Sad

Growing up in Washington state, I never felt like an outsider when it came to politics. The majority of people there would consider themselves "liberal," but being a member of the LDS church, I was around a lot of people with conservative political beliefs. I may have been naive, but there never seemed to be a problem with different political beliefs among people in my church or with friends. It was more of a fun topic of conversation. I am sure my friends and I were just spitting out what our parents were telling us, and it never got in the way of our friendship. The last two elections I watched the debates and read about both candidates before voting. I proudly voted to elect and then re-elect President Obama. I didn't realize that I would feel personally attacked for doing so.

Throughout this entire election, people posted awful things about both of the presidential candidates, really awful. Both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are great men, yet people were constantly making them out to be monsters. I really tried only to endorse Obama and not to attack Romney on my blog and on Facebook. I thought that when this election was over, it would all die down, but everything has just gotten worse. For the last four days, I have read posts and blogs written by friends and Facebook acquaintances (I can't claim that all 350 something people on Facebook are really my friends) that make me want to cry. These posts are making me defensive, angry, and really sad. As a result, I feel the strong need to defend myself and why I voted for President Obama. This is not to change anyone's mind, but for people to understand that I am not a free loading, baby killing, immoral person.

To start, I'd like to quote some things that I've read and what went through my mind as I read them:

"Way to go dems. I can't wait for Obama to ruin our country more so I can say I told you so." 
Really?? So you are so mad that Obama won that you want our country to fail just so you can rub it in my face? How patriotic of you.

"Anyone who votes for Obama must not be working or paying taxes."
You're totally right. I worked for 14 years but never paid a penny to taxes. Actually, I pay a higher percentage of taxes and social security than billionaire Mitt Romney. And no, I'm not "working" for money now, but I'm raising a child. Ann Romney had the luxury to do the same thing with all her children.

"Anyone who supports someone who supports a woman's right to chose can not be a true Mormon."
Wow. What gives you the right to judge who is a true Mormon? I am 100% active in the LDS faith, and it isn't someone else's place to tell me otherwise. I LOVE my religion and do my best to follow its teachings in my life. Do I like abortions? Absolutely not. I think they are awful in every way. Would I ever have one? Absolutely not. Do I think that women should have the right to choose? Absolutely. Sadly, it often seems that the only people conservatives care about are the unborn babies. But once these children are born, it is "fend for yourselves." So all these innocent babies that would be born to teenagers and drug users better step up and provide for themselves because if they need food stamps to live, they are free loaders. Then if they somehow make it to college, they better not need financial aid. I know adoption is supposedly the answer for teen moms or rape victims. However, after holding Swen for the first time, I know that I could never have been selfless enough to give him away, no matter what my circumstances were at the time.

"Obama is an immoral man."
You were lucky enough to meet and get to know him? I'm jealous! What did he do that makes you believe he is immoral? From what I can tell, he is a highly moral and honorable man.

"My marriage means less because gay marriage is legal."
How does gay marriage hurt you at all? I really don't get this one. If you don't like gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. That simple. I was sealed to the love of my life in the LDS temple for time and eternity, and NOTHING can change that.

People, whether LDS or not, should not have to feel afraid to express their political opinions. They should not have to fear being ostracized or rejected for their beliefs. I truly love and respect all my friends that voted for Romney. I hope that they can support me for who I voted for and stop all the attacks. This blog is my promise that the next time someone I didn't vote for wins, I will not say one mean thing about him (or her!). I will never choose my friends solely according to their politics.