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Democrats not pro-all-choices
Oct. 15, 2011
Ramsey Fowler
Senior at Lee's Summit West
I am currently a senior in high school, and I am enjoying the experience of my last year. Next year I will attend college and have a lot more responsibilities.
My teachers will not send my mother constant emails concerning tests, class projects and conferences. I will be responsible for budgeting my money, attending classes, and being on my own without a parent’s daily guidance.
I admit this is going to be a big change, but I believe I am prepared to jump out of the proverbial nest. I will be 18 years old, a college student, a registered voter and beginning the journey toward my American dream. What else do I need? Perhaps a refresher course on how to do laundry.
Many liberals run on a pro-choice political platform. Democrats believe that a woman has the right to choose if she wants to terminate her pregnancy. Shockingly, though, Democrats seem to favor limiting our choices in other areas.
Many of the policies they support are in fact restrictive. The Department of Energy has restricted our options on appliance standards and even the choices concerning the light bulbs we use. They have put penalties in place to make sure that you will be punished if your choice does not coincide with theirs.
Democrats are forcing consumers to purchase products that are “green” but some are inferior, more expensive and many are not even American made. The United States of America should not be a one-size-fits-all Nation. I, for one, am for energy conservation, but common sense needs to prevail!
Instead of forcing these “green agendas” through fines and potential incarceration, the advantages and disadvantages should be presented in an honest reliable manner. Just give us the facts, and we can take it from there. Seriously, I don’t think the government should be involved with every decision we make.
I receive letters in opposition to my opinion on a weekly basis. I truly wish someone would explain to me why the government is more capable of running my life than I am. Why would I put myself through college, serve in the military and begin my life as a politician only to hand over basic freedoms that are self- evident?
Why would “we the People” ever lay down our rights and have someone make decisions for us? I firmly believe that the supporters of big government have given up on the American people. Why are some politicians conceited enough to presume they know what’s best for the citizens of this country?
Big government is great if you are dealing with a lot of incapable people. However, I feel that the majority of the United States citizens are more than capable of running their own lives and making decisions as big as how to illuminate their homes.
I heard a saying once that everything in life is a success or failure based on the level of expectation. I feel that the Democratic Party does not expect much from the American citizens and therefore their policies are often restrictive and don’t promote individual choices and success. It still bothers me that the
Democratic congress and president pulled a “fast one” and passed Obamacare. Remember Nancy Pelosi stating, “We have to pass our bill so that you can find out what is in it?” It’s become a grab bag special in Washington.
They write bills in secret and pass them with their fingers crossed, hoping that no one will notice. Thankfully, many states have filed suits against the federal government. This is an unlawful act that does not allow citizens to choose their own healthcare.
I have witnessed firsthand how absurd bureaucracy can be.
At Lee’s Summit West we don’t have access to salt packets. You can order French fries, but heaven forbid you want to salt them. Apparently someone decided for the district that salt is simply too unhealthy, and as teenagers, we should not be tempted with this dangerous condiment.
This tiny salt packet is a great example of a “big brother” knows best system. Has it really come to this?
Someone couldn’t sleep at night because they were having sodium nightmares and darn it, they did something about it.
In five months I can vote, join the military, and possibly die for my country. But as a teenager in the Lee’s Summit School district, I do not have the option of salting my French fries.
Is our local government jumping on the “big government” bandwagon? Oh wait, they already have by wanting us to use their trash company of choice.
Can we please settle this single trash ordinance once and for all with a city vote? That’s called democracy and it’s what this wonderful nation was founded upon.
I’m worried my generation is simply getting used to “the salt packet” epidemic.
Small freedoms slowly disappear.
When do we notice? And at what price do we pay? I wonder what would happen if I brought my own salt shaker to school.
As I’m narrowing down my college choices and visiting various campuses, I’m not only looking at their academic setting, but also their condiment selection.
God Bless America!
Ramsey Fowler is a senior at Lee’s Summit West High School. Write to him at government@lstribune.net.
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