7 years ago in The Swamp
The Politics of Climate Change
The big topic, especially in the media and the “Guardianista chattering classes,” is climate change and how all those wicked people are destroying the planet. It should be noticed that it is always other people, who are doing the assumed damage to planet earth. Climate change conferences are organised at resorts around the world. Thousands of delegates fly to them and stay in luxury accommodation, while castigating the ordinary people, because they drive cars or turn their heating on. Tons of paper and mega kilowatts of electricity are consumed by demands that we stop climate change, it is always claimed that is can be done by stopping people living their normal life.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
To Stand or Not To Stand
Let's clear some things up so that you can understand “our” perspective as conscientious objectors without you having a shadow of a doubt as to where we stand. Why would I, as a black man, pledge allegiance to a flag that represents a country and the government that won't pledge allegiance to me?
By Monsoor Ali7 years ago in The Swamp
Revisiting Election Night 2016
The morning of November 9, 2016 when I was still reeling from the reality of what had happened the night before with the election, I needed to put into words how I felt. I needed to exorcise from my body the fear, shock and anger that was consuming me. I had to find a way to put my rampant emotions onto paper so that I could make sense of them. I needed to put them to rest before they drove me mad.
By Ronalee Hutchingame7 years ago in The Swamp