A Conservative Artist in a Liberal World

Brick Walls

2009-10-15T15:36:00.001-07:00

Ever feel like you're talking to a brick wall?

Welcome to my life.

Word of advice, liberal don't like to listen, they always think you're wrong and talking to them can be like talking to a wall. A giant red brick wall.

Let me explain. I've tried lately (in an attempt to hold onto some sanity) to keep my mouth shut and observe. And, I know I've talked about this before. It doesn't work. I mentioned something about my husband having some pain in his teeth (we've been looking into dental insurance, but we're students and without a lot of money) and he said he was about to knock it out. My friend then makes it political by saying "You would rather he knock out his own tooth than have socialized health care."
I think my reaction was looking at him blankly and saying, "Yes."

My friends of course couldn't believe I was saying this. But, I've told them a million times before (and spoken about it in the post "Health Care") about my Indian Health insurance and how bad it is. Waiting in long lines, not being guaranteed a visit, not being covered when I go to the emergency room because I didn't tell them ahead of time, ect. ect.. But their answer is always the same, "Its different." Well, no its not. You see, the tribe's health care is a mini version of what Obama wants to do. When I told him this, his answer was, "Other countries have it."

Other countries like Canada? Britain? Because, they have some of the worst health care in the world. People die in waiting lines in Britain and Canadians come to the U.S. to get seen by a doctor because the wait is shorter. But that doesn't matter. Europeans have crappy health care, so we have to have it to! Never mind no one has actually read the entire health care bill, and most of America is happy with their health insurance... That doesn't matter. Obama wants it, so he shall have it.

Where has the faith gone?

2009-09-26T15:25:00.001-07:00

I'm getting back into the flow of school, which means getting back into the flow of being around liberals. Everyday I ask myself, where has the faith gone? Up until the 19th century, fine artists tended to be Christians and painted mostly Christian art. Then they started to think they were philosophers and not artists. Uhg.

I was standing in the undergraduate studios and having little conversations with people following a visiting artist lecture (don't even get me started on those...). My husband was talking with this other guy, we'll call him Beard. Tohny was telling him that one of his text books was basically a giant guide of the obvious. Then Beard said, "Oh if you want to read something boring and obvious, read the Bible!"

... what? So, in disbelief, I said, "What did you say?" And again he repeats himself and all I could find myself saying is, whatever. I had to say that or I think I would have gone insane, and probably said something I should not have said. I needed to leave the room after that so, I walked down the hall to one of the graduate studios where a couple of my friends were talking with one of our grad-student teachers. We chatted for a while, exchanging laughs about the visiting artist. Then we started talking about vegetarians who wear leather and eat fish (mostly because we know people like that). And the grad student says, "Oh yeah the ones who eat fish are Christian vegetarians." ...what?

Um, not quite right. His explanation was that "the Bible tells them to." I said, "Why is everyone knocking the bible today? Are you guys just trying to tick me off?" Okay, probably not the best reaction but, by then I was in complete disbelief.

Since then I've just been wondering where the consideration, where the faith is in people? Christianity is a big part of who I am. The Bible is sacred and I have more faith in God's grace than anything else in the world. Why can't people respect that? If you don't believe the same as me, I have no problem with it, because it isn't my problem! Your salvation is not my business, my salvation is. But I wouldn't make fun of some one else's religion because it is not my own. I know what its like to have faith in something and I would never disrespect some one in that manner. I wish these liberals I know, would do the same.

Should I change my name to Vinny?

2009-08-07T00:40:00.001-07:00

I hadn't realized I joined a mob until the kind people from the DNC pointed it out to me. How nice of them.

Seriously, all I can do when I see that ad is laugh:

I thought when I had first watched it, that it was a joke. Then, it quickly became apparent that they were actually serious. A mob. HAHA. Mob. Ohhh, geeze. Sometimes the liberals are so ridiculous its just laughable. They are really the drama queens of politics. I mean, don't get me wrong, conservatives have their moments but, not nearly as many as the Libs.

But, I think what is really funny is that the three clips they used in this video didn't even display any evidence of an angry mod. One was a woman, alone, speaking in front of some sort of committee. Another was a group of what I assume are Tea Party protesters, crossing the street. How dare they. And the rest were pretty much just some pictures of protesters holding signs. Except for the guy with the effigy, he's a dummy. I didn't like the effigy of Sarah Palin and I don't like the one of whoever that was.

