I am an Exasperated Voter

Title: Exasperated Voter is Besieged by Offensive Political E-mail

DEAR ABBY,

... e-mails are flying at record speed with "information" about the Democratic or Republican candidates. Can you please explain to me why friends [or family] would just assume that I want to read their forwarded messages? Not once has any of them asked who I'm voting for. They have never even asked which party I belong to.

I believe that politics and religion are personal choices, and I'm extremely offended when I receive these e-mails. I'm asking what would be an appropriate response to these unwanted e-mails. Isn't freedom of choice--without having people ram their opinion down your throat--what has made America great? Thanks for any light on this subject.

Henderson, Nev., Voter

DEAR VOTER,

The individuals who send those offensive e-mails may be hoping to sway your vote with information [or misinformation]. Or they may have you on a mass e-mail list included as a "friend" or "family member". Feeling as you do... Tell the sender that you feel the messages are inappropriate and ask to be removed from that person's list...

I am in the same position as this Voter. Daily I receive political emails, whether about issues that were on the ballots, President Elect Obama, Senator McCain etc..., and I find it very annoying and presumptuous on the behalf of the persons sending them. I said that I find it annoying and presumptions because none of these senders, and there are more than one, have felt the need to ask me where I stand on the issues before they began sending their forwards to clutter my inbox.

Now, I do know that many of the people I have politely asked to remove me from their political forwards read my blog, however, that is their choice. This blog is not something that comes straight to them, so to speak, they have a choice on whether to read my political rhetoric here.

Recently I was talking to my Mom, who introduced me to this particular Dear Abby entry, about some of these said emails. I shared with her that one person in particular sent me another political email even after I had requested to be removed from their list. She again referenced Dear Abby and recommended I send another request. Along with this removal request I stated MY stance on the particular issue as to drive my point home.

Now, please let me state for the record, that on this blog and in my political forward removal requests I make a point in not referencing my husband's political point of view. For you, my blog readers, and the political forwarders, I do not find it necessary information for me to share. For all my readers and forwarders know he may completely disagree or confirm my political convictions wholeheartedly.

With this said, you can assume I was pretty taken aback when my husband showed me this e-mail he received last week after my second request to be removed from this political forwarders list.

Dear David,

Where do you stand on preserving marriage as between one man and one woman? Your wife has send me an email declaring her position. I am just curious where you stand.

... I do not know how she was taught, but I know how you where taught. I would appreciate and answer. I hope that you are a man of integrity- a man who does what is right no matter the cost. I know that you do not like [us], and it has been a great sorrow... but nothing compared to the sorrow we will experience if you stray away from the teachings of the Savior and his prophets.

There a quite a few points in this snippit of e-mail that rubs me the wrong way, but don't worry. I am only going to address a few. First, I have to say that I find it pretty insulting that David has been pulled into something this petty. Second, I have to say that I don't appreciate the thought that if he does agree with me that he would be straying away from The Savior.

I am not going to give scripture to support my beliefs because I do not find this an appropriate forum. I know that my political views are frowned upon by many, especially those that are members of our Church. However, I find it insulting to think that just because I do not hold the same Conservative ideals as the majority that I, or my husband (should he agree with me), would not be following the teachings of the Savior.

This recent email has caused me to wonder what people may have thought of James E. Faust. Faust was Second Counselor in my Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1995 until his death, and LDS Church apostle for 29 years, and a general authority of the Church for 35 years. Faust, together with President Hinkley and First Counselor Thomas S. Monson (our current Prophet), constituted the longest continuous First Presidency without a personnel change in the history of the LDS Church. I wonder what people may have though of him because he was a Democrat, too. Second Counselor Faust served in the House of Representatives for the 28th Utah State Legislature as a Democrat for Utah's eighth district. Faust also served as a chair person of the Utah State Democratic Party.

So, to wrap up, this Exasperated Voter agrees with another when she said, "Mormon is not synonymous with Republican. You can be and upstanding member or the Church and be a democrat." So from now on should any of you have a problem with my political positions feel free to e-mail me. Although, you may CC David if you wish.

My blessing today is America. I love (almost) everything about it! I am blessed to live in the land of opportunity. I have had the opportunity to live and vacation abroad and I am always eager to come "home". I am thankful for my freedoms and for the reassurance that David and my children will also grow up free. This is a luxury that I think we as Americans take advantage of and forget that not everyone is as blessed as us.