I Think it only fair of me to declare myself to you. What I believe. What I stand for. That way you don't have to wonder or guess. Unlike many of today's news reporters, commentators, and other public figures.
To be independent one must be willing to make their own decisions. Also not be afraid to declare one's beliefs publicly to the world even if it's only your opinion against the whole world's opinion. In other words I do not follow lock step with any political party. There are some things I like about most political parties and some things I don't like. I could say there are some things I love about some political parties and hate about some, but that would be a stretch. So I'll just stick with 'like'. Therefore I suppose that makes me a moderate, at least on most subjects. However, you will find over time that I can take a liberal, far left position or a conservative, far right position.
You may or may not be wondering how I became an Independent. I certainly wasn't born that way, so over time because of my life's influences I have grown into one. Let me explain some of those influence's. I was born during what is called the "The Great Depression", the year was 1934. I would like to say right now that in my opinion most of the people on the earth today who use the words, 'great depression', know absolutely nothing about it what is was like. They cannot even in their wildest imaginations, imagine what those times were like. Nor do I believe anyone of us would want to experience another "Great Depression", economic or otherwise. Therefore, comparing today's economic situation to the one that existed then is like comparing (I'll come back to this comparison later).
Let's move on. The influences of my family shaped my political viewpoints. My maternal grandfather and grandmother were both republicans. My paternal grandfather and grandmother were both democrats. Therefore, since I loved and respected each and every one of them, I have an all encompassing viewpoint politically.
Spiritually I am much more focused, since all my grand-parents, also my mother and father were of the Christian faith. More specifically, all were Southern Baptists. Therefore each of them, in their own way, influenced my spiritual life as well. I too am a Southern Baptist Christian and have been since 1944, when I by an act of my own free will, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on Easter Sunday of that year. That is not to say I have not strayed from the straight and narrow in my life, because I freely admit I have. Actually I personally do not know anyone who has not, regardless of what they say. However, I have confessed my sins before GOD and believe he is faithful to forgive me of them.
And Finally, you have to understand something, when us Southern Baptists say finally we really don't mean finally. That's a time in the future for us. I feel confident that if you give this a small amount of serious thought you too will come to a deeper understanding of what we mean when we say FINALLY. So, almost finally there's the influence of 20 years on active duty in the United States Navy. It would take a considerable amount of time to explain that. (Maybe one day I'll come back to this and elaborate on it. Smile Now...sailors are known world-wide for their colorful language.
I sincerely hope that now you know a little more about what influences my thinking, also my motivations and ultimately my Independent Viewpoint.
Like I say on my main web page..."ON THIS WEB SITE I'M A MAJORITY OF ONE!"