I have never been prouder to be a citizen of the United States.
I can't remember the last time I said I was proud to be of this country.
But tonight I am proud. I am able to stand up and say yes, this is my home, and I am proud of its leaders and proud of its citizens.
I spent the evening with friends both present and not. While chatting with those near I was facebooking, messaging and texting those far away. We were united in a common cause: seeing this historical event unfold, and cheering as the states turned blue. Pennsylvania. OHio. VIRGINIA. And then, at 8:01pm on the west coast, it happened: Barack Obama was declared the next president of the United States.
I was astounded. How had it happened so quickly? I truly felt shocked. could it really be that something I had hoped for so long had really come true? But do not worry, that passed quickly to elation.
President-Elect Obama took the stage at midnight east coast time, and tears came to my eyes. We finally have a leader whom I can call a president. He is gracious, he is humble, he is eloquent and charismatic and deferential and above all intelligent. I am overjoyed that he won. His campaign brought new life to the civic process in the United States, and I hope that his presidency will fulfill at least some of our hopes.
Showing posts with label election 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label election 2008. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
I act as one, but I'm not alone
I voted.
Sort of.
I hope.
This being Louisiana, having registered well more than a month before the election, they were still unable to put my name on the list of registered voters. However, I waved around my registration card (unofficial, it's a postcard telling me a registration card will be coming)and noted all the signs saying that I needed only that and a picture ID--or, without that, just to answer a few questions. It was my semi-Louisianan citizen right to vote and I was determined to exercise it.
I awoke before 5:30 this morning. The excitement of voting in this election that I have followed passionately for the past year meant I had only slept lightly, and the noise of cars on the street, so unusual for a late sleeping city, startled me upright, thinking I had missed an alarm. Shrugging into my jeans and One Million Strong shirt (appropriately covered as to not be arrested at the polls), I headed outside to drive to my voting station. However, once outside, I found a strange phenomenon--people driving in reverse down my street, people struggling for parking spots, people on the sidewalk across from my house. Yes, a polling station right across the street. Huh? However, multiple websites had told me to drive downtown and go to Drew Elementary, and would the Obama site really guide me wrong? So off I went--to find a line wrapped around the block.
Seeing as I was still confused at the polling place across the street, I was not about to stand in said line without confirming my ward and district--and without coffee. So home I went, and headed out again at 8am, fortified with cleanliness and caffeine. No line! I headed to the 9/14 table and presented my postcard, "Your mail voter registration application form has been received." And...my name is not on file. I couldn't vote electronically. I couldn't use a full ballot. I was given two provisional paper ballots, one for President and Senate, one for Congress. While these are the issues about which I know the most, I was still a bit upset to not be allowed to vote on each issue. In addition, I had no privacy--anyone sitting at the table, anyone behind me could see exactly what I checked.
Before I left, they tore off the tops of my envelopes and pointed out the number I could call next week to find out if my vote has been counted. At this point, I don't think I want to know. In my mind, I voted.
Now comes the wait and the watch, the close monitoring of political sites. Tonight I am claiming a seat on Em's couch to watch the results, computer close by, texting machine in hand. Although the polls all seem to be in agreement, I refuse to count on this. I want to see it for myself.
----------------
Now playing: Copeland - Should You Return
via FoxyTunes
Sort of.
I hope.
This being Louisiana, having registered well more than a month before the election, they were still unable to put my name on the list of registered voters. However, I waved around my registration card (unofficial, it's a postcard telling me a registration card will be coming)and noted all the signs saying that I needed only that and a picture ID--or, without that, just to answer a few questions. It was my semi-Louisianan citizen right to vote and I was determined to exercise it.
I awoke before 5:30 this morning. The excitement of voting in this election that I have followed passionately for the past year meant I had only slept lightly, and the noise of cars on the street, so unusual for a late sleeping city, startled me upright, thinking I had missed an alarm. Shrugging into my jeans and One Million Strong shirt (appropriately covered as to not be arrested at the polls), I headed outside to drive to my voting station. However, once outside, I found a strange phenomenon--people driving in reverse down my street, people struggling for parking spots, people on the sidewalk across from my house. Yes, a polling station right across the street. Huh? However, multiple websites had told me to drive downtown and go to Drew Elementary, and would the Obama site really guide me wrong? So off I went--to find a line wrapped around the block.
