Many years ago, I excitedly cast my first vote in my Presidential election. . I was in the fourth grade and my school was conduting a straw poll. Now, 26 years later, my daughter is going to cast her first vote - also in a straw poll.
My daughter brought a paper home from school today showing all the candidates and a basic outline on their various positions. As I reviewed it with my daughter, I asked her who she was going to vote for. She told me that she was going to vote for Hillary Clinton, so naturally, my next question was why she chose her candidate? Her answer - "She's a girl and if she wins the election, she will be the first female president>" I explained to her that voting for a candidate simply because they look like you - same race, same gender, etc... - probably isn't the best criteria for choosing a candidate.
"Ok then," she says, " I'll guess I'll vote for John Edwards". This, of course, happened before Edwards had withdrawn from the race. Again, I ask her the reasons behind her choice. "He has a nice smile. He looks like a nice person adn I think that whoever is President should be a nice person." I explain to her that having a nice smile, good hair, and looking like a nice person aren't quite the best factors to be looking for in a candidate either. After all, Jimmy Carter had a megawatt smile and was a very nice person. What did four years of Carter get our country? Inflation through the roof, staglation, the highest unemployment in decades and 52 American hostages who spent over a year in Iranian custody. Thanks but no thanks.
So she asked me what factors she should consider when choosing a candidate. I told her that she should think a candidates views on the issues that were important to her, and then, based on that, decide which she thought would be best for the country. I showed her how to use the internet to look into the Candidates and their positions - where they were similar and more importantly, where they differed. After doing her own investigation, she came to remarkably similiar results to my own- torn between 3 different candidates.
As I talked to my daughter, I was amazed at how many adults never move beyond third grade. Some people really will vote for Hillary or Obama, simply because she is a woman, or he is an African American, he/she looks like me....
Some people really will cast their vote for the candidate with the nicest smile, or the candidate with the "likability" factor. Isn't it strange how little some of us change?
As for me, I was proud to cast my very first vote for Ronald Reagan. He is and will always be, my President. Right or wrong, he made me proud to be an American again, something that I think our whole country so desperately needed after Jimmy Carter. As for my daughter, I'm not sure who her first candidate will be, but after today, I hope she has a better understanding about what to consider and why voting is so important.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The End of the Two Party System?
This election cycle just keeps getting more and more interesting. Both parties seem at war with themselves and appear to be crumbling from within. Personally, I abhor the two party system. It perpetuates the problem in every election year of giving me the choice of voting for dumb or dumber.
I have to say that I was particularly surprised to see how acutely acrimonious this nominating process has been for the Democratic party. I guess I really shouldn't have been though with a Clinton in the race. Talk about dirty politics- we've seen it all - and the majority of the states haven't even had their primaries yet. It started with Hillary getting "teary" and playing the gender card. How many times can she mention she's a woman and making history in one sentence? I've lost count.
Then the democrats moved to quibbling over who did more for the Civil Rights movement in getting legislation passed - Lyndon Johnson or Martin Luther King, Jr? It is almost impossible to believe that this is even a legitmate conversation in the year 2008 - let alone even a question in the mind of any American.
We have had debates on unions ~ should culinary workers be able to vote at their place of work, which just happens to be a casino? Some citizens don't think so, and filed a class action lawsuit to stop the said culinary workers and others from doing so. (Strangely, no law suit was filed when the legislation was passed... only after the culinary workers union endorsed Barack Obama for President...)
Just the other night I watched Barck Obama and Hillary Clinton circle one another like two rabid dogs, both going for the oratory jugular. Can a party this divided against itself survive the primary season? Well... the answer is that it remains to be seen.
While the Republicans aren't as vicious in the personal attacks, they actually have much more to worry about, as far as the survival of their party. The Republican vote seems to be split into fours - McCain, Romney, Huckabee and Guiliani. You have political pundits like Rush Limbaugh on the attack against more moderate candidates like McCain and Huckabee 3 hours a day - 5 days a week. You have Tom Delay, a convicted criminal, claiming that if John McCain, a decorated war hero is nominated then Delay can not, in good conscience support him or the Republican party. I wasn't aware that Delay had a conscience. The rabid right simply refuses to acknowledge the fact that the American people may be ready to embrace a more moderate stance on so many issues that face our country. Apparently Rush Limbaugh and others have all forgotten the most important governing factor in our country:" All legitimate power comes from the consent of the governed."
