As I searched through my memory bank of song lyrics (read: my twenty-six page and growing compilation) it occurred to me how many fit with my thoughts about the state of this nation...and my thoughts to those who might be apathetic.
We have 43 days left until 11/04/08.
Hey now, the past is told by those who win, my darling
What matters is what hasn't been
Hey now, we're wide-awake and we're thinking
My darling, believe your voice can mean something
...Futures, Jimmy Eat World
While cynics might say that there is very little difference between the parties, in this case, there is a distinct difference between the candidates.
Suicide's easy, what happened to the revolution?
...Berlin, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
It's silly to think that voting for Obama means a revolution. But it's as close as we've come in over forty years. To vote Democrat this year is to say that we're fed up with the policies of the last eight years--to say that those policies are not working, that our economy is in shambles and our foreign policies are a joke. One small step toward a revolution, perhaps.
We stumble up and down the concrete
Led by distraction, the empty attraction keeps us blind
Never intending for the complete
Like shadows and alleyways, the unknown continues biding time
...Crazy 8s, Mae
How easy it is for us to ignore the current turmoil in our nation. We have a number of distractions--reality television, the advent of football season, contemplating our Halloween costumes. So many shiny, glittery toys, and so why would we bother to spend time thinking about the possibly dreary and dismal future?
Watch what you say, they'll be calling you a radical
A liberal.
Fanatical.
A criminal.
...The Logical Song, Supertramp
Radical. Why does it have such a negative connotation?
"A person who advocates fundamental political, economic, and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods." (dictionary.com)
This country has to change. We're choking ourselves. We're bringing ourselves down from the inside. To stand up and say that it is time for fundamental change, for a deep change that comes from below and rises up into all levels of society, why, that shouldn't be regarded as negative.
I sat and pondered last week as someone prayed about the upcoming election. He prayed that we might be spared, once again, the onslaught of immorality in this country. It's time to remove ourself from the mindset that immorality might mean someone who is pro-choice, or someone who wouldn't sign a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Immorality is the Bush Doctrine (and choosing a VP who is uncertain what that doctrine even means) Immorality is lying to the voters about the economy being in tip-top shape. Immorality is pretending to support sustainability while lining your pockets with oil donations. Be radical. Advocate fundamental change.
Why not try something new, and when the barbarians arrive here at your gate
Treat us not with fear and hate
For we come not to conquer, or be rude
But to raise a glass and say, "Salud!"
...Jack vs Jose, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers
I trust my readers are smart enough to figure this one out.
43 days.
Are you registered to vote?
If you're not currently residing in the state in which you are registered, have you requested your absentee ballot?
Are you tuning into the news--and by news I mean seeking out plenty of stories, not just news from one station?
Are you talking with friends, family, community members about this election?
43 days.
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4 comments:
I had a dream last night that Obama lost to Bill Clinton. I was sad. But I would be a lot more sad if it was McCain. I think I might move to Montreal if McCain wins.
I agree that there is a stark difference between the two candidates. As you read in McLaren's post, the candidates have different mindsets. It's like Obama says, "McCain just doesn't get it." Right now, I feel like it's a fight between good and evil. McCain and Palin talk about fighting evil, but their ways are deceptive and dirty. To see them win that way would be devastating.
How can the crowds cheer for them when they're talking about drilling more oil? They don't explain what their talking about. If someone were to explain the implications of their planned actions, their cheering fans would boo.
Actually, many people do know they want to drill for oil in Alaska's federal lands, along with other actions that you see as evil. They see Obama's political view like you see McCain/Palin's.
I am voting for Obama, holding on to my evangelical religious views. This country isn;t going to change Roe vs. Wade, no matter who is in the White House. I think there much more immediate needs than to vote for a pro-life candidate. I am voting for Obama because our country is in crisis and I believe he has a better grip of what to do to begin turning things around.
"Cause I'm sick of being treated like I have before
Like it's stupid standing for what I'm standing for.
Like this war's really just a different brand of war
Like it doesn't cater to the rich and abandon the poor.
Like they understand you in the back of the jet
When you can't put gas in your tank.
These [jerks] are laughing their way to the bank and cashing the check
Asking you to have compassion and have some respect.
I'm not a big Linkin Park fan, but a friend pointed me towards this song (Hands Held High) and I was impressed. As the election creeps closer, these lyrics keep coming back to mind. The idea of what Iraq may look like after another 4 years of the Bush doctrine is disturbing. While I doubt that Obama can pull a miracle solution out of his wallet o' Change, at least I'll know he isn't beholden to any companies or groups with any conflict of interest (oil companies, Halliburton-type materiél production companies, etc...)
Keep up the good work Kirsten - your blogs are varied in subject, well-spoken (as it were :), and interesting reads! You have a new fan in Baltimore!
Response to Julie:
I knew I was treading in dark waters when I used the words "good and evil". I'm being just like them, I know. But I wasn't referring to them drilling for oil when I said that. I saying that their campaigning methods are evil. It's evil that they are lying, being deceptive.
And, I know that the audience knows they want to drill for oil. They said it explicitly. But the audience doesn't know the effects of drilling for oil, or the effects of having more more-that it will put US and others in direct harms way.
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