I just want to live my life

[EnergizedLib]

Going into the year and during the spring, I wasn't following politics a whole lot. I was seeing tweets and planned to Vote Blue in the midterms, like I always do.

Then the leaked draft happened, and I was distraught and chilled by whole thing that I actually had a sleepless night and couldn't focus on anything except for the news when it broke.

Nevertheless, I continued to try trekking on with my job and everything for about the next month-and-a-half.

Then Bruen happened and that was another sleepless night. When I saw the decision tweeted out on Dobbs, I felt a gut punch to the stomach and just haven't felt the same since.

I am a straight, white male. Dobbs doesn't affect me - no wife, daughter or sister. Overturning Obergefell, Griswold, Loving or Lawrence wouldn't directly affect me either.

And yet, I'll do anything to keep those from being overturned and for Roe to be restored.

I really don't get it, and my view and interpretations on the federal vs. state debate is definitely different from people on the other side. In my opinion, why is it a bad thing that the federal government has legislation affirming and protecting individual rights and civil rights, but it's okay for state governments to infringe on those rights? If the smallest minority is the individual, then we need to make sure all individuals have the same rights.

After all, we are the United States of America, with emphasis on United, and if rights vary by state, how United of a country truly are we? I thought we were supposed to be free and have the same basic rights no matter where we went in this country.

The thing I wish others would get that abortion is not a black-and-white issue. It's a lot more than somebody just not being responsible during intercourse. There's the 10-year-old from Ohio, the woman in Wisconsin who bled for 10 days or a woman in Texas who lost liters of blood and was on a breathing machine because she started to miscarry, but the doctors couldn't give an abortion because of the fetus' heartbeat.

Stuff like this angers me, it crushes me. I'm currently in a red state, though originally from a blue one, and I fear what the state legislature is going to do on the topic. It makes me want to not visit other restrictive states, but then again, the state I'm currently in may soon be one with greater restrictions.

I've seen people on Twitter tell others that this is good that it's now up to the states and people can vote on it.

I don't want to have a vote on it. Do you know why? It's none of my business. It's none of my business if two consenting adults marry each other, perform certain sexual acts in the privacy of their own homes, use contraceptives, etc. The only time I want a "vote" on any of those things is if any of them involve me directly.

Is it me, or it completely twisted that people's basic rights, human and individual rights, should be for a vote? The notion that strangers can decide if a woman pregnant by rape can have their medical procedure, or a pastor deciding if gays can marry, or if a Klan member can decide if a white person can marry a black person. Something just doesn't sit with me that a perfectly married heterosexual couple can enjoy the rights and reap the fruits of a marriage while deciding not to afford that to other people.

But yet, Ted Cruz said yesterday Obergefell was wrongly decided, Mike Braun said Loving v. Virginia was wrongly decided.

As a result, I've joined my local Democratic chapter, and am volunteering for somebody to try to get them elected, and am willing to do the same for others in the area.

I'm in my early thirties. I hope I can see a day in my life again where people can have all of these rights - restored, not overturned and I can just focus on myself and my own personal life.

Yet, that's hard for me to do as long as others keep feeling the brunt of Draconian policies.

[totodeinhere]

1. You learned a good lesson.

Everyone needs to closely follow politics. That is the only way to stop the right wing from sneaking things past us.

[EnergizedLib]

4. Well

I didn't *not* follow politics, per se, but it wasn't exactly a top priority of mine, either.

[Elessar Zappa]

2. Great post!

And welcome to Du!

[EnergizedLib]

3. Thank you.

It's my pleasure to be here.

[Wounded Bear]

5. When one person's rights are violated, all of our rights are violated...

You see, those guys 'over there' don't want this to be the United States of America, they want it to be a loose confederation of States, each with total sovereignty where the only thing the national government can do is finance the Defense Department.

[Scrivener7]

6. This is really well said. I couldn't agree more. And it acknowledges that if they do it to

ANY one of us, they do it to ALL of us.

[EnergizedLib]

12. That wouldn't get us very far

This is the 21st Century, not the 18th, and our role on the world’s stage is very significant.

When state sovereignty happens - slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and segregation happen. Lee Atwater himself said you couldn’t say the N word, so you then start saying forced busing and states rights instead.

