I Now Prounounce You Chuck & Larry...

Everybody loves a wedding right? Not necessarily. Did you know that over 75% of our country does NOT support gay marriage? They might support civil unions and gay rights, but NOT gay marriage.

I am in the minority on this issue. I am perfectly fine with gay marriage and I think it should be legal.

I think that being gay is not a choice, and I don't think it's a sin. I don't believe in ostracizing someone because of it. Why should someone have to live a lie, or feel horrible about themselves if this is who they are? If two people love each other and want to commit to spending a lifetime together, and their church is willing to perform a wedding ceremony, why not?


Here are some arguments AGAINST gay marriage:



Marriage is an institution between one man and one woman.

Marriage is for procreation.

Same sex marroages aren't the ideal environment in which to raise children.

Gay relationships are immoral and violate the sacred institution of marriage.

Marriages are for ensuring the continuation of the species.


The following excerpt pretty much sums up our President's view on the subject:

Although Barack Obama has said that he supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."

Barack Obama did vote against a Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.

He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if marriage between gay and lesbian couples should be legalized.

From the White House Web site: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

Here is an argument FOR gay marriage, that I agree with:

Our government was set up from the very beginning, as an institution whose goal was the preservation of the rights of its citizens. Nowhere in either the constitution or the declaration of independence is there outlined a governmental responsibility or power to reward behaviors the government or the masses like. Our government’s job is to protect the rights of all of us, including those that are gay, not to uphold the prejudices of the masses, as it is doing in this case. It is the government’s responsibility not to uphold in this case the prejudiced will of the people, no matter how much of a majority they constitute but to defend the rights of its people. Period.

The fact of the matter is, since our elected officials' job is to represent the citizens of the United States, and most of our country does not support gay marriage, chances are, it will not be legal in most states. At least not for now.

What do YOU think?

Footnote: If this sounds like an essay for a 10th grade political science class, it's because I'm trying to be RATIONAL and STICK TO FACTS. I know flying off the handle is more entertaining. But I'm not going to do it. (At least not today.)

As Olivia Newton John would say...

"Let's get political!" Or was it "Let's Get Physical?" Whatever.

The point is, just when you thought it was safe to read Caffeine Court, I'm going to get all political on you.

Ever since the Presidential elections, I've noticed that bloggers have been getting really fired up when they discuss their political beliefs.

I've heard alot of name calling. Some of the phrases I've heard include, "Kool-Aid Drinker", "white privileged mentality," "Nazi" and "ignorant redneck." OUCH!

These kind of over the top rants puzzle me. I know blogging is all about self expression, so if what you want to communicate, is that you're an angry, emotional, irrational person, go for it.

If you're trying to reason with readers' who don't agree with your views and would like to, influence their position with your intelligence and sense of reason, name calling probably isn't going to work. Believe it or not, if you have a good enough argument to back up your position, some people, who might disagree with you, might just change their mind BECAUSE of you.

If you're goal is to get a pat on the back from people who already agree with you, and, like you, love to attack and stereotype large groups of people, then kudos to you.

I really enjoy discussing politics or controversial issues, WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

I am always open to others opinions, even when they don't agree with me. I love hearing different takes on important issues. I know I can learn something from just about everyone.

What I don't enjoy is when people start getting out of control with their anger or emotion and then start up with the personal attacks. That's when the conversation ends for me.

I'm not going to go there.

We all have passion about subjects like healthcare reform, abortion, gun control, and gay rights. It's the ability to discuss these topics rationally, without getting vicious and hostile that separates the civilized from the crass.

This week I'm going to try a little experiment. (Time permitting, school starts Wednesday!)

I'm going to do some posts on some controversial issues. I'll give my take on them and then if you are so moved, we can discuss them. We will try to stay calm, cool and collected, and stick to the issues.

Those who don't play buy the rules have to sit in the penalty box.

Are you in?

Maybe this will interest you...

Okay, obviously no one but Connie (Mrs. K.) cares about my field trip to the Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club. I have some good stories about the place that aren't so positive, but I'm not going to tell them. I'll bet you're disappointed. Sorry.

Anyway, Connie tagged me on a little meme, so here goes:

Seven things you don't already know about me.

