Who gets my vote?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the U.S. economy to add 8.3 million jobs from 2021 to 2031.
In CBO’s projections, elevated inflation initially persists in 2022 because of the combination of strong demand and restrained supply in the markets for goods, services, and labor. Inflation then subsides as supply disruptions dissipate, energy prices decline, and less accommodative monetary policy takes hold.
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CBO projects that the federal budget deficit will shrink to $1.0 trillion in 2022 (it was $2.8 trillion last year) and that the annual shortfall would average $1.6 trillion from 2023 to 2032.
Those will stay the same regardless which party is in power.
So, economics, while important.. the election this time around sits squarely on social issues for me. I can never understand how anyone can choose to disallow a whole segment of our population to their equal rights. It's just wrong.
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The stats have not changed in over several decades, and my guess is it is probably higher given how few rapes are actually reported. think about that 1 in 4!
Now look at your circles of friends. Look at your family members. If you are not the one, then that means someone close to you, very well is. You may never know, or you may be all too aware of whom the victim is.
And given the culture we live in and the snide responses to very publicly accused men vying for positions of power..
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Now I want you to imagine approaching that person in your circle, whom you love, with whom you have shared memories, of whom you have a deep respect.. and tell them you question the validity of their rape. Go on, do it.
Ask them, "Was it forcible? Was it legitimate? Are they lying?" I'll bet you can't. I'll bet you can't look that special person you know in the eye and tell them they must carry the child conceived in rape because it is God's plan.
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Now explain to them that the only reason they are allowed to have an abortion is because they had to prove they were previously assaulted and traumatized. Or depending on your belief.. tell them that you don't truly care about their assault and trauma, you think it should be magnified by being forced to carry that baby to term.
Now imagine you have a loved one, who made a mistake. Just like you yourself have made tons of mistakes.. and then them they must carry the child regardless.
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Now sure, it's easy to vote for Republican politicians because you convince yourself that it's a ridiculous point to hash over. Maybe you convince yourself it's not as important as the other issues you face because it isn't affecting yourself or anyone you personally know. Maybe you tell yourself that the GOP won't carry it TOO far. Maybe you have given in for so long that you can't change to save face. Or maybe you just keep lying to yourself.
I mean, lower taxes, right?
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So now look around your circles of friends..
I speak for that one of the four statistic and I will tell you, "I was the one statistic in your circle of four, I wonder how many of you are willing to tell me to my face the nonsense these politicians spew, the very same ones you are choosing to vote for to have power, as being credible and valid. And if you can, if you believe as they do.. then you are not the friend I thought you were."
Trust me. you have friends who think as I do.
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@ChippySuave
Wow Chippy....that's one hell of a thread. I wish you well for the mid-terms.
And while many groups of people have valid arguments for representation in my decision.. the issue for me is women's rights, particularly the arguments about rape and incest and how they should be considered as reasons for abortion.
But let me backtrack...
Most everyone I know has gone to college. And most of those colleges had some sort of rape awareness and intervention sessions and rape counseling centers.
Do you remember the statistics? 1 in 4 women are raped in the US.
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