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    Home»Editorials/Opinion»Conflicted: Reflections on Politics and Personal Freedoms: A Thought-Provoking Perspective
    Editorials/Opinion

    Conflicted: Reflections on Politics and Personal Freedoms: A Thought-Provoking Perspective

    April 6, 20243 Comments
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    Conflicted: Reflections on Politics and Personal Freedoms: A Thought-Provoking PerspectiveBy Tommy Acosta

    Sedona, AZ—Recently, a friend asked me about my political affiliation. I’ve never labeled myself as belonging to one party or another but rather as a political scientist studying how people are manipulated.

    I do not consider myself a capitalist, socialist, communist, anarchist, populist, libertarian, vegetarian, Liberal, Conservative, Republican, Democrat, or any of those identifications, but rather a political “actualist” who sees through the curtains most political parties cast. I see myself as an individualist who thinks for himself.

    But I do know the kind of party or affiliation I would support, and basically, it’s a hybrid, inclusive, not exclusive.

    For one, I don’t want the government meddling in my affairs or telling me what to do.

    I don’t want to be forced to take vaccines, wear a mask, stay home, and not socialize because they tell me I can’t.

    I don’t want my female friends and families to be told they can’t have abortions.

    I don’t want to be told what kind of car to drive: combustible or electric.

    The same goes for stoves, heaters, air-conditioners, and household items.

    I don’t want to be told I can’t ride my ATVs around town or that I can’t rent out my home as a short-term rental.

    I don’t want to be told what doctors to see or where to get medical treatments.

    I don’t want to be told what vocabulary to use when writing or talking to people.

    I don’t want to be told what I can see or say online.

    I don’t want to be told what books to read or my children can’t read.

    Basically, I just don’t want to be told what not to do or what to do by the Big Brother government.

    I believe the Constitution is sacred.

    Every adult should be encouraged, not forced, to achieve gun proficiency and own one.

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    I also believe all medical care and higher education should be paid with taxpayer funds.

    I believe our veterans should be given the number one priority in terms of social services.

    Social Security and Medicare are sacred.

    I believe the poor should be fed and that hunger should not exist in our country. Feed America First!

    I believe in supporting all social services.

    I believe in a strong military and a volunteer army, no conscription.

    I understand that wars are unending, profit-motivated enterprises. But while players are out to harm us, what choice do we have but to fight back?

    Stop giving away all our weapons to other countries and build up our own arsenal.

    I believe a comprehensive program needs to be developed to handle the migrant challenge efficiently, legally, and humanely. But there has to be a cap. Both parties need to come to the middle. Every migrant with a criminal record needs to be evicted.

    People who commit violent crimes should stay in jail forever.

    I believe in family values.

    I believe in religious freedom.

    I believe church and state should be kept separate.

    I believe in the power of an individual over the state.

    So, I’m conflicted. I do not subscribe to any single belief system.

    Are there any of you who might feel the way I do?

    I’ll bet there is more than one person who would think that way.

    Healing Paws

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    3 Comments

    1. TJ Hall on April 6, 2024 3:33 pm

      No rules, laws or oversight. Sorry but that’s the definition of Anarchy.
      Means you have anarchistic tendencies.

    2. Ernie Strauch on April 8, 2024 11:01 am

      Tommy, after declaring your “free-thinkership”, your Libertarianism begins to show, to wit, “ I don’t want the government meddling in my affairs or telling me what to do”. I’m with you on the “meddling in my affairs” concept, but “telling you what to do”? C’mon! Seems like that’s what laws are for.

      What about, you may stop at a stop sign, but you aren’t required to; you may wear a seat belt, but you are not required to; you may strap your children in when they are on a highway in the bed of a pickup truck, but you are not required to. Or…how about the ultimate, “You may keep your assault weapon locked up in your home, but you are not required to”.

      No, Tommy, society does not function when everyone DOES WHAT THEY PLEASE! As the previous respondent pointed out, that’s the very definition of CHAOS. It’s not really that difficult to differentiate between meddling in personal affairs, and regulating for the health, safety and welfare of society as a whole. Isn’t that the very definition of the purpose of government?

      The conflict occurs when those wielding governmental powers enter the “personal meddling” domain. Free-thinking should easily distinguish issues such as what I do with MY body, how I choose to express MY sexuality, who I DECIDE to love/marry, which “God” I MAY OR MAY NOT follow, and even the ultimate question, how and when I CHOOSE to die. Decisions such as these are no one’s business other than the human involved.

      Ernie Strauch

    3. Buddy on April 9, 2024 7:57 am

      You should run for office on that platform.

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