Why I am a Mormon Democrat: Claire Forste

I grew up in a household in which my mother had a PhD and worked while my father stayed home. My parents' unconventional relationship helped me to understand the importance of equality in a marriage, as well as the importance of pursuing a higher education. This upbringing encouraged me to support women's rights and gender equality.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I enjoyed knowing that all children of God, men and women, have Jesus Christ as our example. It was comforting me to know that women and men in the church are held to the same standards of worthiness and expected to strive to live as Christ did. Regardless of our gender, God sees our divine potential and has the same plan for us.

I have found my voice within the Democratic party. Unlike many of my peers, I find that the gospel of Jesus Christ and liberal values go hand-in-hand. I believe in equal rights for all people and in the importance of the care of the poor. In doing so, our families will be stronger. I believe that's what Heavenly Father desires of us.

My name is Claire. I'm a Democrat. I'm a Mormon.

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Justin McAffee commented 2016-11-03 10:44:47 -0700
One of few who pay taxes? There are plenty of regressive taxes that wealthier people avoid. Just keeping it real. Oh, my taxes have been used by conservatives to fund wars I didn’t approve of, so I get your point. But that is just the consequences of elections. Our representatives choose what they believe will help society. Preventing the spread of STDs and reducing abortions and unwanted pregnancy saves the tax payers. Sitting back and yammering about personal responsibility won’t accomplish this.

As far as your professional view of the Constitution goes, where did you study law? This debate has already been had out by the experts and the Supreme Court. Funding education is accomplished by Article 1, Section 8. Congress has power to lay and collect taxes for the general welfare.

So we can debate here in comments all day… but suffice it to say that one place to start is in trying to understand the relevant points of view… something I find so few people try to do. I was a conservative most of my life. I dedicated several years of my life to studying politics and found that understanding different perspectives gave me a much greater grasp of politics. That’s what it’s all about… perspectives. And despite the issues I took with yours, I respect your perspective and thank you for sharing it.
J. B. commented 2016-11-03 10:23:42 -0700
I’m going to pick my favorite lobby again. I am one of the few producers assigned to pay taxes, a portion of those taxes go to fund planned parenthood. Never would I consider buying a condom fora woman that is not my wife. Yet, that is one of the purposes of planned parenthood. I don’t have the ability to choose for myself to support that or not. Progressives have made up an origin of debt between me and the woman seeking birth control from planned parenthood. Progressives petition government that I owe this unknown woman a portion of the fruits of my labor. The money goes through the bureaucracy, a fishbowl of condoms is on the front counter, a young woman enters pp, grabs a fist full of condoms to go home and enjoy a recreational activity. I don’t participate in that, so therefore I her nothing. Yet progressives have twisted the functions of government and crated illegal law that says I own her. I can debunk this just based on the law of chastity. But because I pay taxes, I “have a good heart”. If I personally supplied a young lady not my wife a box of condoms by my choice to do so, would I still have a good heart? That is why I am a Mormon, and not a democrat. I’m not a Republican either, just to clarify. By the way, there is no Constitutional power at the federal level to tax for the purpose of funding education, that is solely a state and local issue. Article I, Section 8 and the tenth amendment. Blow the dust off of our copy of the Constitution, and look it up.
Justin McAffee commented 2016-10-10 13:09:50 -0700
Funding education with my taxes is Satan’s plan according to this logic. All laws take away our agency. Give me a break.
Mike Campbell commented 2016-10-10 12:43:14 -0700
If you are a member of the Democratic party, you have PROGRESSIVE views, not liberal views. The word liberal comes from liberty. Liberty is the freedom to act according to ones personal beliefs and best judgement and is rooted in self-determination. The democratic party only adheres to liberal views on racial and LGBT equality, and even that is suspect.

I try my hardest to be Christlike. I believe it is our duty as individuals to reach out to those in need. It is our duty to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to administer relief to the sick and afflicted. But when the government forcibly takes from one person to give to another, that is not charity, it is coercion. Was it God’s plan to take away our agency and force us to do the right thing? Nope. If I remember correctly that was actually Satan’s plan.
J. B. commented 2016-10-06 09:36:59 -0700
Again, taking care of the poor through Government. Yes, that is what Christ desires for us, but through charity from the heart through our freedom to choose for our selves. Christ never demanded charity at the tip of the Roman spear. I’ll go further than that, if you think that charity is a function of government, you are coming from a position of coveting. You are mingling the precepts of me with scripture. I don’t believe I should be taxed for the sake of the needy. It is not a precept of the Gospel, it is not a legitimate function of the government and it is not a basis of a “good heart.”