Disclaimer: Views are completely my own.

Hey – GOP:  Stop being so cliché.

Remember that reputation that you’re the party of old, rich, white men?  Remember how everyone already says you want to keep women barefoot and pregnant?

Way to keep it up.

I should say “we” not “you.”  I am a registered Republican.  I am also everything but the reputation, minus the white part. 

 I want to know from the party leaders, and our state and federal legislatures, why during an election year when unemployment is almost 10%, people are losing their jobs and the price of ev-er-y-thing is rising, you’re all focusing on women’s health? 

 “We” are the party of fiscal conservatives.  Cut spending (responsibly might I add), keep tax rates low and fair, and most importantly – keep the government off our backs and out of our everyday lives.

When the GOP says one of our main principles is limited government, I cannot understand for the life of me how that translates into the government forcing everyone to live the way YOU want to live.

 Since when does keeping the government out of our lives mean legislatively telling someone who they can or cannot marry, what they can or can’t do with their bodies, telling doctors what medical procedures must be done based on the choices made by the patient?

Ohh – or is it that you just want the government out of your own backyard, and out of your pocketbook.  But not out of that pro-choice woman’s hoo ha.  Got it.

 I am a white, young, Catholic female.  I don’t agree with abortions, unless in the case of rape, incest and risk to the mother’s life.  I don’t think people should take pregnancy –LIFE – so lightly.  If you are old and mature enough to be sexually active, then you are old and mature enough to know the consequences.   Abortion isn’t just some magic solution to a “problem.”  It’s terminating a life.  And that should NOT be taken lightly. 

 That is my personal belief and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me.  

But because I believe that doesn’t mean that I believe the government should force every other American to live the way that I believe.  And no conservative who supports a limited government should ever support the government on any level to tell the whole country to live the way 10% believes is the “right” way.

 So I want to know why, in an election year, in the 21^st Century, our elected officials are allowing contraceptives and abortion rule the agenda.  All the states that are trying to mandate ridiculous policies, such as the transvaginal ultrasound before an abortion, shouldn’t that be a decision made by the doctor and the patient?  I return to my main point.  How can you say that you want a limited government, but now you’re telling patients and doctors what medical procedures must be performed?  How’s that for keeping the government out of your personal life?

 We say our nation is so great.  We say we are so much more advanced than other countries.  But, really?! Let’s regress about half a century.  Heck, why should women even have the right to vote?  Let’s just do away with the whole 19^th Amendment bit.

And don’t even get my started on Rush Limbaugh.  I know he’s of the shock and awe variety, and I never take what he says seriously – and you shouldn’t either.  BUT, Mr. Limbaugh, how dare you even go so far as to say that if women want their contraceptives covered by insurance that they have to film their sexual activity for you to watch.  You crossed the line.

This whole recent culture of women hating and bashing and calling names is so inappropriate, and so disheartening.  What happened to everyone being created equal?  Why is it the old, rich, white men of my political party are trying to make decisions on something that they will never, ever experience?

Republicans across our country – think about it.  Think about your beliefs.  Think about the contradiction of what you say your ideology is, and how that translates into your beliefs on social issues.  How can you honestly say you support a limited government when you want your government to dictate how OTHERS should live?

And to the elected officials:  freaking focus on the economy and jobs.  This isn’t rocket science.  It’s an election year.  You want a republican in the White House? 

That sure as hell isn’t going to happen if you keep going down this path.

Today marks 10 years the worst attack on US soil, and the first since Pearl Harbor Dec 7, 1941.  Today marks 10 years since 2,983 innocent lives were taken…and many more in the 10 years our military has been fighting in Afghanistan.  Today marks 10 years since the last time the terrorists got ahead.  Today is a day to honor those who were affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the heroes of Flight 93 who overtook the hijackers so more lives would not be lost.  Today is a day for reflection.

10 years ago I was 17 years old, a senior in high school in California.  I woke up to get ready for school to a radio announcement that a plane had hit one of the towers.  They didn’t know if it was an accident, a suicide, or what caused it or why.  I knew something wasn’t right.  As I listened and worries grew that a 2nd plane was about to hit, I ran into the next room, turned on the news, and watched as the 2nd plane did hit.  At that time it was clear this was not an accident.

I had to continue to get ready for school in shock, not sure if it was real, not understanding why it happened.  It’s still clear, my dad calling up to me telling me horrible things are happening in the world.  My mom on a business trip calling home.  Thinking about my family in NY, specifically my Uncle who lives in Manhattan and my sister who had moved to NY a few months prior.  Just the feeling of again, not understanding why, why would this happen?  Who did this?  In the days that followed, I remember my mom telling me this was a time to be with family.  Today I hear others recall that immediately they knew this meant we were going to war and they prayed for peace.  For this 17 year old, all of my peers called for revenge.  We better get whoever was responsible for these actions.  But most of all, I remember the unity and the American pride following September 11, 2001.

Today, I am 27 years old living in Washington, DC, working at the U.S. Capitol - the target of Flight 93.  The wounds remain, the awe that someone could do this (and want to do this) to us is still there.  It feels like yesterday, not 10 years.  I know many, many people who were greatly affected by these acts of terror.  The men and women who stood up and served (or still serve) in our military to fight terrorism and fight for our freedom.  Evil still exists.  We are still at threat.  It is important that today, we honor those who have perished, and thank those who continue to fight so that you are safe and free.  

Today, I wish for peace.  Today, I wish for that unity we had 10 years ago.  Today, I wish for the sense of American pride.  Today, I wish for the return of that feeling of rallying behind the flag.  Today, we stand divided.  Today, that is what the enemy wants of us.  But I know that we are strong.  We are resilient.  We will prevail.  We will remain free.  We are a great nation, made up of amazing people.  And my faith remains.

