Let’s get a few things straight here… Far too many people out there take the binary approach of “you’re either one or another” when it comes to the social or political spectrum. Since I’m not a left wing “progressive” buffoon, then I’m obviously a Republican spokesman jumping up and down preaching anti-abortion, war and God, right?

Wrong.

To be certain, if you adhere to the linear “right-left” political scale I am far to the right of the political spectrum. But oh, don’t you dare go calling me a Republican, because I’m no more Republican than I am Democrat. The funny thing, though, is that those little political quizzes put me in the middle – ironic since I am certainly no moderate. But I guess that just means that there’s no place for a somebody who loves real freedom in the modern-day political spectrum.

So how does one adequately define me?

• I couldn’t care less about social issues. Gay and want to marry? Go ahead. Want an abortion? I’m not going to stop you. I have my own beliefs on social issues, but you’re free to do what you want. Government and politics don’t belong there.
• I firmly believe in laissez-faire free market capitalism.
• I believe that taxes are necessary for infrastructure, defense and public safety. Beyond that, I don’t believe that I owe anybody anything.
• I am not especially religious, but I can assure you that I’m probably more spiritual than you are… Not that I care either.
• I believe in a doctrine of doing no harm unless necessary.
• I own guns, not because I’m some sort of nut, but because I enjoy shooting for sport.
• I am a Veteran who doesn’t believe in interventionism or state building abroad.

I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I advocate for only the essential government services (somewhere between libertarianism and anarchism) ans scoff at the idea that we are all a bunch of children who can’t survive without the “benevolent” hand of government to coddle us. I firmly believe that the only way to truly live happy is to live in freedom. It’s really all I ask. I want to live quietly without an oppressive or nannying government monkey on my back.

I am a veteran, yes, and a gun owner, yet I believe in a strict doctrine of doing absolutely no harm unless absolutely necessary. If I can help it, I don’t kill animals on purpose or by accident - however, I wouldn’t hesitate to do so if I were hungry and in need. But don’t think that makes me weak or passive, because I wouldn’t think twice to kill a person if my life or family were in danger. I think that comes from being in the military, but whatever. Either way, I’d probably think long and hard before thinking it’s a good idea to break into my home or threaten me.

Finally, let me make something abundantly clear. I am a peaceful and relatively happy individual. I vent and bitch here because, well, if I didn’t do it I probably would be an angry, bitter man. I enjoy sunshine, working on my hotrod and smoking cigars in my den. There are very few things that drive me to anger – and it just so happens that those things are surrounding my life lately, so in turn I’m going to let it all out right here.

Got it?

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Story Time:

An old rancher is talking about politics with a young man from the city. He compares the average politician to a “post turtle.” The young man doesn’t understand and asks him what a post turtle is.

The old man says, “When you’re driving down a country road and you see a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle. You know he didn’t get up there by himself. He doesn’t belong there; he can’t get anything done while he’s up there; and you just want to help the poor, dumb thing down.”