You see, it is the AMERICAN PEOPLE who have influence, not Rush Limbaugh, not Bill Clinton or any other political pundit. In the end, we will decide what We the People really want for our country. In the end, we the people will decide what type of governing bodies we want and what our political parties will look like. We will determine whether the republican and democrat parties survive this nominating process. (I'm pretty sure that at least the Democrats will - anything but a Republican seems to be their primary mantra...)
This flawed two-party system is further sustained by the winner take all mentality in the majority of the states when alloting delegates for nominating conventions. More on that in my next entry.
I have to say that I was particularly surprised to see how acutely acrimonious this nominating process has been for the Democratic party. I guess I really shouldn't have been though with a Clinton in the race. Talk about dirty politics- we've seen it all - and the majority of the states haven't even had their primaries yet. It started with Hillary getting "teary" and playing the gender card. How many times can she mention she's a woman and making history in one sentence? I've lost count.
Then the democrats moved to quibbling over who did more for the Civil Rights movement in getting legislation passed - Lyndon Johnson or Martin Luther King, Jr? It is almost impossible to believe that this is even a legitmate conversation in the year 2008 - let alone even a question in the mind of any American.
We have had debates on unions ~ should culinary workers be able to vote at their place of work, which just happens to be a casino? Some citizens don't think so, and filed a class action lawsuit to stop the said culinary workers and others from doing so. (Strangely, no law suit was filed when the legislation was passed... only after the culinary workers union endorsed Barack Obama for President...)
Just the other night I watched Barck Obama and Hillary Clinton circle one another like two rabid dogs, both going for the oratory jugular. Can a party this divided against itself survive the primary season? Well... the answer is that it remains to be seen.
While the Republicans aren't as vicious in the personal attacks, they actually have much more to worry about, as far as the survival of their party. The Republican vote seems to be split into fours - McCain, Romney, Huckabee and Guiliani. You have political pundits like Rush Limbaugh on the attack against more moderate candidates like McCain and Huckabee 3 hours a day - 5 days a week. You have Tom Delay, a convicted criminal, claiming that if John McCain, a decorated war hero is nominated then Delay can not, in good conscience support him or the Republican party. I wasn't aware that Delay had a conscience. The rabid right simply refuses to acknowledge the fact that the American people may be ready to embrace a more moderate stance on so many issues that face our country. Apparently Rush Limbaugh and others have all forgotten the most important governing factor in our country:" All legitimate power comes from the consent of the governed."
You see, it is the AMERICAN PEOPLE who have influence, not Rush Limbaugh, not Bill Clinton or any other political pundit. In the end, we will decide what We the People really want for our country. In the end, we the people will decide what type of governing bodies we want and what our political parties will look like. We will determine whether the republican and democrat parties survive this nominating process. (I'm pretty sure that at least the Democrats will - anything but a Republican seems to be their primary mantra...)
This flawed two-party system is further sustained by the winner take all mentality in the majority of the states when alloting delegates for nominating conventions. More on that in my next entry.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Reaching Across the Aisle - Why Rush Limbaugh is Just Flat Out WRONG!
Have you ever had those moments of temporary insanity? Well, I had one yesterday as I was driving in my car and turned on Limbaugh's program. Honestly, I used to be an avid - almost rabid - dittohead; however, as I have grown older, and I hope wiser, things have changed. I no longer view most issues that affect our country in the same immutable terms.
Yesterday was an example of Rush at his most vitriolic. There he was explaining why the "republican base" would never accept a candidate who embraces the "issues of the left". What exactly were those "issues of the left" in the world according to Rush? Well, global climate change, health care and legislation promoting greater fuel economy - to name a few.
Our country is just too polarized for any candidate of any party to speak only their base. Whatever candidate finally is elected in this cycle will need to have a broad appeal in order to start healing our country. We need to come together and decide that we are Americans first and whatever party affiliations any of us may have can only come in a distant second to the love and loyalty that our country should and MUST command.
