Final Discussion

Throughout this course, I realized that I have political ideologies that go along with both the Republican as well as the Democrat side. I grew up in church with Republican parents, but since then I've branched out on my own and really been able to come into what my personal beliefs are. However, some things are just engrained in me forever (ie, I'm pro-life until the day I die). I don't find a whole lot of people who share my same beliefs, especially in this state, so I try to keep my opinions to myself unless it is a proper place and time for a political debate. But this class has made me realized that my own personal experiences have shaped my beliefs more than I ever realized. I am thankful to have taken this class and thankful to have the opportunity to explore my own political beliefs.

For Ronnie.

We met outside the theatre at school while we were both waiting for a ride. He introduced himself, "I'm Ronnie", he said. I noticed his glasses and his perfect skin and goofy smile and thought, "we are going to be friends". We chatted away the afternoon until my mom arrived and offered to take him home. We exchanged numbers, and that night we stayed up talking into the wee hours of the morning. He was the most interesting and beautiful person I had ever met. Our talks ranged from silly gossip to deep talks about the nature of reality and the presence of God. Before Ronnie became my best friend, I was deeply opposed to homosexual marriage. But when he told me the stories of his childhood and poured out his heart to me, it was clear that he just wanted to be loved like everyone else. How could everyone else be so blind to this simple fact? Ronnie listened to me cry and gave me words of encouragement and in a world where everyone chastised him and thought that his love was ugly, he had the courage to never stop seeing the beauty in the everything. He called me beautiful when I felt the most ugly. He built me up when the world was tearing him down. And even though his beautiful soul has departed from this earth, I will never stop standing up for him and all the other souls searching for love and acceptance. There is beauty behind the pain, and hope behind the fear. One day, no one will have to experience the hatred that Ronnie dealt with on a daily basis, and the world will be at peace.

Week 6

This week we had to research to find out the Senators and Representative for where we live. I have recently moved and so I did not know which Congressional district I was in nor who my Congressmen were. And so this week I was able to become familiar with them and their political views. I live in Decatur, and I found it interesting that my Representative is democrat, while the state senator is a republican. I think that says a great deal about the demographics of metro Atlanta. But I think it adds balance to our state as far was what legislation we stand behind.
One bill that is going through right now, on a state level, is a push for medical marijuana for seizure patients. Research has found that seizures can be lessened and even stopped altogether if the patient takes an oil that is derived from the cannabis plant. My friend has a son who suffers from seizures and she is taking a stand behind this initiative in hopes that it will bring relief for her son.
This just goes to show how important it is for citizens to stand up for things they believe in. They can be heard by their representatives, and they can be an important factor in making a real difference.

If you want to read more about what's going on in Georgia with medical marijuana, you can check out the article (featuring my friend, Becky, and her son, Connor) here: http://www.myajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/unlikely-champion-to-press-for-medical-marijuana-i/nc4Zn/

Week 5 Political Cartoon

I tend to take a pretty cynical stance when it comes to the political system in the United States. In the picture, you see both democrats and republicans alike eating from the grass, or "money", generated from the major corporations of the United States. A symbolic money tree has been placed between them.
Left holding it all together is us, the 99%, who are essentially reduced to pocket change (hence, ""Change" for the people") due to the business practices of these corporations.
The point is, "Does it really matter who I vote for?"