Reflections

(a)

On almost every level, I should be a Republican. I am a white protestant woman, a southerner, whose parents are both registered republicans. So why do I not listen to Rush Limbaugh every time I get in the car or have Mitt Romney stickers everywhere?

                I’m white. I don’t know any other way of putting it. I told my boss one time that I used to be as white as Lorde. She said, “Used to be??” I’m white, and that means I am inclined to be a republican.

                Summers are spent working at church camp. Sunday mornings are spent in church. At least a few minutes every evening are spent studying my bible. I’m a protestant, and I’m proud of it. This also means that I’m more likely to be a republican.

                My dad is a retired marine and when I was little we did our fair share of world traveling. A decade ago we settled in Jacksonville. I do consider this my home (for the next three months, at least), and I do consider myself a southerner. I enjoy a trip through the Bojangles Drive-Thru as much as the next person and I’ll listen to country music on an occasion. This means I should be a republican. Are you seeing a pattern here?

                Both my parents are registered republicans. When my sister comes home from Chapel Hill and starts talking about abortion or civil rights with my Dad I tend to leave the room. It’s not pretty.

                The only part of me that said I should be a liberal is my gender. I am a woman. And yet, that seems to have taken over because I am not a republican. I consider myself a Post-Modern. While that is mostly in the middle, Post-Moderns tend to lean to the left. How the heck that happened I have no idea, but this is who I am. Take me or leave me, I don’t need you anyways.

(b)

Democracy—

My definition is the rule of the people (to some extent) by voting. The textbook definition is very similar. Democracy is what we practice and celebrate in America. What else is there to say?

Individualism—

My definition of individualism points out our first amendment rights and the freedom that is protected by our armed forces. We can be ourselves and do what we like for the most part. This comes to mind because my dad fought to protect these rights for twenty-two years. The textbook definition also points out that individual’s opinions are valued.  This isn’t something that we typically think about today because of the size of our government and the fact that it wasn’t made to do exactly what the people want 24/7.

Rule of Law—

I immediately think of the constitution. It is the supreme law that our government and our freedoms are founded on and protected by. The textbook also says that the norms and rules in this country are based on a written law, not the whims of a ruler. This didn’t even cross my mind. Americans are so well-protected from crazy rulers that we don’t even consider it.