Rush says that if any Republican candidate works too hard to appeal to the independents or moderates, that they simply will not get the support of the base. The same, in his opinion, can be said of Democrats. I disagree. I believe that whatever the case, both parties will support their candidates and this election will be decided by the chimeras - the undecided voters.
These so-called "liberal issues" of global climate change, health care and greater fuel economy ( and eventually independence from foreign oil) aren't just liberal issues. They are issues that face every single person in this country. Global climate change is happening. Whether mankind is contributing to the change or not is irrelevant. We are stewards - not owners - of this planet. It's up to us to care for it, and all the other creatures that call this planet home. Now, I'm not a tree hugger that embraces irresponsible environmental policies that are detrimental to our country. I am, however, a responsible American who believes that I should leave this world a better place, not the worse for wear.
As for health care, shouldn't the richest country on the Earth have some viable options to provide health care for all it's citizens? I am not suggesting, nor do I advocate a universal health care system. However, I do support making health care affordable for every American, and I think that we can do that, and further, that we should.
As for fuel economy and independence on foreign oil, if any American doesn't understand why this is of vital importance for our national security, then that is just beyond me. A portion of every dollar we spend at the pump, lines our enemies pockets and enables them to challenge us on the world stage. We simply must, for the security of our nation, get to a point where we can finally say, "We don't care if you drink the oil, we don't need it!" That's a dream for a day that this American looks forward to longingly....
So what do you think? Did Rush get it right? Will each party only embrace those that embrace the most rabid in their party? Or do you think that it's time for our country to finally try to come together?
Yesterday was an example of Rush at his most vitriolic. There he was explaining why the "republican base" would never accept a candidate who embraces the "issues of the left". What exactly were those "issues of the left" in the world according to Rush? Well, global climate change, health care and legislation promoting greater fuel economy - to name a few.
Our country is just too polarized for any candidate of any party to speak only their base. Whatever candidate finally is elected in this cycle will need to have a broad appeal in order to start healing our country. We need to come together and decide that we are Americans first and whatever party affiliations any of us may have can only come in a distant second to the love and loyalty that our country should and MUST command.
Rush says that if any Republican candidate works too hard to appeal to the independents or moderates, that they simply will not get the support of the base. The same, in his opinion, can be said of Democrats. I disagree. I believe that whatever the case, both parties will support their candidates and this election will be decided by the chimeras - the undecided voters.
These so-called "liberal issues" of global climate change, health care and greater fuel economy ( and eventually independence from foreign oil) aren't just liberal issues. They are issues that face every single person in this country. Global climate change is happening. Whether mankind is contributing to the change or not is irrelevant. We are stewards - not owners - of this planet. It's up to us to care for it, and all the other creatures that call this planet home. Now, I'm not a tree hugger that embraces irresponsible environmental policies that are detrimental to our country. I am, however, a responsible American who believes that I should leave this world a better place, not the worse for wear.
As for health care, shouldn't the richest country on the Earth have some viable options to provide health care for all it's citizens? I am not suggesting, nor do I advocate a universal health care system. However, I do support making health care affordable for every American, and I think that we can do that, and further, that we should.
As for fuel economy and independence on foreign oil, if any American doesn't understand why this is of vital importance for our national security, then that is just beyond me. A portion of every dollar we spend at the pump, lines our enemies pockets and enables them to challenge us on the world stage. We simply must, for the security of our nation, get to a point where we can finally say, "We don't care if you drink the oil, we don't need it!" That's a dream for a day that this American looks forward to longingly....
So what do you think? Did Rush get it right? Will each party only embrace those that embrace the most rabid in their party? Or do you think that it's time for our country to finally try to come together?
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Battle for Michigan
Tomorrow, voters in our countries 8th largest state, will go out and vote in their state's primary. This really is a story about the Republican nomination, as the steam went out of the Democratic race in Michigan a long time ago. When the state decided to move up it's primary, the Democratic National Party removed all it's delegates from the State and both Barrack Obama and John Edwards took the extra step of removing their names from the ballot. In Michigan, a democratic voter has only two options - vote for HIllary Rodham Clinton or vote undecided. There is no write in option. This blogger is encouraging ALL voters in Michigan who may be reading this to vote your conscience tomorrow, whatever your ballot options my be, you can still vote uncommitted.
