My Rebuttals to the Top 4 Arguments Against McMullin

I usually shy away from all political talk because I have no interest in the depressing, all-hope-is-lost, everything-has-gone-wrong-with-our-country attitude that tends to follow most political rants. Here, I will end on a positive note. So don't worry.

I've been thinking for many weeks that I should write about why I'm pro Evan McMullin. I wasn't excited to take the time and effort required to write down all my thoughts but I can't shake the pressing need. I want to get them out of my head.

During the presidential nomination process I had ZERO interest in ANY of the candidates. All buffoons. All dreary. All phony. None of these people made me feel good.

I knew very early on that I wasn't going to vote for any of those people in November. I knew that somehow, a different candidate would enter the race and it would be the person I'd select in the booth. Sure enough, weeks later, my impression came true (as they often do).

Finally! Here is a candidate who isn't extreme in his political and social views (unless you count moderate as extreme, which it seems you can these days) and who reflects my own political and social philosophies. Here is a candidate I can support while holding my head up high. Here is a candidate for whom I don't have to make sorry excuses.

Evan McMullin gives me hope in our system and hope in our country. That is probably the thing I like most about him and his running mate Mindy Finn. They are NOT trying to win power with fear. They are NOT trying to win power with deception. They ARE running a campaign based on America's inalienable rights and moral principles.

Thanks to the phenomenal success of Evan's campaign, conservative (which carries a "moderate" or "middle-of-the-road" definition in the dictionary) Americans now have a voice that can't be ignored, but heard.

Here are my rebuttals to the top 4 arguments against voting for McMullin.

4- He entered too late in the game.

So? So what? The point is that the other candidates aren't living up to Americans' expectations and many of us would feel dirty voting for either one of them. No one else wanted to take a stand, instead cowering.

Evan entered the race as soon as he realized no one else would do it. He followed a perfectly legal and viable course onto the ballet. He acted in order to give us the option to vote our conscience. Thank you, Evan. I will!

3- He doesn't have any leadership experience.

This is such a week argument. Leadership experience has no correlation with leadership skill. Zero. Leaders inspire, guide, are courageous, and set a good example to those they are leading.

How can you call either of the other two candidates leaders? They are divisive, mean-hearted, and most of the population can't even stand listening to them talk. How can you expect them to lead an entire nation successfully?

The traits of true leadership can be innate but more often they are learned and fostered through:

A) Serving alongside and for their fellow man.
B) Having the decency to empathize with and listen to others' concerns and opinions.
C) Being brave enough to stand up for what's right, even in the face of adversity.

2- He's a Mormon.

Sure, but at least he isn't a criminal, a fraud, a liar, or a power-hungry dictator. BOTH of the other two candidates are ALL of those things.

As for the "Utah is only voting for him because he is Mormon" argument? Come on. Give us more credit than that. I promise we would vote for an atheist who conducted himself or herself with dignity, trustworthiness, and compassion over a so-called Christian who does not. We are fully aware that people not of our own religion have high morals and principles. It just happens that the other two candidates running for President DO NOT.

1- He will take away votes from Trump, essentially giving the election to Clinton.

To the most often-used argument against voting for McMullin, I just roll my eyes. (I've rolled my eyes so much this election season that I'm surprised I'm not blind!)

Since when did fear trump faith? Since when did cowardice become the right thing? Since when did voting for a decent and qualified person become wrong?

Yes, I know. You hate Hilary. Blah, blah, blah. Well, I hate clams. Does that mean I should eat oysters instead? No. Both deplorable. I can't stomach either one. In fact, they both make me ill. Since when did one disgusting thing become better than another disgusting thing? Wait. It hasn't.

"But, wait!" you say. "At least Trump promises to elect Republican justices into the Supreme Court."

Great...more far right, extremely polarizing judges that are unwilling to take into consideration the other half of the country. That's not my aspiration for us.

Besides, Trump was a democrat until just a couple of years ago when he decided to exploit your own fears for his benefit. And it's working! What makes you think he will make good decisions for you? He has always and will always continue to look out for his #1. There is absolutely no track record of him doing otherwise.

"But, wait!" you say. "Giving power to Clinton will do much more harm for our country than if power was given to Trump." How do you know this? Has he given you any REAL reason to trust him other than him telling you that you should? No, not even one. You have no idea what that man is capable of doing other than lying and groping and making himself rich and the butt of every joke.


The Result
None of these arguments stand up against thought and scrutiny. The only thing left to stand on is an unrelenting (not unfounded, mind you) hatred for Hilary. But why should your hatred for her nullify an affirmative vote for a presidential candidate with principles and values? The SAME principles values that YOU live by every day. Shouldn't that person be rewarded with your support and not your cold shoulder? It only makes complete sense.