1. I love Woody Allen movies, and still watch them even though he is officially a perv. I also love Pee Wee Herman, another perv. I guess you could say I'm a huge fan of perverts.

2. Sometimes I think I'd like to be a hippie and live in a cabin, with lots of dogs (no duh!). I could knit and garden and commune with nature. Too bad my kids would never go along with that. (Although my husband would!) (It would have to be a nice cabin though, with heat and a washer/dryer.)

3. I've never officially felt like a "grown up" even though I'm 44 years old.

4. I'm trying really hard not to label people when I see them. I know we all do it, but it's a really bad thing to do.

5. One of my old friends recently posted some really shocking pictures on Facebook. He removed them pretty quickly, but I was floored when I saw them.

6. I never dreamed of having a big wedding or wearing a wedding gown, but I am so glad Brad and I had one. I loved my dress and everything about that day. It was incredible to have all the people we love gathered together for a really fun party!

7. I am really close with all my nieces and nephews and love them like they were my own children. I used to be the "fun aunt" before I had kids and they would jump up and down when I would come to visit. I would take them to Chuck E. Cheese (back in the day when I looked forward to going there.) and buy them fun toys. We still have so much fun together and they come visit all the time.

If you need some material, you are tagged! Make sure you let me know if you do it.

Smooches.

I played on grass (and I liked it!)

Yesterday, I had the most amazing experience. My friend Victoria invited me to play tennis at her club, and I fell in love. (Not with a pro, or anything, I'm not THAT much of a cliche!)

No, I didn't fall in love with a person, I fell in love with a PLACE. You see, Victoria doesn't belong to your regular, run of the mill tennis club. She belongs to The Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club, one of the oldest tennis clubs in the country.

I've got to be totally honest with you. I felt like I had died and gone to tennis heaven.

I drive by this club every day, and marvel at it's beauty; the perfectly manicured courts, the cedar shake clubhouse, the rose trellises and perennial gardens, all absolute perfection. The cherry on the top of the cake are the players, all decked out in their tennis whites. It's like something out of "The Great Gatsby."

I'm not into the whole country club scene but this club just might change my mind. I felt so in my element. Not because I'm some rich, old money WASP, which I definitely am not, but because everyone at that club shares a common love, the game of tennis.

I wasn't sure if I would like playing on grass, but it was amazing. (If you're into tennis you know what I'm talking about, it's such a serve and volley game, which is my specialty.)

We all have our idea of a perfect evening, and for me, and for me, this was it. Getting together with a great group of people, playing my favorite game in the entire world and then sitting down on the sprawling front porch of the clubhouse and drinking a cold glass of lemonade.

The only thing that could have made it better was if we had a little home grown to smoke behind the paddle courts. ;)

But hey, you can't have everything!

A blessing in disguise...

I took a nice little vacation from technology the past 36 hours. I didn't talk on the phone, I didn't go on the Internet, I didn't use my Blackberry and I didn't watch TV.

No, it's not because I'm becoming Amish, or anything extreme like that. It's because I forgot to pay Verizon. And Verizon runs my world.

Once they turn your service off, it's impossible to speak with human, and if you don't have a copy of your bill and the 3 digit number after your phone number, you're screwed.

I spent at least 2 hours trying to get a human to speak with me, and when I finally did, she tried to transfer me to a voice activated computer system that reacted every time someone in my house put a cup down on a counter or breathed too loud. I made a valiant attempt to find a silent corner of my house to attempt to pay my past due amount through the system, to no avail.

This morning, I succeeded in snagging a human being in the billing office who was willing to speak with me for 30 seconds and give me my secret code. I paid my bill, and order has been restored to my world.

Why, you might ask, was this debacle a "blessing in disguise?" Well, without the distraction of my computer and Blackberry, I spent some very nice quality time with my sister and her family, we watched the kids put on a puppet show and talked. I even managed to read a couple chapters of a book. I felt like a regular Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Yes, that 36 hours without technology was a time in my life I will cherish.

In the meantime, I'm putting my Verizon account on autopay so I never, EVER have to go through that again.

Looking for a Sense of Purpose...

Thanks to a recommendation night from Keeks and Brie, Brad and I went to see the movie Julie & Julia on Saturday night.

When I first saw the trailer for the film, I really wasn't that interested in seeing it, but I am so glad I did! I loved the film so much that we went straight to Borders after it was over so I could buy, Julia Child's book, My Life in France and Julie Powell's book, Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously.