To go completely back to state sovereignty would be a disregard for all of our progress we made as a nation, and after all, the 20th Century was known as the American Century.

Times have changed. People and society have evolved, so has the role of government. In fact, slavery was what inspired enshrining states rights into the Constitution. An amendment exists because of something has been abolished, but there’s a side that wants to enforce that amendment to deny others their individual rights.

[blm]

7. People who want to control other people's sex lives and family decisions

are plain, old perverts.

[DFW]

9. Also known as

Republicans

[dixiechiken1]

8. Very, very well said.

I was going to say "good for you" but I actually think this is more a case of "good for US" (meaning Democrats). I think you will see the day in your life when our rights are restored. We're going to have to work our asses off to get there, but get there we will. This is not over.

On edit: Welcome to DU!

[Beartracks]

18. And, in retrospect, the fight is NEVER over.

As perfectly summed up in a Paula Poundstone tweet I saw posted here at DU last week or so:

"I heard a frustrated Democrat on the radio say, 'We voted in 2020.' That's like saying, 'I fed the baby yesterday.'"

=============

[EnergizedLib]

10. Thank You

The worst thing we can do is give up. President Kennedy said during the Cuban Missile Crisis that the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing.

I shouldn’t have to concern myself with these issues, as three of the four were decided before I was born. Nevertheless, I’m going to. I’m inspired to volunteer, campaign, help get Democrats elected, even just for the local offices.

If we stay focused, this setback doesn’t have to be permanent.

[Beartracks]

20. Yay! Especially for the local and state offices, too.

That is where reactionary right-wingers water the grassroots of their turdblossoms.

==========

[c-rational]

11. Good for you and welcome to DU!!

[EnergizedLib]

13. Thank you

I’m glad to be here, and it’s great to have like-minded individuals here, too.

[onecaliberal]

14. Thank you.

[Nevilledog]

15. 👏👏 Very well said!

Those imposing their twisted views on the population are Christofascists. They have to be stopped.

Welcome to DU!

[vercetti2021]

16. You and me both

I'm a transgender woman and these will have direct effect on me. Especially in this shithole state of Texas where my girlfriend and I will not be able to marry or our sex relations will be legal.

Obviously we will defy them and do what we like. We will get married elsewhere If we must.

Welcome though

[EnergizedLib]

21. Hang in there

Remember that you are still allowed to do as you wish and get married in the state of Texas. Love is love and I really thought we were past this by now, but I guess not.

Texas is listed as 14 hours from me and 1,000 miles away. What you and your girlfriend do is not and should not be any of my concern.

I hope you can vote for Beto. I sure know I would if I could, and your Attorney General for some reason is still in his post despite being under indictment. What cruelty he exudes.

I hope you’ve got a lot of love and support from family and friends. If not, you have it here.

[vercetti2021]

47. We do for the most part

And we plan on voting for Beto. Already been to one of his events where I live. But the state doesn't own us. Not gonna let some religious freaks tell me what I can and cannot do

[EnergizedLib]

48. Good for you

Don’t give in. I hope the two of you will be able to do the work to help get him elected. Voting is great, but we can make a difference, too, more than we think.

[markie]

17. just...

[Karma13612]

19. What an incredibly powerful post.

I agree and am of the same “mind” as you. I happen to be an old married straight white female, but I am feeling gut punched from all that is happening. We both have so much empathy and it hurts to see others hurting.

We need to do what we can and not waiver. I fully 1000% agree that as a United States, we SHOULD all have equal rights that span all the states. This “states rights” credo has always been used as a way to take rights away from us. Or conversely, not afford all rights to all people, regardless of state.

I hope you find some peace today.

[EnergizedLib]

27. Thanks a lot

It absolutely does hurt to see that and appreciate the wishes. I guess I’m finding some more peace than when it first dropped, but very much committed to helping us win in November and in 2024, whatever it takes to alleviate the suffering of others.

It seems people don’t talk enough about the Ninth Amendment and unenumerated rights. If marriage is one of them and if marriage has been deemed a civil right, plus you consider the fact Obergefell was decided using both the Due Provess and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment, I’d have to say I not only agree without the verdict, but think it was solid case law, too.

Upholding Obergefell should be a no-brainer. I’m worried at the worst, very, very cautiously optimistic at best.

