Hello All, My name is Heather. I'm 27, a mother of an 8 year old, a 6 year old, and my last baby is on the way. Ive been married to my highschool sweetheart for 9+ years. We live in South Carolina.

I've only recently begun to show interest in politics, but admittedly, I remain politically ignorant in several areas, and I wanted to join this forum to learn. I want to learn about different areas in US politics, and make my own decisions, instead of being persuaded one way or the other by someone with biased opinions. So far, this is what I know about myself politically speaking.


I'm an atheist. I think God has no place in politics, but Im not one of those "OMG take GOD off of our money and out of our pledge!!! / dont call it a christmas tree call it a tree of knowledge!" kind of people. I dont see anything wrong with leaving those things be for the sake of tradition. But I'm in favor of the overall seperation of church and state. I mean, I set up my christmas tree every year, because it's a fun family tradition. Im not offended by christmas or any other holiday. But yea, Dont pray in schools, dont do religious songs at holiday programs, etc.

I support gay rights, and hope to see gay marriage legalized. Some of my best friends are gay.

I think abortion should have no place in government, and a woman has a right to choose. I also believe there is much potential in stem cell research. I happen to be 7 months pregnant, and I would NEVER abort my own child, ever, unless the pregnancy directly threatened my own life. That being said, who am I to dictate what others choose to do?

I was looking at a chart that had different views and how all of the current candidates view them. ( 2008 Presidential Election Candidates on the Issues )I have mixed opinions on how I view some of the things on the list:

internet neutrality. I hope that the internet stays out of politics. leave it alone already.

Oil-anwr-kyoto.. i understand very little about these areas and would like to learn. I know that there are pros and cons to drilling in alaska, but im not sure how i feel about it either way. Kyoto, i just plain dont know enough about what all this involves. So i remain neutral.

Iraq- I dont know whether i support the war or not. Again, i just dont know enough about it to make that kind of decision. I do support the troops, regardless of whether they are in the war or not. I think i would like to see the US pull out of iraq, but gradually. But this is an area I definately have to learn more about, im just too ill equipped to make a decision at this point.

Iran- I am absolutely clueless about this. Im not sure how to feel about sanctions in iran, or military action there. Looking forward to hearing different opinions and learning.

Guns- I agree with the more extensive background checks for gun purchases, and I agree with the assault weapons ban. I figure, as long as hunters can have a gun to hunt, and people can have a handgun to protect themselves, what is the point of an AK47 or a high powered assault rifle? I dont think guns should be banned period, i believe in the right to own a weapon.

Death Penalty- I'm pretty sure I agree with this, but I'm kind of wishy washy. I think it depends on the crime and the criminal...i dont see any way of generalizing it. And in cases of wrongful convictions, I dont like to think of innocent people being killed. But rapists and cold blooded killers, absolutely. How in the world could we tell for sure who deserves to die and who doesnt? confusing.

Torturing terrorists- I dont like to think of this. Im sure it makes me look like the cleche naive stupid american, but Id rather NOT think about it. I dont like to think of ANYone being tortured, or humiliated etc. But I also hate bad guys. Im just really unsure on this issue. Some people may deserve to be tortured, but ..i dunno..its just too difficult for me to think about. I need more info.

Guantanamo- Im guessing this is dealing with whether we should leave the terrorist prisoners there, or bring them here to our US prisons. I dont like the idea of terrorists being hauled into america, but I dont know what all the pros and cons are, so I need to learn more about this.

Wiretapping- Personally I couldn't care less, but i figure if it helps homeland security it is a good thing. The people who are all "they are invading our rights to privacy! etc", i think thats an irrelavant argument, because they arent interested in spying on joe shmoe to see who is cheating on their spouse or using heroine, its about terrorist acts. If you arent a terrorist, what do YOU care if the government overheard you say some personal secret? Im sure they wouldnt be worried about anything innocent. But I digress...

The patriot act- Honestly? I really dont know much about what this is. Like i said, I admit that I am politically ignorant, but thats why i am here. To learn. From what i understand, the patriot act pretty much makes it easier for the government to do whatever it takes to investigate and act on potential terrorist activities, and to do so quickly without a lot of beurocratic intervention and delays. I'm ok with that, but of course I may have made a gross understatement of what it actually involves. I want to learn more about this.

Immigration- Citizenship for the illegals that are already here- this is self explanitory, but I dont know enough pros and cons for it, so I have zero opinion on it either way.

Border fences- same as above, my opinion has yet to be formed.

minimum wage increase- I *think* I am opposed. I mean does a mcdonald's fry jockey really need more money an hour, thus increasing the price of my big mac? If they want more money, they should show the initiative to better themselves and further their careers.

Universal Healthcare- I can see pros and cons. I dont think I would like it.. but I am still pretty much undecided.

I weighed my opinions against those on the chart in the above link, and basically, my opinions *best* matched Biden, Clinton, and Obama. I guess that would make me a democrat, but at the same time, I disagree on some points with those candidates, such as gay marriage ban, etc. I also agree with some republicans, I think Ron Paul is pretty hip for an old guy, and I have some interest in what he has to say as well. So far, I see who agrees with me on the issues that I understand, but I dont think I will be voting, since I just plain dont understand enough about the remaining issues. What if I end up voting for someone who it turns out I disagree with, once I learn more about a certain issue? If you give an idiot a weapon, he will hurt himself. I'm not an idiot, but I AM not properly equipped to decide on all the issues, so I think my safest bet is to sit this one out for now. I was born and raised in an extremely right wing home, and my husband is republican, but obviously we agree and disagree on certain things, which is what brought me here to hear different opinions and see different facts, so that I can decide for myself. Our political differences arent a problem in our marriage, and I am grateful for that. I was forced to be a christian as a child and young adult, and only recently came to terms with the fact that I am atheist, and it was a very freeing experience. It made me happy to think for myself, so I'm looking forward to doing so politically as well, to see where exactly I stand, and who I am.

Thanks for reading this, hope my views dont offend anyone, I cant wait to start chatting with you guys and hearing ideas. I'm eager to learn.