But in any case, really not that bad of stuff. Actually, pretty peaceful protesters.
So, I think I'll hold off on changing my name to Vinny or Frankie or Mickey (especially since I'm a girl) for the moment...

This has nothing to do with the art world but...

2009-07-29T21:40:00.000-07:00

How awesome is Michelle Malkin?

Health Care

2009-07-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

My grandma is enrolled in the Colville Confederated Tribe, making me a descendant. When I was little (not so anymore) I was able to get Indian Health Insurance because of it. The coverage went from awesome to just really crappy.

When I was first on the Indian Health I could go to any doctor I wanted to, get my medicine from anywhere I wanted and even go to the emergency room if need be and it was FREE. Completely free. Which was WONDERFUL. If memory serves, they even covered a little bit of dental. This luxury of our little universal health care lasted for a few years. But, it started to get crappier and crappier.

I have asthma and so I frequently get new inhalers. I've been on the same inhaler since 5th grade. Eventually I wasn't able to get my inhaler and other medicines from the pharmacy I wanted. I instead had to go to the Indian Health's pharmacy. I hated it when they switched because I wasn't able to get the same brand of inhaler anymore and Indian Health kept switching the generic brand they carried. Its also a hassle to even get my medicine. I get questioned a lot and I have to go to the doctor every five minutes to get a new prescription.

So, in short, this wonderful universal health care that started out so great has evolved into a system with a lot of restrictions and waiting periods. You're no longer able to get Indian Health Insurance if you're a descendant. They're not taking anyone new except for elders and the enrolled. They don't cover emergency visits anymore either. I actually had to make a trip to the emergency room a few months back because I lost my inhaler and the pharmacy wouldn't fill a new prescription until I went to the doctor again. Well, wouldn't you know that I would have an asthma attack and feel like I couldn't breathe before I could get to a doctor? So, I went to the emergency room, billed Indian Health and got a letter a couple months later that basically said I wasn't covered because I didn't tell them in advance I would be going to the emergency room. Chew on that for a while.

I can't get my medicine at school if I want it for free. I have to send Indian Health my prescription and then either make the 4 1/2 hour trip home to pick it up or have my parent's get it and send it to me and wait for a few days for it to come in the mail. The pharmacy is open odd hours and soon I'll have to go to their doctor, instead of my own, to even get my medicine.

When I was talking with one of my friends about knowing first hand that universal health care doesn't work and the money runs out, she told me I was wrong. It was different because it was Indian run (which is a little offensive by the way. We're not all fat and lazy drunks, you know). Wrong answer. Our Indian Health insurance is extremely similar to what Obama wants to do, if not the same. And the same government that runs the Indian Health, will be running Obama's, our Federal Government!

I love to argue.

2009-07-25T01:44:00.000-07:00

I really do, if I'm being honest. I don't want to love it, but I do. And I'm talking about an actual intelligent conversation, like a debate, not just screaming at some one. While screaming at some one can feel pretty dang good, if they deserve it, I always regret it later on. I like to argue with people who disagree with me on issues. I also like to be right. :)

But, there are times where I just HAVE to keep my mouth shut. Tight. Its extremely hard, but in all the years I've been alive, I've finally learned something. Picking and choosing your battles can keep you from having a heart attack and loosing a bunch of friends. For example:

I was in my painting class this last semester which was mostly populated by feminists. Which I have to say, there isn't anything wrong with being a feminist in principal. Us women should stick together look out for each other. But only if you're liberal and have liberal ideals right? Otherwise you can shove it.

So, as I was saying, my class was mostly feminists. I was outnumbered 3 to 1 and most of the time I never wanted to argue. I just wanted to paint. It got to the point that I started to take my class time in my studio which was a few floors down to get away from all the Christian, Republican, Conservative and Palin bashing talk. I remember one day, one of my friends said something to the effect that if McCain hadn't chose Palin as his running mate, she would have considered voting for him. Here I am thinking that was the only reason why I voted for him at all. The other two women in my class then started a bashing session of Sarah Palin and followers alike.

I was kicking myself in the butt for forgetting my headphones that day...

I chose not to say anything because I knew the instant I did, I would be pounced on. Kind of like that scene in Mean Girls but not so literal. I figured that between the pros and cons of saying something, that maybe keeping quiet was a good idea.

