Enough time has passed since the dust settled after the Presidential elections for me to ponder the crazy events that unfolded.
It seems like it was just yesterday that the primary races were only getting started.
The interesting note for me is that I started blogging around that same time.
A lot has happened to me in that short period of time.
I've become a better writer, a much more rounded conservative and someone who really has a handle on what he believes.
If you were to ask me the one thing you could do to improve your ability to argue for your beliefs it would be to start a blog.
It teaches you a lot about your beliefs and yourself all together.
This March will mark my 2nd year anniversary of blogging.
It all started as a way for me to express my thoughts on politics and life.
Two years is a long time when you are constantly analyzing the issues and questioning what you believe.
Along the way I have learned my perception of conservatism was wrong and have changed my view on a couple issues.
One thing did not change and that is my passion for politics.
I can guarantee that I will always be 100% real, no one will ever speak for me and you can count on my honest to God opinion on everything I discuss.
You are bound to find several articles that disagree with each another.
That is not because I can't make up my mind.
You are literally witnessing my political ideology develop over time.
This last election helped develop my stance more than any other time in my life.
Maybe it was the seriousness of the contest or my constant comparison of the politician's stances on the issues to my own; whatever the case may be it taught me who I am.
Most people turn on the news, maybe listen to a radio show but not me.
I was on the ball at all times, analyzing, reading and watching what the candidates were saying.
I burned myself out by writing so many articles and got to the point I was writing three articles everyday.
That would take a toll on anyone and it also taught me to take a break once and awhile.
Even a political news junkie like myself can have a little too much information.
The biggest realization that I have come to is that the conservative movement is off track.
For the longest time I had it set in my mind what a conservative was supposed to be.
Conservatism in popular culture has started to look a lot like liberalism.
It's about forcing others to abide by your beliefs.
That's not how I see conservatism.
I hold my core beliefs dear to my heart, so does everyone else, conservatism says to let each of us have those ideals and to be free to live according to them.
Life must always be protected, that is why abortion is a fundamental problem in this country and something our founding fathers would never approve of.
Government shouldn't be spending our money, we should.
Taxes should not be overbearing and our pay checks should be ours; all of it.
The political game is a tough one.
The politicians willing to stand firm on something no matter what their party says is bound to lose.
Too conservative, not conservative enough, too liberal; no one is themselves enough.
I want to hear more about the issues and less about your loyalty to your party.
If none of the politicians had a party affiliation it would force people to actually pay attention to what they say and how they vote.
Instead of picking up your parties platform and reading it verbatim why not try having some ideas of your own.
The liberal and the conservative, that's what we have to chose from.
I want the lower-taxes, less-spending, more freedom guy.
I've learned that neither party seems to offer that person anymore.
What I have learned this past election was what I really believe and how important my beliefs are to me.
I don't expect you to agree with me all of the time, hell, debate and productive conversations are the only reason my opinions have developed.
We should have a healthy dose of uncertainty about how we feel.
Some have called me close minded and I think they couldn't be further from the truth.
I take on topics head first and come to my conclusion as I learn all there is to be known.
Once I have taken a stance I reexamine it and make any necessary changes.
I do this all the time, I'm still young, I have plenty of time to figure out how I feel.
I think that's a trait we all should have; the willingness to realize we are more than likely wrong.
I've had a lot of fun complaining on my blog.
It gives me something to look forward to everyday.
I sit down and think until I figure out something to write about, blurt out the first thing that comes to my mind and come back to see what others think about it.
It's not about money, I don't make much on here, I do it for the love of the game.
The passion my fellow conservatives and liberals throw into their movement is inspiring.
I may not agree with you but I sure do enjoy the conservations.
Never write me off because you think I'm a stuffy old conservative.
It's no fun that way, it's much better to have someone to disagree with.
How much fun would it be if we all felt the same way? We'd all be friends but sometimes opposition is much more entertaining.
Maybe this is why the blog has continued to grow.
Maybe there are other people out there fed up with the system.
You may have been fooled by the talking heads about conservatism.
You were told for the past eight years that more spending and more government is conservative.
It's not! Don't get made at me because you're idea of conservatism isn't the same as mine.
I admit that I carry some libertarian views but don't go off thinking I am confused about what conservatism is.
I don't want to redefine conservatism, I just think your definition is wrong.
You may find yourself agreeing with me half the time and the other half not.
That's ok, you're allowed to be wrong we can still be friends.
In all seriousness though I want you to disagree with me.
Let's go, discuss the issues, it's what makes America great.
What have you learned during this past election? Has it changed your idea of what conservatism is? I'd love to hear from you.