If you truly feel like either Donald Trump or Hilary Clinton is the best person to be the President of the United States, then you should vote for that person. Really. But if you are just voting for someone because of one of these weak arguments, then take some time to think about what you really want for our country. Do you want a short-sighted strategical "fix" or a long-lasting movement toward a more unified democracy?

My goal in voting for Evan is to add my voice, along with millions of others across the country, saying that I am ready for a third party. I am not interested in the views of the extreme left OR the extreme right. I am not interested in letting only big money talk. I am not interested in deciding between two corrupt sides.

What I AM interested in doing is supporting a grassroots campaign that is TRULY needed in this country. One which represents a huge variety of middle-ground views. One that takes the BEST ideas from each party and puts them together in one big, delicious potluck dinner party (oxymoron?). After all, isn't our country a beautiful crockpot of individuals and families? One giant casserole of thoughts and experiences and hopes? Why, yes. YES we are!

It's high time we stood up, proud to be different than our negative stereotypes. We all have so much good in us and we deserve a President who reflects that goodness.

I promise, no matter which major party candidate wins the election (if one does), I won't feel like I've lost. I feel so much satisfaction with the momentum we are gaining. It's a movement I am proud to say I've been excited about from day one. I will continue to be proud in the ensuing years when the long-term positive repercussions of Evan McMullin's stand will be seen and felt.

I'm hopeful we will all remember "that one year" when the two-party system broke down and a third party finally broke barriers. One day soon I will be proud to call that party my own!

Endnote: I've purposefully left religion and God out of this discussion because although I do believe it has a place, I want others to know: (1) That it is not a factor in why I or anyone else should vote for McMullin; (2) I do believe in a separation of Church and State; and (3) I know everyone has different theological beliefs (or non-beliefs) and it doesn't change McMullin's core message of inalienable rights and leading a nation founded on principles.

A Happily-Ever-After Wedding!

It has been a long time since we've had a wedding in the family. We all had such a fun and happy time celebrating together. It was an honor to be a part of my niece's wonderful day! 

 

DIY s'mores were a really fun idea!

Lots of cutesy cupcakes!

Wishing Elizabeth and Justin the Happily Ever After they have earned!

Friends and family can view and download these and more pics here:

http://www.rjsnowphotography.com/Client-Proofs/2016/Liz--Justin

These Little Lights of Mine

***These little lights of mine, I'm gonna let 'em shine!***

That's the song that comes to my mind when I think of these children of ours.

Nate started 5th grade. Here are a few things about him these days:

 

• He loves mountain biking.
• He says, "Oh. I forgot." A LOT. I haven't been able to decipher if he truly does forget or if this is just an easy excuse.
• He's a shorty like his parents. All of his friends are seriously outpacing him in the height department.
• His main goals in life are to learn and to play. Not too shabby.
• He has an advanced sense of humor, totally gets and dishes out sarcasm, and makes us laugh constantly.
• He isn't that big on sleep. He comes out of his room at least three times every night to do something or tell us something that is on his mind. He'd stay up until 11pm easily every night and still wake up at 7am all bright eyed and bushy tailed.
• He is loving the Harry Potter books and movies right now.
• He is completely cool to have around.

 

Madeleine started 3rd grade. Here are a few things about her lately:

• She reminds me so much of Rob, in looks and bubbly personality.
• She hates disappointing anyone. If she does, she will immediately work to make it right.
• She is very rarely grumpy and if she is, it only lasts about 5 minutes before she is happy again.
• She loves to correct others and make sure things are done properly. Except...
• She hates reading and following instructions. It deprives her of her own ideas and creativity.
• She memorizes things quickly.
• She is in drama class and I love hearing her recite lines and stories because she says them with inflection and animation.
• She is a complete joy. 

 

Caroline started Kindergarten. Here are a few things about her lately:

 

• She was blessed by her dad at the beginning of the school year to have courage to make friends. She really has been courageous and has made friends and she reminds me often that it is because her dad blessed her.
• She is hyperflexible and very strong and shows me up with her yoga moves.
• She sings beautifully and with passion all the time at home and in the car.
• She gags and threatens to throw up every night at the dinner table after even just touching the tip of her tongue to her food. It is mostly a learned behavior, I'm sure.
• She loves "treasure hunting" in the toy boxes and trash cans.
• She is still working on her speech sounds R, TH, and SH. She still says HIMS and THEMS instead of HIS and THEIR.
• I'm so glad I kept her home with me the last couple of years instead of sending her to preschool because it gave us the time we needed for our relationship to blossom into something great.
• She makes us all laugh all the time.

***Let 'em shine! Let 'em shine! Let 'em shine!***

Top 21 Greatest Vacation Moments (and Top 6 Worst)

I started this post as a Top 10 list but it quickly got away from me. I topped out at our top 21 greatest vacation moments. Oops. I couldn't help it! I also added a few of our worst moments at the end of the page in order to keep things interesting and not too fluffy.

Ready?

21- Playing at the Pinball Hall of Fame and eating tremendously tasty tacos at Baja Bar & Grill next to UNLV.

20- The shows at SeaWorld. They're basically the same as when I was there 15 years ago but I think it's much more fun to watch your own kids gasp and laugh.

19- The rides at SeaWorld. There are only a few but they are great fun! We got soaked on some and then dried off on the others.

18- Rob and Nate enjoyed the USS Midway. The rest of us? Not so much.

17- Lazy Coronado. This view of Nate was typical. Every tree or other high thing within his view he quickly climbed.

16- The Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery forces you to be humble and grateful and sad.

15- Exploring Point Loma. I've been to San Diego many times but have never seen it from this vantage point.

14- Sharing a flight of flavors at Hammond's Gourmet Ice Cream in San Diego. We scarfed down the 8 flavors without nary a picture so you must realize how good it tasted! Our favorites were coconut strawberry oreo, lime cream, lemon cream, and chocolate.

13- Moseying around Old Town San Diego.

12- Getting an adorable picture of the three girl cousins all dressed up in the skirts and headbands that Madeleine sewed and the bracelets their aunt bought for the occasion.

11- Witnessing humpback whales and dolphins frolicking in the deep blue sea. We took a half-day boat ride to the Channel Islands and superbly enjoyed seeing two whales surface and dive a few times each. We also loved the thousands of common dolphins (and their babies!) that swam alongside the boat most of the trip. Incredible!

10- Speaking of whales...making out with Rob while riding on top of one is definitely one of my favorite vacation moments!

9- Visiting the Old Mission Santa Barbara. The gardens were beautiful and perfectly peaceful.

8- Watching (over and over again!) the looks on these three faces when they tried the yucky wheat grass shots.

7- The Getty Villa in Malibu. The beautiful sculptures of Greek gods and goddesses, the stunning Roman architecture, the delicate tile mosaics, the ancient Egyptian mummy, and many other priceless artifacts, we loved it all. As a bonus, I was so happy that my kids didn't only behave well but embraced and enjoyed it just as much as the grown ups.

6- Playing a competitive game of Dwindle with the whole family. Umm, let's just say the low score trumps, shall we?

5- Yoga with my love with this view.

4- Best. Swinging. Ever. 

3- I'm not a big water person but Rob and I adored watching Madeleine and Nate jump right in and learn how to boogie board. Except for the cold, splashy water part it looked so fun! Also, watching these two girlies cartwheel at the water's edge! ALSO, watching Rob try to surf. It was the best birthday present ever. I couldn't stop laughing! Not only did he have a heck of a time even getting over the breaks but once he did he couldn't even stay sitting on the board. How I wish I had a video of the hilarity!

2- Beaches, beaches, and more beaches. From Carlsbad up to Ventura we visited eight (some of them multiple times). We made it a goal to visit as many beaches as possible and I'd say we did pretty well.

1- Spending time with our wonderful siblings, cousins, and parents, of course! They made this dream trip possible. Many, many thanks to them!

Now for the worst moments.

6- The yucky food at Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego. We came here for the fun ambience but waited over an hour for a seat. After all that, we only half-ate our dinner.

5- Too much sugar! We indulged. It was good. But it was bad. 

4- The aquarium displays at SeaWorld. These were dark, old, sad, and in need of care. I was expecting a lot more for such a renowned place.

3- Trying to find acceptable peeing locations around Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Forget acceptable, even unacceptable would have been accepted!

2- The Cat Cafe. We did this to cheer up the kids who missed their pet. The place smelled. The cats weren't very friendly. Did I mention it smelled?



1- T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E cell service (Sprint), even while in cities. This meant getting driving directions, looking up pertinent destination information, and even listening to music was very limited. This made for some frustrating moments where I was THIS CLOSE to throwing my phone out the window of our moving car and into the salty sea.

But really, I'd be an idiot to complain about anything on our trip. Seriously, you can't ask for much more than time off from work, time exploring new places, and time playing with family. We're very grateful for the opportunity we had to do all of those things together! 

  

Baby in a Basket

Babies are cute but put one in a basket and BAM!!...they're aww-inducing irresistible.

Strange when you think about it. Then again, who cares?! Look at her! Awwww!!

Yep, she's even got hands and feet. That affirms it. My new niece is perfect.

Good cookin', Karen!