Today marks one year until the Presidential Elections of 2008.
A lot can change in a year. What we see today, which according to the polls would be a Clinton vs Giuliani matchup, might be completely outside the realm of possibility in a few months (at least, one can hope).
Now, this isn't a political blog, at least not in the traditional sense. I don't like to write about particular candidates and I'm not interested in lauding the platforms of certain parties. I don't want to start a debate about who we should be backing in the upcoming elections and why. But politics is definitely on my mind today.
Amanda and I, who are often at opposite ends of the political spectrum (probably the one area in her life that I had no influence, alas alas) had a lovely discussion this morning in which we both realized that, more so than our differences, we are united in our desire to see this country united once again. We don't want to back candidates that will continue to foster the divide in this nation.
Emily sent me a link to the ONE Campaign's On The Record petition. The goal of this petition is to encourage the candidates to go on the record with statements about where they stand on global poverty, particularly in regards to epidemics like AIDS, widespread endemic disease such as TB, access to clean water, and universal primary education.
And gristmill posted an entry on voter priorities which depressed me a bit. No surprise there--the Iraq war takes precedence over all other issues, with health care following close behind. But what did surprise me, just a few weeks after Al Gore won the Nobel Prize for his work on educating the public on the current and impending issues surrounding global climate change, is that the environment didn't rank in the top six for Dems, Repubs or Indies.
I know that to some people it is important to pick a candidate, right now, and to stand solidly behind him/her. I'm not so much interested in that...I want to know what your issues are. Are you ready to unite the country? Are you looking for a candidate who wants to look beyond our borders and help heal the world? Do you want someone who is as green as can be?
I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that I'm a green internationalist. I firmly believe that green policies can be worked into any plans or policies that we create. I also think that we'll never be able to take care of our domestic issues if we do not put foreign policy at the top of our priority list.
----------------
Now playing: The Early November - Something That Produces Results
via FoxyTunes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
You're a green internationalist? I haven't heard of that before, but I think I'll google it and read more about it.
Being a Republican, I'm wondering if my party if beyond repair. It's become so splintered. I am more of a Reagan Republican...not a Pat Robertson Republican. Maybe there needs to be a break-off to form a new more ultra-conservative party.
yes, yes. green as can be is a top priority to me. It seems like no one is trying hard enough to make healthy decisions for our natural environment and global community. It seems like greed for power and money tops everything right now. If only the gov't could implement intelligent foreign policy. It is important to me that the U.S. gov't lifts the pressure that it is putting on poorer countries. I want a president who will treat the immigration issue differently. There needs to be someone in leadership who is compassionate towards the immigrants from Latin America and will think of a "win-win" solution.
I understand where you are coming from. Unity is a huge deal for me. I long for our country to return to it's roots. But I think that I've romanticized government for a long time and may be too hopeful for the future. I also think that we can make green part of any policy. Jeff and I would love to have a solar powered home and an electric car, but right now those things are so expensive. It drives me crazy how much money it costs to eat and live the healthiest possible way. ARG!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment