Change is in the Air
by
I have been a bit consumed with the upcoming election. I tend to be apolitical. But over the years, I have begun to be dissatisfied with certain things and I am one of those that feels that those who complain without attempting to improve things can just shut up. So I started to educate myself on the issues.
I won’t pretend that my feelings for Bush are anything short of fear and loathing. And his administration has made me leary of the entire Republican party.
Let me back up. When I was 18 and registered to vote, I wanted to register as Independent. I was young and knew what neither party stood for. The Registrar told me that if I registered Independent, I could not vote in that year’s primaries. I misunderstood and thought he was telling me I couldn’t vote in the election, not a party’s primaries. So, following my parents’ path, I registered Republican. And voted Republican.
Then I went to law school and began to learn about the Supreme Court Justices and which party appointed them and how they ruled in cases. And a change started. And I became a swing voter: I voted for Bush over Clinton. Then for Clinton over Dole. Then Bush over Gore. And even sighed relief on 9-11 that Bush was in office.
Then that change that had started in law school crystallized. The lies began. The lies that cost the lives of American soldiers. And worse, the confidence of Americans in trusting their leaders. And the lies have never stopped.
So then I voted for Kerry. And watched the polls be manipulated for a second time and Bush win again. And the lying continued.
And now Bush is leaving. We have waited so long. But what a sad state of affairs he is leaving America in. What WILL be his legacy? The Iraq war? The faltering economy? The impotent FEMA? So many to chose from.
And now we have to decide between McCain and Obama. When Obama first came on the scene, I was as skeptical of him as I am of any politician. But he is articulate and informed. And when McCain was named the Republican nominee, I was pleasantly surprised. I liked McCain. He had a good, strong reputation and was a well rounded person. And then I got down to business and started to really educate myself on these men, their platforms, their pasts, their future intentions, their behavior during the election, their selection of running mates.
If you follow me on twitter, you know clearly for whom I decided to cast my vote. The refreshing part is that this is truly the first time in my 20 years of voting that I am voting FOR someone and not AGAINST someone and am not just selecting who I think will do less harm to America.
I will not spell out what the platforms are, where the lies are, which tax plan is more economically sound, although I could. I will not disparage he who I am not voting for. I will not ask you to vote for who I am voting for.
All I ask is that you truly educate yourself on the issues, the men (and woman), and the lies. Watch Fox AND CNN. Better yet, go online to factcheck.org or to each nominee’s website. Rise above the rhetoric and spin. Question. Question what matters to you. Question where each really stands on those issues. Question the source of your information.
And if you don’t bother to educate yourself objectively and thoroughly, then, I ask you to shut up. And maybe even stay home come election day.
But this change that I speak of in my title, it isn’t in Washington. It’s with me. I am done trying to illuminate and educate folks that don’t bother to research and be objective. I am done debating these folks. I am done knocking my head against the wall only to have these folks whose minds were made up before the nominees were selected continue to ignore facts and overlook lies.
Fair AND balanced.
Pontchartrain Pete’s last blog post..Houma Needs Help After Gustav
Beautifully written and I wish everyone would take the opportunity to really do some self-examination and to also educate themselves on the people and the issues. I was an ardent Hillary supporter, I still am, since I know her platform and I know that her views are in sync with mine. But she didn’t win the nomination and I have to move on. McCain, when he rose to the top in the primaries, was the lesser of all evils..or so I thought (just like you). But once I got past the smiling facade and looked deeper, I knew Obama was my candidate. And like you, I am totally behind this man now because he does embody my values and views and (I know this is overused and is becoming cliche), he gives me hope.
The best thing about this election (if I live til Nov 4 and my head doesn’t explode) is that it has brought me together with a wonderful community of people that have challenged me to think a little deeper. Thanks for that.
i’ll proudly say that I would have voted for ANY of the Dem candidates to make sure we don’t end up with any sort of incarnation of a “Bush third term.” I’m still disappointed with Obama’s seeming lack of interest in New Orleans post-K, but the alternative is unthinkable.
YatPundit’s last blog post..Kiddo is a Life Scout
Well Written. I actually have been watching fox and cnn. And have found it both enlightening, entertaining and frustrating. This is the first election I have put so much effort into educating myself.
Continuing our email conversation about media, I actually heard a debate on the radio (can’t remember what channel) about whether Sarah Palin should be using her yahoo account for work related emails. And I know you think security issues right? no that was not their argument! They compared it to using your work email for personal reasons. I mean REALLY! Is that even a valid argument let alone worth any listeners time in debating?
Last comment: Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean they didn’t do any homework. They may just feel differently and speaking for myself – my education is still in process and I thank you for your input you have given me thus far!
mybayouvieux’s last blog post..Political Questions, Neutral Forum
This post is exactly why I’m not touching politics on my blog. …because you sound smart, fair & balanced and I don’t think I can achieve that…..
Great post.
Daisy Duke’s last blog post..Indigestion
Very nicely done and I agree with you completely… if you aren’t part of the change, you’re part of the problem. Like you, I’m taking my role in this upcoming election very seriously. My daughter is voting in her first presidential election this November, she is too. Rock the Vote!
Tara R.’s last blog post..A new start and heroes
Yeah, I hear you on the knocking head against the wall. I have, as you know, been blogging & tweeting about politics like crazy, but somehow can’t handle much of it one-on-one. It’s a lot harder to be face to face with the crazy rationales based on ignorance and fear. In virtual life, it’s easier to deal with.
suz’s last blog post..On the Dole
Very well said. I truly hope that voters will take the time to do their research in order to make an informed decision. It IS so important.
Sandy (Momisodes)’s last blog post..Allez Cuisine!
As unpolitical as I am, I admit, it’s been a very interesting election. Whatever happens, it’s exciting to be a part of history and what could impact the future.
Jane Moneypenyy’s last blog post..Unrealistic Expectations
“And if you don’t bother to educate yourself objectively and thoroughly, then, I ask you to shut up. And maybe even stay home come election day.”
I can follow what you say right up until there. It doesn’t matter if your opinion is less “educated” as you say, as long as you HAVE an opinion. But when your opinions stomp on someone else’s right to express theirs (say by telling them to shut up or that they shouldn’t be allowed to vote) thats where the problem comes in.
You claim that your opinion is more informed than others. Well for every one of those websites you quote, I can find a thousand others that say the opposite. You’re a tax attorney. Okay. But you’re not an economist. And I guarantee you there are a thousand people with your education that disagree. Maybe you’re right. Maybe someone else is. But the fact is, no one has any proof of anything.
You have opinions. That’s good.
But you can’t prove that Obama would make a better President. Obama has no experience running any sort of government, and according to my (again, possibly faulty) information, he has a very spotty voting record in the Senate. Not that it matters since Senate experience is irrelevant to being President.
It’s all talk really. I have an opinion. I have a right to be heard, just like you do. But I haven’t told you to shut up. Vote as you wish, but don’t try to shut down the voices of those who disagree with you. Because if that’s what it takes to get what you want, will it be worth it?
Adam’s last blog post..Miles to go Before I Sleep…