If you really want to know

*Warning: Political talk. If you don't care, you can visit my photo blog and see a couple videos of Olivia. I can see how that would be more fun.*

I am sick of political ads. I am under no illusion that either party's candidate (in any political race) is going to achieve or attempt to achieve half of what he is promising. Many of these promises are made in an effort to buy our votes.

What I care about are the candidates' ideologies. What are their world views? How do they compare to mine? Will they help us become the country we were founded to be?

For the most part, I try to stay away from politics. However, as a lifelong pro-life advocate, I've had to get involved now and then. I'm a firm believer that you can't eradicate abortion by simply legislating. The more effective approach is to change hearts and minds of those directly affected by the decision. That is done by taking people by the hand and helping them find the resources they need to choose life. And, occasionally, legislation does help (by requiring ultrasounds, counseling, etc. to help women recognize that there is another individual involved). But it is the people in the pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies who are making the real difference.

I realize, though, that there are other forces at work...forces that have a financial interest in destroying embryos and promoting abortion. That is why, no matter how much I dislike the political process, I must stay involved. Too many lives are at stake.

That said, my overall view of government is that it has become too big. There are too many taxes, too many failed programs, and too many hands in the cookie jar. I'm a firm believer that a free market provides the best opportunity for improved products and services because of the forces of competition.

What about the lower class? Christ said that the poor will always be with us. And I don't think government handouts have improved that situation. I believe it is up to us to help those in need. We've become a country of people looking for government to save them. It's time we start saving ourselves and helping our neighbors. Government can't solve all of our problems.

If you really care about what I think, this article sums it up nicely.