I believe…

I believe . . .

• Decent people with good intentions seek political office. But once elected, these same people often become more focused on being re-elected than solving problems.
• I am a registered Republican who did not vote for George W. Bush.  I am a Catholic who does not agree with every tenet of the Roman Catholic Church. I believe in a woman’s right to choose and think sex offender registries do absolutely nothing to keep our children safe.
• I believe the Second Amendment is just as crucial to our liberty as the First Amendment. I believe homosexuals should be allowed to get married. I believe the Boy Scouts should not be forced to accept homosexual leaders.
• I don’t believe in capital punishment, and I wonder why so many who do also claim to be “pro-life.”
• I believe that women and men are different and that each gender has inherent strengths and weaknesses. I think God knew what He was doing when He made us that way.
• I believe in keeping score and teaching children that it’s okay to lose a Little League game. I believe it’s good to recognize achievement and that it’s bad to lower our standards in order to achieve better self-esteem.
• I believe in questioning authority and challenging the status-quo. I believe that absolutely no one in Augusta understands our school funding formula. I don’t believe in suing McDonald’s if you spill a cup of hot coffee on your lap.
• I believe in proper lawn maintenance, and I don’t believe in a 40-hour work week (I believe in working hard until the job is done). I think it’s wrong that people on welfare can buy potato chips but not toilet paper.
• I believe we all make stupid choices. I believe we all have the ability and obligation to repair the damages we cause to others.
• I believe our mistakes are not nearly as important as our commitment to rectify those mistakes.
• I believe we all have dreams and fears. I believe you should focus upon the former, not the latter.
• I believe Democrats worry too much about the boardroom and Republicans worry too much about the bedroom.
• I believe in persistence and high expectations. I believe children should do chores and smile for family portraits.
• I believe in heaven and hell. I have seen glimpses of both.
• I believe that all people are doing the best they can with the skills and knowledge they have acquired so far. I believe in the power of positive thinking.
• I believe in the four food groups. I believe smoking is one of the stupidest things a person can do. I don’t believe in the Atkin’s Diet or Rogaine. I always choose “original recipe” over “extra crispy” when given the choice.
• I don’t believe in big government or that alcoholism is a disease, despite what the American Medical Association says. I don’t believe in being politically-correct. I believe cats are smarter than dogs.
• I believe it’s okay for parents to spank their children, and there will always be people who want to hurt the United States.
• I believe the snowplow driver will always pass my house just as I finish clearing my driveway.
• And finally, I believe love is a choice, one which requires tremendous sacrifice. I believe the teacher is always right and that life is generally not fair.