On the Republican side of things, Senator McCain and former Governor Romney are in a neck and neck race. McCain does have an advantage in Michigan, in that all voters can participate in the primary, and he won't have to compete with Obama for the votes of Independents. McCain won the state handily against George W. Bush in 2000 because of the Independent vote. Time will tell if history will repeat.
Michigan really is a must win state for Romney. He was born and raised in Michigan and his father was the one time Governor of the state. With two second places in the previous contest, the outcome in Michigan is of vital importance to Romney to keep his candidacy viable.
The battle between the two candidates really is an ideological one and no place demonstrates that better than Michigan. Senator McCain is famous for his "Straight Talk" express. He believes that he should tell the American people how he really sees it, even if it may be something that they don't want to hear. McCain believes that the economy in Michigan is undergoing a fundamental change as the American automakers lose ground to foreign competitors. McCain says that certain types of jobs are leaving Michigan ( and other parts of our country) and they won't be coming back. Reagan told the people of Michigan the same thing back in 1980 and won the state handily. So, the outcome of the primary there may well be determined by which point of view about the jobs in Michigan that the voters believe. After all, at 7.4%,Michigan has the dubious distinction of claiming the nation's worst unemployment rate. In fact, jobs were the number one concern for voters back in 2004, and with the loss of 451,000 jobs in that state since 2001, it's a good bet that unemployment continues to be the number one concern of voters there.
Former Governor Romney was also a very successful business man in the private sector. He says that not only are Michigan's manufacturing jobs worth fighting for, but that we must fight for them. Our country was once a powerhouse of manufacturing in the world, and unless we want to see our country decline further, we must reclaim that role. He suggests that innovation in the auto industry is the way to turn this situation around.
It is interesting to note though that Governor Romney does not support the legislation passed in December which require greater fuel economy, while Senator McCain not only supports this legislation, but voted for it. The Consumer Federation of America claims that this legislation will cut the import of foreign oil by 15% and reduce emissions by 1 billion tons. I fully support this legislation, and feel that our companies need to be more progressive and innovative to compete with foreign competitors, who as of right now, are simply doing it better.
Yes, the outcome in Michigan will have huge implications for our country. It will be interesting to see what the Obama effect will be, and where the chips will fall.
On the Republican side of things, Senator McCain and former Governor Romney are in a neck and neck race. McCain does have an advantage in Michigan, in that all voters can participate in the primary, and he won't have to compete with Obama for the votes of Independents. McCain won the state handily against George W. Bush in 2000 because of the Independent vote. Time will tell if history will repeat.
Michigan really is a must win state for Romney. He was born and raised in Michigan and his father was the one time Governor of the state. With two second places in the previous contest, the outcome in Michigan is of vital importance to Romney to keep his candidacy viable.
The battle between the two candidates really is an ideological one and no place demonstrates that better than Michigan. Senator McCain is famous for his "Straight Talk" express. He believes that he should tell the American people how he really sees it, even if it may be something that they don't want to hear. McCain believes that the economy in Michigan is undergoing a fundamental change as the American automakers lose ground to foreign competitors. McCain says that certain types of jobs are leaving Michigan ( and other parts of our country) and they won't be coming back. Reagan told the people of Michigan the same thing back in 1980 and won the state handily. So, the outcome of the primary there may well be determined by which point of view about the jobs in Michigan that the voters believe. After all, at 7.4%,Michigan has the dubious distinction of claiming the nation's worst unemployment rate. In fact, jobs were the number one concern for voters back in 2004, and with the loss of 451,000 jobs in that state since 2001, it's a good bet that unemployment continues to be the number one concern of voters there.
Former Governor Romney was also a very successful business man in the private sector. He says that not only are Michigan's manufacturing jobs worth fighting for, but that we must fight for them. Our country was once a powerhouse of manufacturing in the world, and unless we want to see our country decline further, we must reclaim that role. He suggests that innovation in the auto industry is the way to turn this situation around.
