Being Pigeon-Holed: There are times when I really don't mind a little pigeon holing, it helps to define who I am and the views that I hold. For instance, I have referenced previously The 2008 Presidential Candidate Selector in which you answer 17 questions about your values. For instance, question 9 tends to be one of the lesser controversial questions:

9. What would be your ideal candidate's position on TRADE ISSUES?
Supports free trade.
Supports fair or protectionist trade policies.
Neither

So you click the one that you want (I left it as generic) and move to the next question. At the end the selector shows you the candidate that has the value system that is closest to yours, as well as those on the opposite end of the spectrum.

The reason that I bring this up is that I have a couple of dear people that I love who don't exactly hold the same political views that I do. But, in evaluating that, it really isn't just political views, it is wrapped up with social, religious, environmental, etc. When it comes to politics it is easy to look at a candidate and know what they stand for (at least for most, some tend to change their positions and that makes it a little more challenging), but I think that it is dangerous to label their supporters the same.

This morning I was reading an excerpt from a blog which pigeon holed me, wrongly I think. It said

It does not make me happy to know that people whose worldview is so narrow, intolerant, exclusive, and hateful are so much better at supporting their ideological soulmates than we on the left, whose values run to diversity, inclusiveness, a place at the table for everyone, human needs before defense contractors’ wish lists.
(Shakesville - warning, much of that blog is offensive to most)

Because I advocate a particular ideology doesn't necessarily make me narrow, intolerant, exclusive, or hateful. But, I will accept some of this.

Narrow: By finding that one candidate has views that I appreciate over another certainly narrows my thinking. There are some issues that I find important and I will vote to ensure that a candidate with those views is in office. But, I would suggest that those on the left (the opposite from my views) are going to do the same. Show me a liberal who supports our troops in Iraq and I will show you a liberal who isn't concerned about re-election (with the possible exception of Joe Lieberman). Where is the liberal who is pro-life? A liberal who supports the sanctity of marriage? Can you show me a liberal who agrees with the Second Amendment and would defend that right? Are these not narrow views?

Intolerant: This one is a personal pet peeve of mine. I am chastised for not being tolerant of others, but receive absolutely no tolerance for my differing views. Why? My views are old (about 2000 years old to be specific). Others can force their views on me, but if I try to share my views I am being intolerant of them. That just doesn't make any sense at all. Why can't I hold a belief that is different without being intolerant? In Iraq I would be killed for taking a Bible to school (if I were still in school), but here we allow our students to carry the Koran (or book of Satan, Book of Mormon, etc.)

Hateful: This is the one that I dislike the most, but also the one that I have to watch in myself. I watch those who scream at my beliefs with such disdain and I feel my blood start to boil. But I happen to have an underlying belief that tells me to love those who hate me. This is a difficult challenge at times.

So, with all that being said, this is who I am (alphabetized):

American: I was born here, but I think that if I were born elsewhere I would want to immigrate here. I am glad to be American.
Capital Punishment: I would love to see a capital punishment system that only executed those who were 100% guilty of murder. In absence of that I would be in favor of life without the chance of parole.
Capitalist: I am so grateful to live in a country that allows me the freedom to own my own business and to make as much profit as I can (although right now it isn't that much!). I think that the free enterprise system is terrific and is better than state controlled businesses. I also believe that a hybrid system (state controlled/private control) would be a better solution to Social Security than what we have going on now.
Christian: I love Jesus, think God is the best thing that ever happened to me. If you believe in Buddah, allah, Krishna, or Moroni, that surely is your choice. My faith tells me that there is one way to heaven, I have chosen that path. To accept that all roads lead to heaven is to say that the Bible is wrong. I have never known it to be wrong.
Constitutionalist. I support the Constitution of the United States of America. I think that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are great documents to guide our country. I don't think that they change, nor do they need reinterpreting, they are what they are.
Environmentalist: I stand apart from many in the right on this issue, but not necessarily as far to the left as some. I think that we have a tremendous responsibility to treat our planet with respect. I would like to see fines for littering triple, fines for illegal dumping go up by 10 fold. I would fine any company that pollutes so that it is impossible for them to consider such practices. I would take all the corn subsidies and pay them to companies developing solar energy solutions. Fair Trade: I think that it is only fair that if we buy $1B from one country that they buy $1B back from us. I think that we need to relook at how we trade with other countries. If it were a game we would be in last place.
Father: One of the greatest joys of my life is raising my four kids.
Husband: Its not for everyone, but I am glad that I am one. My wife is my best friend. Deal with it. I am glad that I have honored Mary with marriage, and made a lifetime commitment to her. I respect those who have chosen a single life, I mourn for those who have experienced the pain of divorce. I rejoice with those in marriage.
Male: Glad to be one, don't disrespect the women. I understand why women need special doctors, health clubs, and clothing stores, and I will stay away from them all.
Pro-Business: I support all efforts to build better businesses in America! But, I also see where unions have done a lot of good for some industries in America, but see also where they have totally destroyed other industries.
Pro-Citizenship: I truly applaud those who have immigrated here and have gone through the process of legal citizenship. I had ancestors somewhere in my past who did this. I think that those who would come here illegally should be sent home. Period.
Pro-Civil Rights: I don't believe that any group of people need to have their rights abused. People of color, race, or creed should not have their rights trampled. I think that men and women in the same career should make the same wage, as it applies to their skills. I don't think that just because a person is of one color or gender that they should receive any special consideration. If their ancestors had their rights trampled, that is a travesty in that particular history. But today, all should be treated the same.
Pro-Education: I think that one of the things that makes our country great is the importance that we place in education. I am also very grateful that I have the choice to put my children in a private school and not one run by the state.
Pro-Life: I believe in the scientific evidence and Biblical support that life begins at conception. When the cells begin to form the process is beginning. Recently a baby was born at 21 weeks and lived. That is four months. I believe that the rights of that innocent baby need to be protected, even from someone who would have him or her killed.
Pro-Peace: I am for peace, and against war. War is a terrible thing! But, I am glad that I live in a country that defends the innocent in other countries, especially when it is exacted upon them by their own leaders.

Well, there you have it in a nutshell. That' s me, or at least part of me. There is a lot more to me than those issues. I love rock music and jazz, photography and movies, coffee and English muffins. But, I will save those things for another time.