If you don't know anything about it, I'll give you a brief synopsis.

The film depicts events in the life of chef Julia Child in the early years in her culinary career, contrasting her life with Julie Powell, a woman who's life has no goals or direction.

Julie, an almost 30 year old secretary who works in dead end job in a drab cubicle near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. She lives with her husband in an awful walk up apartment in Queens. She longs for some purpose in her life, so her husband suggests she start a blog. (Which he later regrets!)

Julie decides to combine her love of writing and cooking sets a goal. She vows to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I, in a period of 365 days and to chronicle her journey in The Julie/Julia Project. You can read the blog from start to finish here.

One of the things that struck me about Julie is that she embarks on her project partially because she believes she has ADD and longs for FOCUS. Sounds familiar!

As it turns out, Julie's project takes over her life. Her husband accuses her of becoming completely self absorbed, and her mother can't understand why she would embark in such a strange hobby, writing a blog, that her mother feels has absolutely no one reading it. (Hmm, sounds familiar again!)

Despite her frustrations and the obstacles, Julie reaches her goal, her blog is a huge hit, they turn it into a book and movie and all her dreams come true.

Which of course, got me to thinking. What could I do for 365 days that I can blog about?

My friend Doug and his wife Annie had sex for 101 days straight and chronicled it in his book, Just Do It. Since that's already been done, I'll have to pass on that one. (Much to my husband's displeasure.)

My blog bud, Dr. Zibbs thought it would be inspiring to clean the house using all different methods for 365 days. Great idea, for someone who has a PASSION for cleaning. Which I don't.

Tennis, as you know, is a passion of mine. Maybe I could try a new tennis racket, (provided by the manufacturer) every day. And blog about it.

Ben & Jerry's has about 60 flavors of ice cream. Perhaps I could try a new flavor everyday, for 2 months. and write about it.

After I gain 50 lbs eating all that ice cream, I can try a different exercise every day, to get into shape.

Maybe I can do a good deed everyday, a "random act of kindness." That would be good. I could give my blog a sense of purpose AND help others in the process.

Damn, I am just chock full of great ideas!

But seriously, it would be nice to have a purpose for my blog.

I'm open to suggestions. Just click the little comment link.

Operators are standing by to take your call.

Freaks and Geeks

It has come to my attention, that some people from my high school days have been lurking on my blog. I did tell a few of my friends about this, and I guess word spreads quickly.

Anyway, since I know some of you out there went to high school with me, I thought I'd talk about high school, and maybe you'll come out of hiding and say hello.

Here goes.

I went to high school in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia,in the early 80's. Looking back, high school was alot of fun, but I definitely have some regrets. One of my biggest regret is that I didn't APPLY myself. (Are you noticing a trend in my life?)

Everything was about getting away with something. I skipped school, talked in class, passed notes and generally goofed around. I didn't look like a trouble maker. But I was one.

I was a classic underachiever. I was in the "gifted program" but I usually ended up in summer school.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a total slacker. I was on student council, I played tennis and was a cheerleader. But I definitely put in minimal effort. I swear, I think some of it had to do with my self diagnosed ADHD. Sitting in a classroom all day listening to a teacher lecture DROVE ME NUTS!

On the weekends and on some school nights, I would jump from party to party and drive around in my friend's Chevy Nova or GMC Gremlin listening to Journey and The Rolling Stones. Beer was usually involved in our outings. If it wasn't we found a way to get it.

As my good friend Jenny puts it. We were derelicts. (Undercover derelicts)

The good news is, I'm still friends with alot of my friends from the good old days and we have all grown up to be very responsible (kind of), respectable adults with families, and homes, and nice husbands or wives. We got our ya-yas out when we were young, and it appears that none of us are having any mid-life crises.

If you ask some of our high school teachers, they would tell you that it's a miracle.

So, how about you? Tell me about your high school days. Were you a freak, or a geek? Or were you in the National Honor Society and captain of the lacrosse team?

Write a post about it and send me a link. If you're lurking, share a memory and let me know you're reading. Or shoot me an e-mail at jillyou@verizon.net.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go do a Jello shot.