Seeing as I was still confused at the polling place across the street, I was not about to stand in said line without confirming my ward and district--and without coffee. So home I went, and headed out again at 8am, fortified with cleanliness and caffeine. No line! I headed to the 9/14 table and presented my postcard, "Your mail voter registration application form has been received." And...my name is not on file. I couldn't vote electronically. I couldn't use a full ballot. I was given two provisional paper ballots, one for President and Senate, one for Congress. While these are the issues about which I know the most, I was still a bit upset to not be allowed to vote on each issue. In addition, I had no privacy--anyone sitting at the table, anyone behind me could see exactly what I checked.
Before I left, they tore off the tops of my envelopes and pointed out the number I could call next week to find out if my vote has been counted. At this point, I don't think I want to know. In my mind, I voted.
Now comes the wait and the watch, the close monitoring of political sites. Tonight I am claiming a seat on Em's couch to watch the results, computer close by, texting machine in hand. Although the polls all seem to be in agreement, I refuse to count on this. I want to see it for myself.
----------------
Now playing: Copeland - Should You Return
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I see the sun settin' over America
There is no sense and no sanity in objecting to the desecration of the flag while tolerating and justifying and encouraging as a daily business the desecration of the country for which it stands
..."Waste," Wendell Berry, 1989
We've just a little over a month until the election--an election that is, arguably, one of the most pivotal this nation has faced.
The quote above is included in an anthology of essays by Wendell Barry, a noted agroecologist (albeit before the term was coined). To me, it sums up some of the imbalances and overreactions we see during the campaign season. Why is it that we get worked up over a flag pin rather than noting the true offenses being made within this country?
I'm not a huge patriot. Yet this quote resonates. Why are we focused on the tiniest details rather than that which impacts us the most? Our nation is sending out a horrible reflection right now. Most of the world sees us as incompetent, lazy, childish and unwilling to compromise. Our economy is racing against itself to hit rock bottom. We're refusing to surrender our pride or our desire for "stuff" in order to create a more sustainable future.
In the midst of all this, we have a woman running for vice-president who has never been involved in high-level foreign policy meetings, who cannot name more than one Supreme Court case, who can't even name a newspaper she reads--she is on the ballot as the person who will step up if the president dies while in office.
This is not a joke. This is not a time to play politics. We are desecrating our nation with this absurdity. Sarah Palin is not fit to lead. John McCain knows it. Anyone within the political arena knows it. Everyone reading the news knows it. I'm fairly sure even Ms Palin knows it.
The United States is in crisis, economic, environmental, foreign affairs, and more. Why are we wasting our time ferreting out the inadequacies of our potential leaders rather than standing up and finding the solutions?
..."Waste," Wendell Berry, 1989
We've just a little over a month until the election--an election that is, arguably, one of the most pivotal this nation has faced.
The quote above is included in an anthology of essays by Wendell Barry, a noted agroecologist (albeit before the term was coined). To me, it sums up some of the imbalances and overreactions we see during the campaign season. Why is it that we get worked up over a flag pin rather than noting the true offenses being made within this country?
I'm not a huge patriot. Yet this quote resonates. Why are we focused on the tiniest details rather than that which impacts us the most? Our nation is sending out a horrible reflection right now. Most of the world sees us as incompetent, lazy, childish and unwilling to compromise. Our economy is racing against itself to hit rock bottom. We're refusing to surrender our pride or our desire for "stuff" in order to create a more sustainable future.
In the midst of all this, we have a woman running for vice-president who has never been involved in high-level foreign policy meetings, who cannot name more than one Supreme Court case, who can't even name a newspaper she reads--she is on the ballot as the person who will step up if the president dies while in office.
This is not a joke. This is not a time to play politics. We are desecrating our nation with this absurdity. Sarah Palin is not fit to lead. John McCain knows it. Anyone within the political arena knows it. Everyone reading the news knows it. I'm fairly sure even Ms Palin knows it.
