Frankly, I am astounded that someone would actually consider my political views, which are so mainstream anyhow, as being relevant to the decision to buy my vitamins. How can my political beliefs be even the slightest bit relevant? Anyhow, it is not as if my beliefs are extreme, but it seems there are some folks who love our constitutional rights only when those who exercise them look like us, think like us, act like us, talk like us, worship like us and believe like us. I am sorry, but that was not what our Founding Fathers had in mind and the strength and beauty of our great country is the freedom that permits our incredible diversity of thought, opinion, belief, etc.
Anyhow, not that my political views are relevant, but just to clear the air; I had been a life-long Republican, until I had the “pleasure” of meeting our former President George W. Bush at a Republican fundraiser. Thereafter, I felt that the Republican Party had become too “political” and it no longer had the best interests of this great country at heart and I chose to change my party affiliation. It was a difficult decision, but I love my country more than any party affiliation and anyhow, I have always voted for candidates and their positions and never just for parties. In any event, it was as a direct result of the policies of our then President Bush that I chose to change my party affiliation and I became an Independent. In short, I am neither Republican nor Democrat, but I find my positions in both or either camp depending on the issue and the candidate.
As far as my support of Senator Harry Reid, I have known Senator Reid for more than a decade and he was instrumental in facilitating the support of my large solar energy project in Nevada when Republicans would not listen and our former president thought it was “interesting, but not practical.” Interestingly enough, when I met Harry Reid I was a Republican and we still became friends nonetheless. Recently, I was glad to provide him some support in his reelection efforts, since he was one of the few who supported my efforts to install solar power, which was not an easy process. He was one of the only individuals who felt my decision to rely on solar energy was “visionary” and not just “eccentric” or “interesting.” He agreed with me that we must end our dependence on foreign oil from countries who hate us and he wholeheartedly supported my decision to install our first solar panels and eventually our enormous solar array. He received some support from me in his campaign, since without him, the solar panels we all think are so wonderful might not have come to pass. For once, I think that constitutes some admirable work by a politician.
In the end, my political positions are what I would call fiscally conservative, but more moderate on the rights of individuals, since government is at its best when it does not invade the private, personal world of our families and when it just leaves us alone to build businesses, create jobs, raise our families and happily and peacefully pursue our lives. I hope this will be the last time my political views are relevant to the decision to buy my vitamins. Interestingly enough, if we look at this from the other perspective, I would never think to deprive someone of my products because they did not agree with me on some political topic. I think that you would agree that no matter what someone’s personal beliefs might be, they should have the right to buy the best vitamins in the world. By the way, imagine if the only medical specialist who could save your life refused to treat you because of your political views…or even better, would you refuse to be treated and have your life saved because of their political views? Just food for thought.
Thanks for listening and we should all give thanks that we live in this great land that allows us so many wonderful freedoms.
Best of health.
Andrew