Progress Report

It's time for a little progress report on my ADHD. A reader suggested that I get a prescription for a drug called Adderall. Apparently it is life changing for those of us afflicted with this horrible disorder. I love the idea of taking a pill and curing my ailment, (f-you Tom Cruise) but I'm too lazy to see a doctor right now, so I'm taking steps to overcome my disorder without meds.

Here are some steps I've taken to increase my focus and productivity:

One of the techniques I've been using is to put my Blackberry in a difficult to reach spot. If I'm downstairs I leave it upstairs, and visa versa. This has been very effective, not only in cutting down on distractions, but also in getting a better night's sleep.

I used to sleep with the Blackberry next to the bed, and I was always tempted to look at it when I saw the red light blinking. Now, I leave it in the kitchen, and eliminate the temptation to take a peek at Facebook or Twitter.

Another motivating factor in my quest for focus, has been my husband/life coach/drill sergeant. God bless the guy. Last week he not only put down hardwood floors in both my kids bedrooms (after working 8 am until 7 pm). He also succeeded in getting me to organize and purge MASSIVE amounts of books, toys and clothes. I fought him tooth and nail, but he managed to get me to FOCUS and get the job done. (Almost.) The weight that has been lifted off my shoulders is massive.

I felt overwhelmed by all the crap my daughters and I have accumulated, and now life seems so much more manageable.

That's all I'm going to say about that. For now.

On to tennis.

This summer was a good one for me. I went 6-0 in my team doubles matches. My team came in first place out of 10 teams. I had fun. I loved my teammates. What a difference from my pitiful singles season this spring.

Finally, if you're not Twittering. Do it. It's like a party on my computer. And make sure you follow me. My tweets are top notch. Believe it or not, they might even be better than my 2 year old blog.

Hard to imagine, isn't it?

Hey I almost forgot!!

Today is my 2 year blogoversary.

In honor of this momentous occasion I thought I'd do a little video montage of "very special" Caffeine Court moments. Unfortunately this is a blog, so that's not possible.

Then I thought it would be fun to get all my blog friends together and drink gallons of margaritas. I could get really wasted and throw up in a sombrero. That would be awesome. But it ain't gonna happen.

Another idea would be to post some links to my favorite blog posts over the past few years. That would require time and effort, and I really don't feel like doing it, so screw that idea.

My final idea was to set up a really fun political debate, to make my blog somehow "relevant." Unfortunately, whenever I get fired up politically all the BlogHer chicks think I'm a neanderthal, uneducated, redneck. I don't want to tick anyone off, on my special day, so I'll postpone my next political post for another day.

So, I'll keep it simple. If you're reading this, it means you actually took a moment of your day to look at my blog. I consider that an honor.

If you feel like this post just isn't enough, and you'd like to send me an blogeoversary gift, I'm registered at Williams-Sonoma and Tiffany's under Caffeine Court.

Love ya.

The Old and the Restless...

Lately, with the kids home from school and no real schedule, I've been having a hard time getting things accomplished. I jump from task to task, I have a really hard time engaging in lengthy conversation and I'm unable to do anything including unloading the dishwasher or blow drying my hair without taking a break to do something else. (Like look at my Blackberry.)

As I've mentioned before, I had diagnosed myself with ADHD. I talked to my uncle, the psychiatrist, about this and he told me that in order to be officially diagnosed I'd have to see a psychologist and take a battery of tests. That, my friends, is not going to happen. So, I've decided to take matters into my own hands.


Anyway, without further ado, I will start a series here on Caffeine Court entitled, "Focus on FOCUS." This series will chronicle my struggles with ADHD. It will offer support to those who have this affliction and perhaps we can get advice from those who do not struggle with it, but who can offer advice to the "attention span challenged."


Here's some stuff I found online:

For adults with ADD / ADHD, life can be a frustrating merry-go-round of running late, not getting things done, sleeping at odd hours, and feeling like things are out of control. Due to the nature of the disorder, even routine chores and work activities can seem overwhelming. However, there are many skills you can learn to help get your life under control. It’s a challenge, but you can recognize your strengths and use them to develop skills to work better, increase organization, and interact with people more effectively. With the right skills and support, you can counteract the effects of ADD / ADHD.

The following points really hit home for me.