The United States is in crisis, economic, environmental, foreign affairs, and more. Why are we wasting our time ferreting out the inadequacies of our potential leaders rather than standing up and finding the solutions?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
I act as one, but I'm not alone
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I hope for better in November
Historic.
Change.
Unity.
Hope.
Does it really matter who your candidate of choice is at this moment? Can we not all agree that this, Obama's cinching of the nomination last night, set an historic precedent?
This campaign has been incredible. The energy, the optimism, the integrity that is shown by Obama amazes me--and the excitement of his supporters is contagious. This is truly something different in United States politics. People are standing up and saying that they are tired of the way this country has been run. They're saying they're tired of an endless war fought for false pretenses, they're tired of the gap between the wealthy and the poor, they're tired of the shameful state of education and they're tired of being sick and not being able to afford a visit to the doctor.
Tired. Fed up. Frustrated.
And so they stood up and said that it's time for change. It's time to vote for hope. It's time to try something different and see where it leads us.
----------------
Now playing: Limbeck - Long Way To Go
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, May 22, 2008
watching my corn pop up in rows
The "maverick" is touting his disagreements with Washington establishment again. At least, that is what neo-cons and his campaign would like anyone watching the progress of the Farm Bill to believe. They are touting the fact that Obama is for the Farm Bill (never mind that he didn't actually vote) and that McCain is against it--so Obama is upholding the subsidies given to wealthy farmers and McCain is stepping in to prevent pork-barrel politics.
Now, if US citizens actually paid attention to the FB--which they should, considering it is a $370 billion package that encompasses everything from food production to prices to international aid to environmental conservation--they would not fall for the likes of David Brooks when he writes in the NYT that Obama is the one serving special interest groups.
First, let's break down this bill. According to CNN.com, $300 billion of the bill goes toward nutrition programs. $40 billion is for subsidies. And $30 billion is for environmental conservation. In no universe (save maybe those entrepreneurs minimally involved in farming who make nearly $1M and receive subsidies) is this bill a quality bill. It does nothing to change the industrial mindset of agriculture in this country. The conservation measures, although authorized in funding, will likely not receive the actual funds.
But to call McCain a maverick for voting against is to obscure truth about his motives. The primary problem with the FB is that--as Bush noted as he vetoed the bill--it hampers US farmers' access to foreign markets. McCain, above almost anything else, is an economic liberal who believes that markets should stay open and free at any expense. When the US subsidizes its farmers, it creates limitations in global trade. International law does not allow for subsidized agriculture to be traded freely.
For those who don't understand why unrestrained free trade in agriculture actually creates hunger rather than alleviates it, take the example of Mexico. Because of NAFTA, US farmers sell their corn in Mexico. However, due to the low cost of production of corn in the US, corn from here sells at a lower price. Considering the rural economy of Mexico, the price undercut forces many from work as farmers due to the lack of profit. Farmers can't compete, they move to the city, they don't earn money...it's a compounding process. And now prices for imported corn have increased due to the use of ethanol as an "alternative" fuel (don't get me started) and there is a lack of production within Mexico, so those that are poor cannot afford their traditional sustenance, the tortilla. Did you know that with beans, a tortilla makes a complete protein? Therefore, even if an individual is only able to obtain beans and tortillas, they can remain relatively healthy. However, due to the high price of corn and lack of supply, Mexicans are turning to processed foods such as Cup'o'noodles.
Advocating trade that is unabashedly free rather than fair does little to help anyone except corporations. It has far-reaching effects that change peoples' lives throughout the globe. While it would be wonderful if both McCain and Obama would speak out against the subsidies included in the Farm Bill, to laud McCain for voting against it only obscures the larger picture. The problem with this farm bill is not that it's doing too much for agribusiness, but rather it is doing too little.
----------------
Now playing: Panic At The Disco - Folkin' Around
via FoxyTunes
Now, if US citizens actually paid attention to the FB--which they should, considering it is a $370 billion package that encompasses everything from food production to prices to international aid to environmental conservation--they would not fall for the likes of David Brooks when he writes in the NYT that Obama is the one serving special interest groups.