But, you know what? I regret that. I really wish I would have said something. I wish I would have said that Sarah Palin is an amazing woman who stands firm in her beliefs and there is nothing wrong with that. She graduated from a University (the one next to mine actually) with the same standard of education that we are currently getting, which means she is NOT a stupid woman. She has also done wonders for the state of Alaska and even though she's chosen to quit as governor, by doing so she'll save Alaskans tons of tax money. I also wish I would have said that if they're such great feminists then they should be happy for Sarah Palin because she made history as the first woman to ever be a vice president nominee in the Republican party.

But, I have a feeling there will be plenty more opportunities to say something like that in the future...

First story

2009-07-24T03:28:00.000-07:00

Since I'm not going to have any good stories to share for a while (I'm currently on summer vacation and taking refuge with my Christian Conservative parents and brother) I'm going to share the story from the day Obama was elected.

I sat in front of my computer all election night, hoping for some sort of miracle. In the back of my mind, I knew that McCain really didn't have a chance. I mean, come on, a monkey could have run his campaign better than he did. I think if it weren't for Sarah Palin, I wouldn't have even bothered voting..

As I was saying, I was sitting in front of the computer and when McCain lost a key state, I have to say, my initial reaction was, SHIT. And I hardly ever swear but I think in this instance, it was an understandable use of the word. I knew the next day was going to be really, really bad for me. I'd been talking with my friends about the election and they knew what I was denying for weeks. And, believe me, they were not shy about rubbing it in my face.

So, I walked into the art building the next day, bombarded with people in Obama shirts. OBAMA SHIRTS! I was wondering at that moment when I had left the United States and gone to North Korea.

I swore to myself that morning that I wouldn't say a word. I'd just keep my mouth shut and it would pass. Then I realized I'd have to keep my mouth shut for weeks, which with me is near impossible. But I was going to try at any rate.

I walked into my painting class and sat down. One of my friends was wearing a Rock the Vote shirt (which is a stupid idea by the way, that whole Rock the Vote business)and the other was noticeably happy. They said to one another how excited they were. Which is completely understandable! Their guy had basically won, I'm sure if McCain had won, I would have been the same way. But, I just had to open my mouth. So I said,

"Well technically he hasn't won yet.."

Good job Kayla. You were in the shadows and then you shine a giant beacon on your face which might as well as had a giant bulls eye on it. My friends then proceed to gloat and laugh and generally make fun of me. Which, fine, I understand. It isn't pleasant but I get it.

This part gets a little fuzzy. Somehow in the "light heartedness" of the conversation we started to discuss actual issues like health care. I have a gigantic problem with nationalizing health care because I know first hand from being on Tribal health care, that is is a crappy system, for lack of a better term. My friend then asks me,

"If you knew some one with cancer you wouldn't help them??"

I said, "Of course I would if I had the means! But I do not need the government telling me what to give to whom and take money away from me to give to people who haven't earned it! What Obama wants to do is a socialist ideal!"

She then tells me that I'm wrong and its not socialist! I said, excuse me? Do you know what socialism is? Its a Robin Hood way of running things but instead of a cute guy in tights taking money from mean rich people and giving it to hard working poor people, its the federal government taking money from you and me and giving it to people who don't even have jobs!

So then we get on the subject of the fluctuation of the parties in power. History has shown that our government is a teeter totter and power is shifted from the left to right and vise versa. I explained to her that when Obama's term is up, it will most likely be a conservative voted in.

She then tells me no, that's never going to happen. The conservative party is dead and the liberals will be in power forever. I had to stop and think for a second, pondering if she was joking. I mean, they don't even understand how basic politics work and they're attacking me because of my conservative values! I couldn't believe it.

The worst part is that you could throw facts in a liberal's face all day long and they'll still deny the truth of their own party. Amazing.

P.S. I'm still friends with both of these people. They're really great people and good friends and I think after this discussion, we mutually decided that we can't talk about politics anymore! So we talk about things like Top Model and Project Runway instead, which is fine by me. :)

I couldn't take it anymore!

2009-07-24T03:20:00.001-07:00

I had to start this blog. BUT I want to make something as clear as I possibly can.

I am a Christian Conservative artist who lives in a very liberal world. Most of my friends are liberal, in fact I don't think I have a friend in the world who agrees with me on anything and that is FINE. I do find my situation funny and ironic at times and I felt like sharing it with readers so I'll do my best to update as much as I can.

I'll mainly talk about the encounters I have with fellow classmates and fellow artists (I'll try my best never to name names!) and my general opinion on the direction our country is headed.

I think Conservatives have been getting stomped all over (Christians too for that matter)and its time that we stand up and say that our difference of opinion does NOT make us bad people.