If you have ADD / ADHD, paperwork to you might mean piles of paper strewn everywhere. You might not want to throw anything away, because it is too important—but when you actually need a document it is impossible to find!

Time can take on a fluid quality for those with Adult ADD / ADHD. Boring tasks might feel like they take forever, or you might get so absorbed in a diversion (like Bejeweled on Facebook) that suddenly you lose track of time and are late for an appointment.

Because people with ADD / ADHD often are impulsive and jump from one subject to another, completing tasks is often difficult. Big projects also might seem tough to tackle because of all the small steps needed to get to the end result.

Money management requires budgeting, planning, and organization. So for many adults with ADD / ADHD, it is a particular point of weakness.

People with ADD / ADHD often misinterpret the verbal and nonverbal social cues that most people take for granted. They might interrupt conversations, often with irrelevant comments or questions. They let their attention wander, making it look as if they don’t consider what others are saying as important. Or they may talk on and on, not noticing that others are becoming bored or exasperated. However, you can work on “retraining” your brain to better understand other people are communicating with their words, facial expressions, and body language.

Okay, that's enough for today. I'm bored, and I want to go over to Facebook and play Bejeweled. Pretty soon I'll find the attention span to write about some of the solutions to these problems. I might even try to apply these solutions to my own life.

In the meantime, I'll bet I sound like a really fun person to hang out with right? Let's get together for a beer sometime. I can look bored and interrupt you while you talk. Oh and make sure you bring money, because I'm not good at budgeting, so I might not have enough to pay.

Is it a date?

Back in the saddle again...

Back, unpacking, and enjoying a few hours of peace before the I pick up the dogs at the kennel.

It's strange sitting here without the sound of dogs barking and wrestling on the floor. Strange really isn't the word. Incredibly relaxing is probably a bit more accurate.

On that note...is anyone interested in a 11 year old lab, a 10 year old dachshund and a pug puppy? They're REALLY sweet and the pug is just about housebroken. I don't want you to keep them forever. A few weeks would probably work wonders for my frazzled nerves. I'll throw in dog toys, food, poopy pickup bags AND Nature's Miracle Enzyme cleaner (just in case.) Think about it.

Anyway, our little jaunt to New Hampshire wasn't nearly long enough. I'll post some photos after I do a few loads of laundry, go to the supermarket, hit cheerleading practice, pick up the dogs, pay a few bills and return some phone calls.

In the meantime, take a gander at the hotel we stayed at our last night in NH. Wentworth By The Sea. After staying here after 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Express in Seabrook, I am thoroughly convinced that I need to stop wasting my money on stupid crap at Target, take that money, put it in a vacation account, and spend more vacations in gorgeous places like this. I'm not going to lie. It was fantastic.

More later. My to-do list waits.

Sh-t.

Mrs. D...where art thou?

I can't find your new blog OR e-mail address! Help me! Send me the info to jillyou@verizon.net

I want to catch up!!!

Nurturer in Training

Meet bebe Gloton!

A doll manufactured by a Spanish toy company is inspiring a strong reaction in mothers here in the U.S. The doll, called “Bebé Glotón” (Glutton Baby), comes with an apron-like halter top for young girls to wear. The top features two daisies in the nipple area. When the doll’s mouth is pressed against the nippleflowers, it begins to make suckling motions and sounds. As an added bonus, the doll can be burped after it is done feeding.

Here's bebe Gloton in action:

I'll admit, I think my 6 year old would actually like this. I nursed her until she was 15 months old and I think she still misses it. (Yeah, I know, National Geographic right?)

Of course I laughed when I first saw this...but what do you think? Should women wait until they actually give birth and lactate before they nurse a baby (robotic or otherwise)?

I'll be heading to New Hampshire for the weekend, so we'll talk more when I get back.

I'd rather tangle with Freddie Krueger...

Than with these Krazy Glue packin' chicks!!!!

Women stick together against cheating lover

A sticky case of revenge unfolded last week in a Wisconsin motel after a woman discovered her husband was cheating and invited three other scorned lovers to settle the score -- with Krazy Glue.

The 36-year-old Lothario was carrying on with all of them before his wife figured it out and notified the others, according to a criminal complaint filed in Calumet County, Wis., in a town about 90 miles north of Milwaukee.

"We had a plan," one of the women, Therese Ziemann, 48, told an investigator, according to court records.