It is interesting to note though that Governor Romney does not support the legislation passed in December which require greater fuel economy, while Senator McCain not only supports this legislation, but voted for it. The Consumer Federation of America claims that this legislation will cut the import of foreign oil by 15% and reduce emissions by 1 billion tons. I fully support this legislation, and feel that our companies need to be more progressive and innovative to compete with foreign competitors, who as of right now, are simply doing it better.
Yes, the outcome in Michigan will have huge implications for our country. It will be interesting to see what the Obama effect will be, and where the chips will fall.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Clinton Years Part Deux?
Change definitely seems to be the word du jour in this years presidential election. Both parties are buzzing about change and that message really seems to be resonating with the American People. I know it resonates with me, I'm dog tired of politics as usual in Washington. All the candidates seem to have a different view on what "change" really is, and I guess in November, and in this primary season, ultimately it will depend on how the American people define the concept that matters.
Still, the last thing this blogger wants to see in another "dynasty" in the White House. I think we need fresh blood to really shake things up to encourage real change.
How much can a candidate like Hillary Clinton really offer? I'll grant you that Senator Clinton works toward her own goals, but are they the goals of our country? Personally, I think that she is quite happy with the status quo in Washington - after all - she has lived it for the last 16 years. Hillary Clinton is at the dead center of the rotten core of our government. She is an insiders insider that knows how to get elected, but will she be successful at getting things done?
Will she really be able to build a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in order to accomplish the work of the American people?
Change for me does not involve looking at the same people, listening to the same jokes and hearing the same stories that I have already heard. A couple of months ago, I awoke and found myself listening to Hillary Clinton talking about nationalized health care and watching OJ Simpson get arrested over my morning coffee. Geez, I went to bed and woke up back in 1994. Scary.
Hillary's campaign seems to be Clinton part Deux. We are looking at the same people, the same advisors, and listening to the same broken recording messages, in my opinion. If any here can list some differences between Clinton part one and Hillary's campaign, I'd love to hear them. Really.
Finally, my biggest argument against Senator Clinton - as a woman, her constant playing of the "sex" card offends me. I'm aware you are a woman - please stop reminding me. OH, and the little "break down" in the cafe - set the feminist movement back almost as far as the 1999 pathetic "stand by your man" routine. As a woman Hillary should know that she needs to be doing it better than everyone else. So often we hear the generalization that a woman wouldn't be a good president because they are "too emotional". So what does Hillary do? Break down in tears over a cup of coffee because this election is "personal for her" - she just "cares so much". She does care - about power - not necessarily about our country.
I personally would have been really shocked if Hillary wouldn't have won New Hampshire, no matter what the pollsters said. I mean, New Hampshire really is the home of the uber- left. Some of them hate Bush so much they want to succeed from the Union. The New Hampshire voters - many of them - were not receptive to to the idea that our country has to come together to make real and lasting change. They want to hear the angry Hillary talking about vast right wing conspiracies. I hope that the message of real change will fall on more fertile ground in the coming primaries.
I'd love to hear from some Hillary supporters out there about why you are supporting your candidate. You see, I am a TRULY undecided voter - what one New Hampshire blogger called a "chimera". I think that there are many more "chimeras" just like me, and if I was Hillary, I'd be worried about that. The crown doesn't sit on her head just yet. The exit polls that I looked at seemed to suggest that of those voters that had decided months ago who to vote for, were supporting Clinton while those that were deciding in the present were going toward Obama and Edwards. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues and what it will mean in the upcoming primaries. Buckle your seat belts, I think we are in for a bumpy ride.
Still, the last thing this blogger wants to see in another "dynasty" in the White House. I think we need fresh blood to really shake things up to encourage real change.
How much can a candidate like Hillary Clinton really offer? I'll grant you that Senator Clinton works toward her own goals, but are they the goals of our country? Personally, I think that she is quite happy with the status quo in Washington - after all - she has lived it for the last 16 years. Hillary Clinton is at the dead center of the rotten core of our government. She is an insiders insider that knows how to get elected, but will she be successful at getting things done?
Will she really be able to build a coalition of Republicans and Democrats in order to accomplish the work of the American people?