[Aristus]

22. Welcome to DU!

It's good to have someone with your passionate support for human rights. I'm glad you're getting involved. I'm a straight, white, cisgender male, too. And we have got to show those who look like us, but don't vote like us, how wrong they are, and that they will fail in their evil efforts to deprive Americans of their human rights.

[EnergizedLib]

28. Thank You

As Bernie said, when we turn out, we win. I saw a Zoom conference on MoveOn.org the weekend Dobbs dropped, and a woman on there found it akin to 2016. After you know who happened, we mobilized, voted, got energized, won the 2018 midterms and finished the job in 2020.

We just have to stay on message, be united as a party, vote and also use the things that are winning issues for us to win over Independents, moderates, undecideds, etc.

Let us frame the topic not as killing babies (and for the record, I am sympathetic and feel bad for all lost due to abortion), but as a human rights issue and women’s health.

[momta]

23. Thanks for this, EnergizedLib...

and welcome to DU!

BTW, you sound pretty informed to me. Lot's of thirty-somethings today don't know who Lee Atwater was.

[EnergizedLib]

31. Thank you for the kind words

Well, I learned about Lee Atwater during the Race for the White House series CNN did in 2016, and the tactics he pulled in 1988.

That’s another thing that gets me. There was the smear campaign, the Willie Horton ad, to sink Dukakis in 1988. The Republicans branded themselves then, in the 1990s and do still do now as being tough on crime.

How do you call yourself tough on crime when state legislatures want to pass laws allowing rapist fathers to have visitation rights for what they forced the mother to carry? How can the rapist’s family sue the provider or a rapist father be awarded custody by a judge and you a party still touts itself as tough on crime?

[momta]

49. I'm with you.

Atwater was a snake. I don't care if he repented before he died. He did too much damage for me to ever be forgiving.

I have my own issues with the abortion debate. I've posted my video about it here before, but if you're interested...

This unholy decision is going to get members of my family killed

[electric_blue68]

24. Ty for a thoughtful, and empathetic post. And welcome...

To us it's perfectly clear.

But it's deeply hurtful, and even deadly when racism, sexism, anti LGBTQI continues, or is increased "thanks to drumph's 'permission' ". But that's what they believe.

That and other policies - the cruelty is the point.


Thank you for your local work. 👍
(I've done my share, and will again this '22)

I think you'll like it here: good info, good for venting AND shoring each other up, and many off topic, including a whole forum for humorous stuff.

[EnergizedLib]

33. Thanks for the well wishes

Let’s keep getting out there and work. I’ll be writing more campaign letters this evening for a local candidate I’m volunteering for.

The cruelty being the point has to be the only thing, because they contradict themselves on policy positions often. They both celebrated Dobbs for letting the states decide abortion while also wanting to pass a national abortion ban, which would contradict the Constitution they claim to revere.

[Skittles]

25. gread post, and welcome to DU

but I disagree that you are "not affected" - the GOP's determined march towards fascism AFFECTS US ALL

never forget Martin Niemoller's poem:


First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.



well, first they came for the women.........

[EnergizedLib]

34. Thank You

I am an atheist. I am for the free exercise of religion, but very much against the amalgamation of church and state, which they seem to finally be carrying out.

Nevertheless, I will hold steady in my views.

[Skittles]

44. I too do not care what people believe in

as long as they keep it to themselves - but the GOP increasingly bases their fucked up laws on sanctimonious bullshit

[Novara]

26. Thank you for this

You said you're in your 30s and that none of these decisions affect you directly yet look at you, going out and doing the work.

And you're absolutely right. Rights should never be taken by ANYBODY. No one's theology should be making political decisions for ANYBODY.

I'm in my early 60s now and I grew up watching rights be expanded, not stripped from people. I can't even explain how egregious this is to me. That human rights are up for debate and that theology should dictate our RIGHTS in a country that was FOUNDED on freedom of and from religion?

It's gotta change. People need to get energized like you. Because even if someone is not directly affected right now, once rights are decided based on bullshit theology, these motherfuckers will eventually come for someone you love. They will come after you. None of us can stay silent.

[EnergizedLib]

35. Absolutely

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Whenever anybody says separation of church and state isn’t in the Constitution, I think to myself that while those words verbatim may not appear, the principle is implied.