Ziemann lured the man to a Stockbridge hotel Thursday, promising a "rub down," the complaint says. He was blindfolded and tied to a bed. Then Ziemann text-messaged the other three women, including the man's wife, who joined her in the room.

One of them, Wendy Sewell, 44, reportedly asked, "Which one do you love more?"

After the victim was threatened with mace, punched in the face and taunted, the mischief moved south.

Ziemann glued a sensitive body part to his stomach, according to the complaint.

The women, including Michelle Belliveau, fled when the man started yelling. All were later charged with false imprisonment. Ziemann also faces charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and misdemeanor battery. The wife was not named to protect the man's identity.

The man was treated and released at a hospital, said Calumet County District Atty. Kenneth Kratz, who otherwise declined comment.

Okay, guys. Can you imagine being surrounded by these scorned women? Just look at them!! The one on the left probably had the same look on her face after she glued the dude's member to his stomach.

I'm not going to lie. I think this is funny as hell, and I'm showing it to my husband. Hey, nothing wrong with instilling a little fear.

As this story proves, "hell hath NO fury like a woman scorned."

Just ask Lorena Bobbitt.

Check out the Classy Chaos!

A few posts back I put up a post about the proposed Health Care Bill.


Pauline over at Classy Chaos read it and wrote her perspective on it on her blog. You should head over there and see the response. Overwhelming!

Deal or no deal?

Yeah, I know, I'm getting all political.

Why? Because I feel like it. And I'm a Libertarian, so I believe in individual freedom. So there.

Maybe next week I'll talk about tennis, or my hair, or maybe I'll talk about Cash for Clunkers.

Anyway. There is a quiz you can take that is quite accurate. It's called The World's Smallest Political Quiz. I'm sure you already know your own political leanings, but what the heck. Quizzes are fun!

If you so desire (because we are all free to make our own choices) click on the link above and take the quiz.

Then come back here (if you so choose) and tell me your results!

My result, as you know, was Libertarian.

Libertarian

Libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and

economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one
that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence.

Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose

government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate

diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

Which one are you?

Left (Liberal) Liberals usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net" to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles. Centrist Centrists espouse a "middle ground" regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention and sometimes support individual freedom of choice. Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind, tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what they describe as "practical" solutions to problems. Right (Conservative) Conservatives tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates "traditional values." They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement. Statist (Big Government) Statists want government to have a great deal of power over the economy and individual behavior. They frequently doubt whether economic liberty and individual freedom are practical options in today's world. Statists tend to distrust the free market, support high taxes and centralized planning of the economy, oppose diverse lifestyles, and question the importance of civil liberties. ...................................................................... Okay, so did you take the quiz? What did it say? Was it accurate? Let's have a little summit. Sorry I can't provide beer, but if you share with us I'll buy you a brewsky at next year's BlogHer. Is it a deal?

t resource: Sbscribe to our FREE Newsletter For Email Marketing you can trust Okay, what exactly is a libertarian, anyway? A few easy ways to support this project! How to get more libertarian information Learn more about the Quiz and the Advocates Help us spreadthe word about

Show this to your children...

Since I opened this can of worms!!

Here's more of what I think...(bear in mind, I am a libertarian, so I'm not a huge fan of big government, no matter who is in charge.)

I'm not heartless, I hope someday, all Americans can have access to quality, affordable healthcare. This bill is not the answer.

I think employers should provide health insurance but without government control or intervention.

Government run programs take away from our free trade and capitalism which encourages business to succeed and prosper with hard work. Government mandates will reduce this drive for success and begin to make us complacent and expectant. We should not expect the government to provide us with everything. Believe me, it's a trade off, and nothing in this world is free.

Some people are victims of circumstance and have fallen onto hard times. Perhaps the Healthcare Bill can be reworked to provide a system for those who CHOOSE to participate, for whatever reason, be it unemployment, or severe financial hardship.

I do believe in helping those who need it. I DO NOT believe in forcing everyone else to participate in a plan that doesn't work for us.

The current healthcare system as is has many flaws, but a this bill is not any better. In my opinion, it tries to do control way too much.

Once again, go read it (and interpret it) for yourself.

If you like it, then make your voice heard. I don't like it, and I don't want it, so I will do the same.