First, let's break down this bill. According to CNN.com, $300 billion of the bill goes toward nutrition programs. $40 billion is for subsidies. And $30 billion is for environmental conservation. In no universe (save maybe those entrepreneurs minimally involved in farming who make nearly $1M and receive subsidies) is this bill a quality bill. It does nothing to change the industrial mindset of agriculture in this country. The conservation measures, although authorized in funding, will likely not receive the actual funds.
But to call McCain a maverick for voting against is to obscure truth about his motives. The primary problem with the FB is that--as Bush noted as he vetoed the bill--it hampers US farmers' access to foreign markets. McCain, above almost anything else, is an economic liberal who believes that markets should stay open and free at any expense. When the US subsidizes its farmers, it creates limitations in global trade. International law does not allow for subsidized agriculture to be traded freely.
For those who don't understand why unrestrained free trade in agriculture actually creates hunger rather than alleviates it, take the example of Mexico. Because of NAFTA, US farmers sell their corn in Mexico. However, due to the low cost of production of corn in the US, corn from here sells at a lower price. Considering the rural economy of Mexico, the price undercut forces many from work as farmers due to the lack of profit. Farmers can't compete, they move to the city, they don't earn money...it's a compounding process. And now prices for imported corn have increased due to the use of ethanol as an "alternative" fuel (don't get me started) and there is a lack of production within Mexico, so those that are poor cannot afford their traditional sustenance, the tortilla. Did you know that with beans, a tortilla makes a complete protein? Therefore, even if an individual is only able to obtain beans and tortillas, they can remain relatively healthy. However, due to the high price of corn and lack of supply, Mexicans are turning to processed foods such as Cup'o'noodles.
Advocating trade that is unabashedly free rather than fair does little to help anyone except corporations. It has far-reaching effects that change peoples' lives throughout the globe. While it would be wonderful if both McCain and Obama would speak out against the subsidies included in the Farm Bill, to laud McCain for voting against it only obscures the larger picture. The problem with this farm bill is not that it's doing too much for agribusiness, but rather it is doing too little.
----------------
Now playing: Panic At The Disco - Folkin' Around
via FoxyTunes
Monday, March 24, 2008
But I'm getting better at fighting the future
They say that there are two topics not to discuss in polite company: religion and politics. I say it's time to shatter that accepted belief and jump right in. Now is not the time to be silent when speaking with friends and family about our politics, or about the way that our faith shapes our politics.
I know that many of my circle are John McCain supporters. This seems to be for a variety of reasons--he appears honest, he is supposedly a maverick, he is the Republican candidate and the Republican Party is the party of moral values. But the major problem with McCain is that he won't be a candidate that chooses life. John McCain has already made it clear that he is not only willing to continue the long slog in Iraq, but is ready for war with Iran as well. He is a supporter of free trade, a free trade that continues to hold down the most impoverished citizens of the world. He made clear in a recent interview that he is not interested in pursuing renewable energy or strict fuel economy standards.
Many of these points have been noted in a previous blog. What I'm saying here is that it's time for us all to examine what it really means to live our faith. Our faith should dictate each and every piece of our lives. I'm aware that this is difficult, oh so difficult, but for goodness' sake, for God's sake, please, please incorporate it into your voting.
From the earliest Old Testament Jubilee years to the prophets crying for justice to Jesus' teachings on "the least of these", it is clear that a belief in God should propel us to call for a change in the policies of the US. Justice means an end to preemptive war. Justice requires a call for fairer trade and development policies that allow the 2/3s of the world living on $2 a day a chance at a life in which they don't worry each day about how they will eat. Justice is caring for our planet so that we don't degrade the soils, pollute the water and flood our cities.