I’ve heard for two years about freedom, masking, the vaccine, but somehow, that doesn’t apply to now. What about the freedom to practice any religion or not at all? Or to marry and be with whom you want and make your own reproductive choices?

I’m ready to run through a brick wall to put a stop to this.

[iluvtennis]

29. Well said. Welcome to DU @EnergizedLib.

[ancianita]

30. Only theocrats wrongly apply the word "wrongly" to constitutionally decided law.

dictionary.com definition #1:

adjective: not in accordance with what is morally right or good -- as in "wrongly" decided

noun: that which is wrong, or not in accordance with morality, goodness, or truth; evil: -- as in the GOP commits wrongs to the nation

Justice Sonia Sotomayor--"How is your ruling anything but a religious view?"


Welcome to DU.

[EnergizedLib]

36. Exactly

Last edited Sun Jul 17, 2022, 07:58 PM - Edit history (1)

How does anybody even come to the conclusion that Loving was incorrectly decided? Even Barrett, during her confirmation hearing (and we’ve learned they haven’t meant much) felt Loving was correctly decided.

Justice Sotomayor is correct that there is a religious basis in this, as was the Kennedy case and Thomas wanting to overturn Obergefell.

[ancianita]

39. ...

How does anybody? Because they are swayed by flotilla of theocratic amicus curiae.

And because behind the scenes, even SCOTUS justices are swayed by accumulating right wing death threats for years. Then they overturn Roe and get death threats from the left wing. We're not helping our cause by using right wing tactics.

Cruz is persistently brandishing the so-called "legal" narrative.

A DHS memo warns that a broad spectrum of domestic extremists are adopting the narratives surrounding abortion rights, and while violence and vandalism against pro-lifers have been a growing problem for years, now the threats are growing increasingly dangerous from those on the pro-choice side.

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2022/may/extremists-threaten-to-murder-supreme-court-justices-dhs-says-brace-for-violence

[EnergizedLib]

37. What the Founders also said

Jefferson felt the Constitution should be updated every 19 years, even though there hasn’t been an Amendment to it since 1992.

The Constitution has also been updated since the Bill of Rights and the incorporation doctrine said the states must also abide by the Bill of Rights. Since unenumerated rights are protected by the Ninth Amendment, states must respect those, too, and the federal government can’t do wrong in protecting human rights and civil rights like it historically has.

The Founding Fathers also were slave owners, allowed only for rich, white property-owning men to vote and more. The 10th Amendment was ratified as an appeal to get slave states to join the union and also the Electoral College has its basis in slavery and slave states, too, despite slavery being abolished since the 19th Century.

We can appreciate the Founding Fathers, we can thank them for what they did, but we’re not obligated to live how they lived. We owe it to ourselves to make changes to evolve and keep being a better version of ourselves.

[MyMission]

40. Welcome to DU

You'll find many like-minded individuals here.

We share news, laughs, and outrage; we discuss, complain, rejoice, encourage, inspire and support each other as we fight the good fight. Thanks for joining this community.

[brer cat]

41. Great post, EnergizedLib.

Welcome to DU!

[Alwaysna]

42. This SC decision does affect you but you can't see the effects yet.

Use your imagination and imagine what life will look like in the next 25 years without contraceptives and legal & safe abortions.
I'm thinking Mumbai slums and overcrowded cities. There will be orphans whose mother's' were denied life saving abortion and dads can't deal with them. The services for food, housing & education will be cut when it's needed the most because it would bankrupt the system. The military will turn away volunteers. Wages and working conditions will deteriorate due to too much competition. Persons with the misfortune of being born handicapped or becoming handicapped or just old will be left to fend for themselves as social security & medicare/Medicaid will be cut. Crime,brought on by extreme poverty, will be rampant. It feels very much like Germany in the 1930's.

[EnergizedLib]

45. That sounds like a dystopian novel

Well, that certainly sounds very scary, but still preventable.

They haven’t gotten rid of contraceptives yet, but what you described will only happen if we allow it to happen. We can push back. All hope is not lost, even though it won’t be easy.

[Joinfortmill]

43. I hear you. It's scary times. Thank you for getting involved. We all need to do our part.

[kairos12]

46. Righteous post.

[Wild blueberry]

50. Excellent post!

You got to the heart of things: It's none of my business.
Thank you.

[llmart]

51. Best post today!

Great to have you here and looking forward to more of your informative and intellectual thoughts. Thank you for stepping up in any way you can to preserve our democracy and get more Democrats in Congress.

[EnergizedLib]

57. Thanks a lot

Whatever I can do.

One of my state’s senators is up for re-election, but in a red state, he’ll probably win. Nevertheless, if I can get in on his opponent’s campaign, I’ll do it.

[2naSalit]

52. Welcome to DU!

[EnergizedLib]

54. Thank you very much

[SheltieLover]

56. Yw!

I appreciate your sentiments!

[SheltieLover]

53. Welcome to DU!

[EnergizedLib]

55. Thank You

[FakeNoose]

59. Welcome to DU and thanks for your post

If I may make a suggestion, you might enjoy reading Jamie Raskin's book "Unthinkable" that came out earlier this year.

I read it during the winter months and I really enjoyed it. It's hopeful, interesting and informative, despite a few upsetting personal issues that he deals with. (His son committed suicide last year.) It's more of a personal memoir than anything, but Congressman Raskin also outlines his involvement during the impeachment proceedings of 2021.

I'm sure you can find it at your local library, and it's probably available in paperback.


Please continue to share your thoughts with us on DU.

[EnergizedLib]

60. Thank you

Will do, and thanks for the suggestion.

[keithbvadu2]

61. "doesn't affect me" - "wouldn't directly affect me either.'

"doesn't affect me" - "wouldn't directly affect me either.'

First they came for A.
But I wasn't A so... I kept quiet.

Then they came for B,C,D.
But I wasn't B,C,D so I kept quiet.

Then they came for me...

Yes! Rights and situations might not apply to us as individuals but can affect us indirectly.
-------------------------------

Those millions of republicans want an authoritarian gov't but they mistakenly think they will be the few thousand elites actually in charge.

Those millions are useful tools for those who will actually be in charge.

One poster called it a 'new social feudalism age'.
-----------------------
Same/same for those who want our country to be Christian run.

[EnergizedLib]

62. I was mistaken

I never thought right-wing authoritarianism and theocracy could actually make its way into the country, despite what some clamored for. I thought we were way more advanced and civilized than this.

[niyad]

63. Welcome to our DU family.

[EnergizedLib]

64. Thank you

[summer_in_TX]

65. Welcome to DU, EnergizedLib!

Well said! And love your story!

[EnergizedLib]

67. Thank you

I appreciate it.

[JudyM]

66. Beautiful post --

Last edited Mon Jul 18, 2022, 08:53 AM - Edit history (1)

We’re all hanging in there together.
Great that you’re working politics in a red state, we all appreciate that! And thanks for being an ally, that’s so important.

[EnergizedLib]

68. My pleasure

The funny thing, had Roe been upheld, I wouldn’t be volunteering right now, wouldn’t be on this forum.

I am beyond appalled. I’ve gone back-and-forth on this issue through the years, being pro life even while being a proud liberal on almost every other issue.

Now I get it. Now I see why the access and the freedom to choose is important. It’s not about terminating fetuses, or even that I like it. We’ve seen in a matter of weeks just how much of a disaster Dobbs is.

[JudyM]

76. The statement of an intelligent, compassionate open mind. Here's to more like you!

[GoneOffShore]

69. Brilliantly written! And welcome to DU. You give me hope.

[EnergizedLib]

72. Thanks a lot

[Upthevibe]

70. EnergizedLib...

Firstly, welcome to DU....

Secondly, I commend you for paying attention and realizing that not getting involved IS getting involved (by default).

Thank you for making the commitment to now vote blue. I have to believe with everything that's in me there are others like you.

[EnergizedLib]

73. Thank you

I was always going to vote blue - always have, always will. I just now want my involvement beyond voting.

[UpInArms]

71. Wonderfully stated

Welcome to DU, EnergizedLib!

[EnergizedLib]

74. Thank You

[wryter2000]

75. Welcome

Good to have you on board

[Brainfodder]

77. This is all corruption for $.

They are selfish jackasses with no bottom.

Follow the $ and note the propaganda methods.

We are kind of doomed/at the mercy of the media when large groups don't challenge/research/investigate and just use FAITH in sources?

The brain breach some will need may kill them, but that is on them for being gullible/politically ignorant?