Although I wish to only honor those who died, the first responders, our leaders who have kept us safe and our military, I have to acknowledge some of the disheartening things I have heard surrounding this day.  I am disgusted by comments made by Paul Krugman claiming that there is a cloud of shame over this day because of the actions taken by our leaders.  Your comments are shameful and dismiss the memory of every life lost.  And anyone who gives credit to the conspiracy theories disgusts me as well.  The people who work in public service and work for the government have such a pride for this country.  How can you actually believe that the government would take so many innocent lives just for oil, or to obtain arms, or wage war???  These actions are shameful.

It is difficult to focus on much else today, especially being in DC.  But, today marks a huge symbol of America - the start of the NFL season.  Something that is American, that brings unity, and all Americans can get behind.  Today we must continue with our lives and prove that terrorists can’t win and can’t knock us down.  It might be something small, and watching football might not seem like a way to celebrate this day, but in my mind it is a small token of what we can do.

Today, I continue to wish for unity.  For safety.  For freedom.  Today, I remember.  And I will Never Forget.

I started this blog to keep a journal of my experiences in Washington DC.  While I moved to this city because of my career choice in politics, I haven’t really been too political in this blog.  Although, I also haven’t posted that often, which I plan to change.

But tonight, I have something to say.  I am a Republican.  In the eyes of many that means I must be heartless or a rich old white man.  It means I grew up brainwashed in a family full of rich, right-wing, christian conservatives because I’m actually a 20-something female.  It means I must favor big corporations and the wealthy 2% to the impoverished, or even middle class.  It must mean I’m a bible thumper who places God in all of my political views.  It must mean that I think all Muslims are terrorists, and our President falls in that category.  It must mean that I am anti-gay marriage and against any woman’s right to choose.  It means I couldn’t possibly care for the environment or animals.

Most of all, it must mean I don’t care about the minorities.  It must mean that I am racist.  I must want all Mexicans deported.  I must not care about rights for blacks, asians, or women.

But that is simply not true.

I am a Republican.  I have a Mexican boyfriend whose father has a green card and family still in Mexico.  I have a gay uncle who has been with his partner longer I can even imagine.  I grew up reading everything I could get my hands on about Martin Luther King, Jr.  I grew up so sensitive to racial issues I remember the day I was called racist and how outraged I felt knowing that couldn’t be farther from the truth and all I really wanted was equality.  

I grew up with an independent/left leaning mother whose family is very liberal.  I grew up with an independent/right leaning father whose family is very conservative.  We didn’t talk politics growing up.  I am in fact Christian, but I keep my Catholicism close to my heart.  I believe my relationship with God most importantly guides how I should live my life, but doesn’t mean that’s how others need to live their own.  I love animals and would own a zoo if I could —- I would never and could never harm or wish harm on any animal in existence.

Just because I am a Republican does not mean I fit in a neat little box and share every extreme belief that exists in my party.  Just as Democrats cover a wide portion of the spectrum, so can Republicans.

Presently, the issue that stands out most in my mind is how I must not care about minorities.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.  I may not stand up for African-Americans as a whole on a daily basis.  I may not be calling for amnesty even though I respect the fact that people from other countries just want the chance at a better life they feel they can find in the U.S.  I may not want the government spending money on every program that helps the less fortunate.  But that does not mean I don’t care.

I don’t call for policies to help groups of people because I look past the group.  I look at the individual.  When I look at you, I don’t care what color, what gender, what sexuality, or what ethnicity you are.  I think that this country needs to look at everyone on equal grounds and believe that everyone can achieve the same success.

I don’t support the government, or anyone for that matter, oppressing any group of people.  But I also don’t support coddling either.  We are all equal.  We all have the same rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  With that, I believe in everyone.  I believe that the black, poor man whose family was never educated can rise above and make something of himself.  I believe that immigrants can come here legally, learn the language and achieve their dreams.  I believe in everybody.

I may judge.  But fine, prove me wrong.  I wouldn’t be here today if my ancestors didn’t come to this country to either seek a better life, escape an oppressive government, or follow the American man they met during the war.  I am grateful for the opportunity my family and my ancestors had, made possible by this amazing country.

I believe that as humans, we are amazing.  We can achieve, accomplish and overcome so much.  So why should I look at an entire minority group and think that they need more help from the government than others?  Isn’t that doubting the human spirit?  Isn’t that assuming the worst in people?

I am Republican because I believe that the government needs to exist to provide basic needs and protections to Americans.  Sometimes, you may need assistance, but it should be a stepping stone to help you become a better person, to put you in a better place and to help you achieve your goals.  It shouldn’t be there as a crutch or a paycheck.  That’s what your community is for.  We may not all be blessed with the same opportunities, but I believe you make your own destiny.  If you want something, you can get it.  And the government should not be in the way of that.

I am a Republican because I believe in people as individuals.  

And because I am a Republican, it does not mean I don’t care.

Less than 16 hours until the boyfriend is here for his 4th (including when he helped me move) visit to DC this year. I’m so thankful for his trips, especially when he absolutely hates flying. Can’t wait to see him!!!!

Today marks 5 months since I arrived in cold freezing snowy DC. I haven’t kept up on this tumblr, the point of it is so I have somewhere to keep all the memories I’ve been making and log all my stories. I’ve definitely enjoyed the ride and this city has not failed to disappoint. From the craigslist congressman to today’s weinergate (members of congress need to stay off the Internet), other various scandals, member sightings to the nrcc dinner and after party, going to the White House the night they killed bin Laden and fun times with new friends. Here’s to what surprises this summer has in store here on Capitol Hill!