Yes, these are concepts that we can all work toward through our private lives, through our churches and through community organizations. But our churches aren't the ones that sign off on war (most were against the Iraq invasion), our churches can't pledge billions for international development (although we can buy pigs for Haiti), our churches can't impose carbon caps or fuel economy standards. We have a chance to change our country, and through our country the world, but it has to come from both directions--it must come from the grassroots, populist movement, and it must come from the top, from leaders and an administration with courage to look beyond our borders and beyond today.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
via FoxyTunes
I know that many of my circle are John McCain supporters. This seems to be for a variety of reasons--he appears honest, he is supposedly a maverick, he is the Republican candidate and the Republican Party is the party of moral values. But the major problem with McCain is that he won't be a candidate that chooses life. John McCain has already made it clear that he is not only willing to continue the long slog in Iraq, but is ready for war with Iran as well. He is a supporter of free trade, a free trade that continues to hold down the most impoverished citizens of the world. He made clear in a recent interview that he is not interested in pursuing renewable energy or strict fuel economy standards.
Many of these points have been noted in a previous blog. What I'm saying here is that it's time for us all to examine what it really means to live our faith. Our faith should dictate each and every piece of our lives. I'm aware that this is difficult, oh so difficult, but for goodness' sake, for God's sake, please, please incorporate it into your voting.
From the earliest Old Testament Jubilee years to the prophets crying for justice to Jesus' teachings on "the least of these", it is clear that a belief in God should propel us to call for a change in the policies of the US. Justice means an end to preemptive war. Justice requires a call for fairer trade and development policies that allow the 2/3s of the world living on $2 a day a chance at a life in which they don't worry each day about how they will eat. Justice is caring for our planet so that we don't degrade the soils, pollute the water and flood our cities.
Yes, these are concepts that we can all work toward through our private lives, through our churches and through community organizations. But our churches aren't the ones that sign off on war (most were against the Iraq invasion), our churches can't pledge billions for international development (although we can buy pigs for Haiti), our churches can't impose carbon caps or fuel economy standards. We have a chance to change our country, and through our country the world, but it has to come from both directions--it must come from the grassroots, populist movement, and it must come from the top, from leaders and an administration with courage to look beyond our borders and beyond today.
----------------
Now playing: Jimmy Eat World - Dizzy
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, February 07, 2008
It shook me and questioned my integrity
I know quite a few people who are excited about John McCain and his Super Tuesday victories. Now Mitt Romney has "suspended" his race for the White House, leaving the path clear for McCain to be the Republican nominee. This makes Republicans/conservatives who are tired of Bush estatic. Why? Because McCain is a "maverick" who will really change things up.
REALLY?
Let's think about that. First of all, I'll state the obvious--another old, rich, white guy. Thrilling! And what is the number one issue that this nation seems to have on its mind? The war in Iraq. McCain consistantly touts his military credientials and was a strong supporter of the war, vocally declaring that Hussein had WMDs. Yes, perhaps he criticized Rumsfield and denounced torture, but the fact is that he supports the war, and that he would likely not be the diplomatic president that we so need.
What else is McCain such a maverick about? Immigration. Ok, yes, I agree that he takes a much better stance on immigration than most Republicans, but until we find someone to lead this nation who is willing to work hand in hand with other countries rather than proclaim the might of America, we're not going to solve the problem of illegal immigration. As long as he has a free trade agenda that he is not willing to surrender, there is no way that we will be able to slow immigration.
What about gun control? As long as McCain is still voting against the Brady Bill and against bans on assult rifles, he does not truly support gun control. To say you're in favor of gun locks is not really saying much, sir.
And what, oh what about the environment? Anyone who believes that global climate change will not be an important issue for the next president is a fool. John McCain fancies himself a steward of the environment, ala Teddy Roosevelt. But what does the League of Conservation Voters give Senator McCain on his environmental scorecard? 29%! If you need more convincing, click the headline of this entry to check out how McCain failed to be a maverick in regards to being green.
As far as I can tell, besides his monumental role in campaign finance reform, the only reason John McCain can call himself a maverick is because he has voted against the Bush tax cuts. And why? Because it wouldn't be prudent to cut taxes while the nation is at war--a war that he does not see as having an end.
