I actually have many political views.  However, I think before I share them.  I am not the kind of person to spout off and get into a pissing contest regarding the election or tell people that they are "wrong".  As a person who works in mental health with adolescents, I make my statements. 

Politics can be influenced by religion.  This is fine...my religious views contribute and on many levels ARE the values that create my political views.  Morals are important as well. 

My statement is simply this..."Conservatives" spend so much time discussing personal responsbility it's sickening.  I do believe that if you make a mess, you should clean it up.  I do believe that if you chose to buy a house without being able to afford it, you should either find a way to pay for it or lose it. 

HOWEVER, I also believe that we as a society CANNOT stand by and allow children to live in poverty and not do anything.  Is it a child's fault that his family cannot afford a mortgage?  Is it a child's fault that her father sexually abuses her?  Is it a child's fault that his parents cannot put food on the table and he is then forced to sell his body?  Is it fair that children around the world do not have clean water and decent food to eat?

I work with these kids...the kids that are results or rape...the kids who have been abused, and some have in turn abused others.  I work with the kids who will one day be classified as "personality disorders".  I also work with kids who change.  I work with kids who learn to love.  If any of us think we are above those children, and that we would "never" act as them, then I think we are being unrealistic fools.

I do see kids who have been given everything they could seemingly want, and those with seemingly strong families.  Those are not necessarily the kids I am referencing.

My challenge for us all is this...do not consider "personal responsibilty" as the most important political issue unless you have a way to eliminate the effects of this said "responsibility" from future generations.  If we are called, by God to serve "the least of these"...let us do that.  Let us serve through the talents and resources we have been given.

Where am I?  I am in Virginia...  Yes, I decided to stay.  I didn't drive home; I knew this was where I was meant to be for a glimpse of time...I spent my birthday 1600 miles from home.  I am now here, if I stand here I'm standing on the promises that I have been given.  If I fall, I pray it will be clinging to the grace and mercy of God.  It isn't about my parents anymore.  It isn't about living up to expectations that I cannot achieve...I have spent a good portion of my life without achieving some things because of fear and a lack of confidence.  I will not look back with regret, but I will draw from it in becoming who I am meant to be.  I feel like for the first time I am making my own tracks.  Before even when I took a path, I quickly found someone else's tracks to follow.  Now the snow is piled high when i look around there are not tracks for me to follow.  I have people on both sides of me ready to head whichever way I decide to go.  My parents cannot just come to my rescue, but I have people on MY team.  I work with people who know how to work together.  I never dreamed that working with 4 rec therapists, 2 art therapists, and several full and part time mental health workers could be so invigorating.  They willingly help each other out, and the creativity abounds in the hospital.  I am not a "student."  I am a professional, the music therapist.  Ask me in 3 months how it is going...the honeymoon will be over then, but I am pretty sure I'm living on a beach (even though its almost an hour to the beach literally).  I am tired...I hope that this is coherent.