Change for me does not involve looking at the same people, listening to the same jokes and hearing the same stories that I have already heard. A couple of months ago, I awoke and found myself listening to Hillary Clinton talking about nationalized health care and watching OJ Simpson get arrested over my morning coffee. Geez, I went to bed and woke up back in 1994. Scary.
Hillary's campaign seems to be Clinton part Deux. We are looking at the same people, the same advisors, and listening to the same broken recording messages, in my opinion. If any here can list some differences between Clinton part one and Hillary's campaign, I'd love to hear them. Really.
Finally, my biggest argument against Senator Clinton - as a woman, her constant playing of the "sex" card offends me. I'm aware you are a woman - please stop reminding me. OH, and the little "break down" in the cafe - set the feminist movement back almost as far as the 1999 pathetic "stand by your man" routine. As a woman Hillary should know that she needs to be doing it better than everyone else. So often we hear the generalization that a woman wouldn't be a good president because they are "too emotional". So what does Hillary do? Break down in tears over a cup of coffee because this election is "personal for her" - she just "cares so much". She does care - about power - not necessarily about our country.
I personally would have been really shocked if Hillary wouldn't have won New Hampshire, no matter what the pollsters said. I mean, New Hampshire really is the home of the uber- left. Some of them hate Bush so much they want to succeed from the Union. The New Hampshire voters - many of them - were not receptive to to the idea that our country has to come together to make real and lasting change. They want to hear the angry Hillary talking about vast right wing conspiracies. I hope that the message of real change will fall on more fertile ground in the coming primaries.
I'd love to hear from some Hillary supporters out there about why you are supporting your candidate. You see, I am a TRULY undecided voter - what one New Hampshire blogger called a "chimera". I think that there are many more "chimeras" just like me, and if I was Hillary, I'd be worried about that. The crown doesn't sit on her head just yet. The exit polls that I looked at seemed to suggest that of those voters that had decided months ago who to vote for, were supporting Clinton while those that were deciding in the present were going toward Obama and Edwards. It will be interesting to see if that trend continues and what it will mean in the upcoming primaries. Buckle your seat belts, I think we are in for a bumpy ride.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Title Says it All.....
I would say that I am an average American and I think that the adjective "angry" when applied to myself and many others is accurate. I am a stay at home mom to two little girls, but contrary to the opinions of Linda Hirschman, I am extremely active in politics and I would consider myself to be educated on the issues that face our country.
Once a week, I will be blogging here about the upcoming election, issues that face our country, the faux paus of the various candidates etc..... In this election year, the outcome is just too important to sit idly by. We all have to challenge one another to do more, say more, think more and most importantly, to get out there and exercise our civic duty to vote.
I don't know about you, but I am so bone weary of politics as usual. I'm tired of the status quo - politicians make promises for a better tomorrow and then blame the "other side" when they don't or can't deliver. I'm tired of our country being a country of "red" and "blue" states. When I look at our country from space, I don't see any "red" or "blue". Shouldn't every single American care more about what is best for their country than they do about political party?
I'm tired of individuals who drink the blue and red kool aid and do little more than regurgitate the talking points of their party. This blog is about ideas - evaluating honestly those put forth by both sides. I hope you will join me on this journey and maybe, this really is our moment to make a difference. Maybe together we really can make a real change for the betterment of our country, ourselves and our children.
Once a week, I will be blogging here about the upcoming election, issues that face our country, the faux paus of the various candidates etc..... In this election year, the outcome is just too important to sit idly by. We all have to challenge one another to do more, say more, think more and most importantly, to get out there and exercise our civic duty to vote.
I don't know about you, but I am so bone weary of politics as usual. I'm tired of the status quo - politicians make promises for a better tomorrow and then blame the "other side" when they don't or can't deliver. I'm tired of our country being a country of "red" and "blue" states. When I look at our country from space, I don't see any "red" or "blue". Shouldn't every single American care more about what is best for their country than they do about political party?
I'm tired of individuals who drink the blue and red kool aid and do little more than regurgitate the talking points of their party. This blog is about ideas - evaluating honestly those put forth by both sides. I hope you will join me on this journey and maybe, this really is our moment to make a difference. Maybe together we really can make a real change for the betterment of our country, ourselves and our children.
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