I used to be a Republican.  No, let me restate that.  I used to be  PROUD Republican.  Now, I’m not so sure.

Isn’t the joke that in college you are a Democrat then you make some money and become a Republican? 

I work hard to have what I have.  I resent that there are people who WON’T work hard.  But I try to make the distinction between won’t and can’t or don’t have the opportunity.  I’m not happy to think about my hard earned dollars going to fund some crack addict that is going month to month to fund his dealer.  Not happy for some woman who is willing to pop out baby after baby because her welfare checks get larger as her “family” grows. 

On the other hand, what about the addict that is trying to beat their addiction without access to health coverage or support services?  Or the single mom (or dad) that is trying to make do on a low paying job to make ends meet for their family? Let’s not even talk about the committed couple that only wants to shout to the world that they love each other and be recognized as a married couple with all of the rights associated with that social convention.

Oh yes, I am conflicted.

Looking back over the last decade or so, it doesn’t matter which party is in power.  Both like to spend, spend, spend.  So being “fiscally conservative” is a lose/lose proposition.

What about the social element?  Looking at the recent Supreme Court ruling in the Hobby Lobby case, certainly gives one reason to re-examine priorities and alignment.

My friends on the right, yes, those that send out the scare messages about “Sharia Law” being imposed in the US, are ecstatic about the recent court ruling.  My friends on the left are distributing free copies of Margaret Atwood’s, “The Handmaid”s Tale”.

And me?  I’m conflicted.  I’m VERY conflicted.