It's time to pull our heads out of the sand. This election is not about voting along party lines. It's not about listening to what the media tells us about a maverick candiate. This is not the time to hold up "pro-life" above all else. It's time to consider what it truly means to be pro-life--it means ending a war, it means not provoking other wars, it means painting ourselves green, it means knowing that a life in another country is worth just as much as a life in our own.
Life is sacred--all life. It's time we choose a president that believes this to be true.
----------------
Now playing: The Format - Matches
via FoxyTunes
REALLY?
Let's think about that. First of all, I'll state the obvious--another old, rich, white guy. Thrilling! And what is the number one issue that this nation seems to have on its mind? The war in Iraq. McCain consistantly touts his military credientials and was a strong supporter of the war, vocally declaring that Hussein had WMDs. Yes, perhaps he criticized Rumsfield and denounced torture, but the fact is that he supports the war, and that he would likely not be the diplomatic president that we so need.
What else is McCain such a maverick about? Immigration. Ok, yes, I agree that he takes a much better stance on immigration than most Republicans, but until we find someone to lead this nation who is willing to work hand in hand with other countries rather than proclaim the might of America, we're not going to solve the problem of illegal immigration. As long as he has a free trade agenda that he is not willing to surrender, there is no way that we will be able to slow immigration.
What about gun control? As long as McCain is still voting against the Brady Bill and against bans on assult rifles, he does not truly support gun control. To say you're in favor of gun locks is not really saying much, sir.
And what, oh what about the environment? Anyone who believes that global climate change will not be an important issue for the next president is a fool. John McCain fancies himself a steward of the environment, ala Teddy Roosevelt. But what does the League of Conservation Voters give Senator McCain on his environmental scorecard? 29%! If you need more convincing, click the headline of this entry to check out how McCain failed to be a maverick in regards to being green.
As far as I can tell, besides his monumental role in campaign finance reform, the only reason John McCain can call himself a maverick is because he has voted against the Bush tax cuts. And why? Because it wouldn't be prudent to cut taxes while the nation is at war--a war that he does not see as having an end.
It's time to pull our heads out of the sand. This election is not about voting along party lines. It's not about listening to what the media tells us about a maverick candiate. This is not the time to hold up "pro-life" above all else. It's time to consider what it truly means to be pro-life--it means ending a war, it means not provoking other wars, it means painting ourselves green, it means knowing that a life in another country is worth just as much as a life in our own.
Life is sacred--all life. It's time we choose a president that believes this to be true.
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Now playing: The Format - Matches
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Friday, January 04, 2008
I see the sun settin' over America
It's time to turn our nation around!
The images stood as evidence of the success of Mr. Obama’s effort to reach out to thousands of first-time caucusgoers, including many independent voters and younger voters. The huge turn-out — by contrast, 108,000 Republicans caucused on Thursday — demonstrated the extent to which opposition to President Bush has energized Democrats, and served as another warning to Republicans about the problems they face this November in swing states like this.
I know it's "just" Iowa, but the first primary intrigued me and gave me hope. My candidate didn't do so well, but in all honesty I had low expectations. The voters are apparently not ready to listen to the one with the best qualifications.
New Hampshire's primaries occur in just a few days, so we can't really predict what's going to happen yet. The most interesting, and encouraging, part is that the young and the independents are coming out to vote.
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Now playing: Billy Joel - You're My Home (Live)
via FoxyTunes
The images stood as evidence of the success of Mr. Obama’s effort to reach out to thousands of first-time caucusgoers, including many independent voters and younger voters. The huge turn-out — by contrast, 108,000 Republicans caucused on Thursday — demonstrated the extent to which opposition to President Bush has energized Democrats, and served as another warning to Republicans about the problems they face this November in swing states like this.
I know it's "just" Iowa, but the first primary intrigued me and gave me hope. My candidate didn't do so well, but in all honesty I had low expectations. The voters are apparently not ready to listen to the one with the best qualifications.
New Hampshire's primaries occur in just a few days, so we can't really predict what's going to happen yet. The most interesting, and encouraging, part is that the young and the independents are coming out to vote.
----------------
Now playing: Billy Joel - You're My Home (Live)
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I Thought About The World, Drank Gin and Watched The News
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
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
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