That annoying children’s tune, “Baa Baa Black sheep” asks the poor outcast farm animal if he produces any wool. “Yes sir, yes sir,” is the answer, “three bags full.” Of course he produces wool, he’s still a sheep.
Why, yes, me as the black sheep of my family, I still produce wool. As the political outcast of the Abbotts, believe it or not, I too have reasons for my blackness. This blog will just give you a few samples of the finest wool that I produce. And while you’re at it, try this wool on, everybody looks good in black.
First, and of incredible importance to those of us living with fatal genetic diseases, an executive order banning federal funding of stem cell research signed under the previous President will be overturned today. Finally, the government is working on behalf of those with lupus, Parkinson’s, Type I Diabetes, and macular degeneration. Wasn’t it Jesus who said that the lame will walk and the blind will see?
Second, I don’t believe that the wealthiest 1% of Americans should be taxed less than the rest of us. For instance, how is it that Warren Buffett pays a smaller taxation rate than his receptionist?
Third, I believe that gay and lesbian couples have every right to be recognized as a union by the state. They should be allowed to pursue their “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.” I do not think it is the state’s perorgative to dictate morality and pass legislation that effectively bans 10% of the population from their rights as laid out in our Declaration of Independence. In the same breath, I ask for the further separation of church and state. Let the religious bodies define marriage, let the state make civil union a right for all people.
Lastly, I think the death penalty is abhorrent. Under the eighth amendment, the state does not have the right to inflict cruel of unusual punishment. Furthermore, it actually costs more to execute a convict than it does to imprison them for life. The error of margin is much too large in our judicial system. Too many innocent people have been executed unjustly. However, let me make myself clear. This means that we have to have tougher prison policies. We must not let hardened criminals back into society and we cannot let private contractors run our prisons as they do in Texas.
As a final comment, I have come to these political beliefs not because of Barack Obama or because I’m a young idealist. I have come to believe these principles because I am a Christian. After all, it is our God who ate with sinners, touched the outcasts and diseased, and allowed himself to die.
the rev. jimmy abbott 
Hey Jimmy, its Matt (your future brother-in-law). I have enjoyed reading your blog when I get the chance and I commend you on it. Doubtless I don’t agree with everything you write on political issues, I believe I will take this opportunity to engage you in debate over the above posting.First off, I couldn’t agree with you more about the gay and lesbian issue of marriage. However, stay away from using the Declaration of Independence to frame your argument (its not a governing document). Instead, I like to use the 15th Amendment that guarantees “equal protection under the law.” Thus, as soon as a case makes it to the Supreme Court (and who knows when that will be b/c its packed with individuals that don’t want to tackle the issue) then gays and lesbians will be allowed to get married. It is only a matter of time, not a matter of morals. They (and I say “they” only to denote the gay and lesbian population) need only be patient – it WILL happen.I agree with your assertions on stem cell research to an extent. I am in favor of it, as long as it is watched closely by some regulatory institution (preferably not the government).However, I think my biggest contention to your posting is the taxing of the rich. Did you know that the top 3% of the wealthiest families in the U.S. pay 32% of the taxes? I think they get taxed their fair share. If your statement is true about Buffet and his Secretary, it might be a case of the millions he gives away to charities every year (a HUGE tax incentive). Excessively taxing the rich is only going to lead to the rich not trying to make more money; not expand their businesses; not create jobs….see where I’m going with this? Yeah, I admit it, I believe in Reganomics.Anyway, keep up the blog, I enjoy it. Hope you are staying warm and we’ll see you soon.
Matt,Thank you for your comments. I see what you are saying about the Declaration of Independence. Though we cannot look to it as a governing document, I do believe it can help our public lives. In the same way, I believe the Bible can help guide our public lives without being a governing document.I understand your position on Reaganomics, there are some very strong arguments in favor of it. I just have difficulty with some of its human consequences, especially for those who are poor and cannot work their way out. And though the correct answer in somewhere in between, I think our country’s political dialogue needs both of our opinions. Thanks for reading for reading.