Letter to my very Liberal, Loving, Lesbian mother

If you are a Republican or very religious or even very closed-minded - please take my word and do NOT read this - if you do chose to read and don't agree I really don't care so please don't waste your time leaving a comment...I will just erase it. Yes that is me myself being closed-minded, but it is a very personal letter that I wrote my mom at 12:47 MST on 11/5/08. It reflects very personal and strong opinions and is very much a part of who I am. I am also sorry if I offend any Republicans that might not be an "average" Republican. I understand that because I don't agree with all of the Democratic ways of thinking, not all Republicans will feel the same either...sorry for stereotyping, but hey that's life. I am stereotyped all day long. That being said....

Obama didn't win Yellowstone - and I'm guessing when I wake up in 7 hours he will not have won MT and we will still be the same backward looking, conservative, non-progressive state that makes me want to move. Part of the reason I have little desire to reside in MT in the long run is because we cannot seem to look past ourselves and do what is best for the whole. We cannot put the separation of Church and State in our hearts...most people here are conservative Repubs b/c God says so...which as you know makes no sense to me. I believe in freedom of religion. I also believe that I should be free from having anothers religion pushed on me. Marriage therefore should either A - not be a religious act (as that seems to me to be a double edged sword under the 1st Amendment) or B) if marriage is a relgious act the government should only recognize civil unions for everyone (that would be real separation). I also believe that although I am not "Pro" Abortion, I am Pro Choice. I am against the government telling me what I can and cannot do with my body. I believe that Republicans don't want to be told what to do with their money and their rights (as many have stated), but they are willing to tell others what they do or do not have the right to do. That is why I am a Democrat. I don't believe that the middle class should be punished for not having as much money as the upper class, therefore I am for lowering middle class taxes and raising upper class taxes. I believe that by not equalizing taxes we are going back to the ancient caste system where unless (esentially) a miracle happens you cannot move between classes. I believe that even if you are born poor it is not of your own volition and that status should not limit were you are allowed to go in life. I believe that to some extent we not only should, but must help others, especially to the extend that they are willing to help themselves. I believe that I should have the right to marry whomever I please without judgement, if Christian conservatives feel a need to judge me for these beliefs that's fine too. No one will always agree with me all the time all the way. If they don't agree with me, however, they quote the bible...which again defeats the purpose of church and state. Our forefathers came to this country and purposely put a separation of church and state in our Amendments. I am of the religion "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I am not perfect and I am sometimes judgemental....my judgement usually passes. I usually come to the conclusion that it is not always my way and it is not always about me and that some people will always be the way they are. They see nothing wrong with themselves and I can't change that (even if I know better :). I am an elistist and I do believe that I am smarter and more tolerant than many other people. I was raised in a small town with conservative values that I myself did not agree with. I learned to be tolerant because I had to be. I too was outnumbered. I love my country, but I am ashamed of what it has become. I believe that we are in need of a great and momentous change in our country. I hope that Barack Obama and the soon to be democratically controlled Congress can achieve a change that Americans, and more importantly, the world can be proud of. Today at this very moment, while I worry about Montana, I am proud of our country. I am proud that for the first time in American history a black man was considered an acceptable candidate for presidency. I am even more proud that we voted him into office on the first try, not the second or third, the first. I too have a dream like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I too "have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." I believe that no matter race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender our country is founded and prides itself on that very phrase..."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men (and now women) are created equal." We have an African AMERICAN president elect...those things that your generation fought for mom, those dreams you had for your children, your children's children, and your children's children's children are coming true. I only hope that my generation can be so passionate and progressive...even though unlike your generation we will likely never need to be. Thank you mom for your part in teaching me right from wrong, truth, compassion, and forward thinking. Thank you for your part in changing this country and may I change the world in a myriad of small, but significant (or even insignificant) ways. I love you and I am glad that we got to witness this huge step in our country's history together!