Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thoughts on the election: The Nashville Minx doesn't buy the hype
Depending on where you get your information, the talk of potential "voter fraud" and/or "voter supression" may be more than a blip on the radar. Acorn, purged voter rolls, the dead rising just to cast a ballot - for some, the rumors constitute a genuine fear, for others an overwrought exaggeration, and for more, just another round of political gamesmanship.
No stranger to the political world, the writer known around these parts as "the Nashville Minx" has been hitting the internet straight from the Volunteer state for several months now. In this piece cross-posted on her own blog, she takes on the rumors of Minnie Mouse at the polls after doing a little bit of early voting.
More of her work can be found here.
Other submissions in this series:
-Mom explains her political philosophy
-Teddy Kahn on Dog Sh-t and Competitive Obama-Mania
-S. Thompson on "The Business Party"
-Grandmom's thoughts on how politics play in her world
-----
For about two weeks early voters have turned out in record numbers to cast their ballot for the next president of the United States. Yes, we also have the opportunity to vote for US Senate and House (but really, who needs those guys? all they do is create the legislation that our “almighty” president can veto or sign into law) and the TN General Assembly (what do they do besides regulate things like our state budget and taxes?). My point being, there’s more to this election than Obama vs. McCain, so try to be informed when you make your way to the polling place.
We’ve all heard the rally cries, the fervor and trembling of those on opposite sides these past few months and really it’s glorious to see such ignition of interest in our political system. I am especially grateful to see our “generation of apathy” (as i fondly call our stationary video-game-addicted youth) step up to the plate; I guess all it takes is two wars, a failing economy, a monstrous federal deficit charged to our grandkids and a history making presidential election. Hey, whatever gets your goat.
So my grave doubt in the execution of the youth vote has not subsided, but was encouraged by the numbers I witnessed today when I went to vote. I was pleased to see youth turnout amongst the predictably early target voters (middle aged, white and suburban). The Green Hills Library was so jammed, the parking lot in such disarray, that I was left no other option but to pull my vehicle onto the grass median between the steady-packed parking spaces. That library’s getting more action than it’s seen in years.
Despite the veritable cluster f**k that was the parking lot, the interior system was quite efficient and though I beat what would become a larger crowd, I was out of there, with a change of address, proudly displaying my “I voted” badge of honor in about 24 minutes. A smug grin across my face I made my exit, but not without suspiciously eyeing each early elector for a glimpse of their assumed presidential choice (some people are so obvious:)).
Let me assure you fear mongers and Fox News addicted conspiracy theorists, I witnessed no voter fraud, no biased election volunteers, not even a rowdy Obama supporter uttered a word. The words “Acorn” and “voter fraud” have been drilled to the point of exhaustion; almost to the point of a plausible reality, but let me remind you, you can register Minnie Mouse but nothing’s illegal until Minnie cast a vote. Thank you for letting me plead my debunk of the illusion that fraudulent voter registration is some grand scheme of the Obama campaign set out to destroy the sacred nature of our election process.
So am I making a prediction for election victor?– no, hell no; the paranoia that is ingrained into my psyche is too attached to the childlike fear that i will “jinx” the election (one way or the other). When that fateful day in blustery November ensues, a mere 5 days from now, we will unveil the new leader of the free world. And only one thing’s for sure, it ain’t going to be no GW– da Dub-Ya is done!
Prepare: we know too well the temptation to avoid early voting or to even miss voting completely, but PLEASE DO NOT FALL VICTIM! EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND DO IT. DO IT BY THURSDAY OR SUFFER THROUGH THE HELLA LINE NEXT TUESDAY. THANK YOU.
No stranger to the political world, the writer known around these parts as "the Nashville Minx" has been hitting the internet straight from the Volunteer state for several months now. In this piece cross-posted on her own blog, she takes on the rumors of Minnie Mouse at the polls after doing a little bit of early voting.
More of her work can be found here.
Other submissions in this series:
-Mom explains her political philosophy
-Teddy Kahn on Dog Sh-t and Competitive Obama-Mania
-S. Thompson on "The Business Party"
-Grandmom's thoughts on how politics play in her world
-----
For about two weeks early voters have turned out in record numbers to cast their ballot for the next president of the United States. Yes, we also have the opportunity to vote for US Senate and House (but really, who needs those guys? all they do is create the legislation that our “almighty” president can veto or sign into law) and the TN General Assembly (what do they do besides regulate things like our state budget and taxes?). My point being, there’s more to this election than Obama vs. McCain, so try to be informed when you make your way to the polling place.
We’ve all heard the rally cries, the fervor and trembling of those on opposite sides these past few months and really it’s glorious to see such ignition of interest in our political system. I am especially grateful to see our “generation of apathy” (as i fondly call our stationary video-game-addicted youth) step up to the plate; I guess all it takes is two wars, a failing economy, a monstrous federal deficit charged to our grandkids and a history making presidential election. Hey, whatever gets your goat.
So my grave doubt in the execution of the youth vote has not subsided, but was encouraged by the numbers I witnessed today when I went to vote. I was pleased to see youth turnout amongst the predictably early target voters (middle aged, white and suburban). The Green Hills Library was so jammed, the parking lot in such disarray, that I was left no other option but to pull my vehicle onto the grass median between the steady-packed parking spaces. That library’s getting more action than it’s seen in years.
Despite the veritable cluster f**k that was the parking lot, the interior system was quite efficient and though I beat what would become a larger crowd, I was out of there, with a change of address, proudly displaying my “I voted” badge of honor in about 24 minutes. A smug grin across my face I made my exit, but not without suspiciously eyeing each early elector for a glimpse of their assumed presidential choice (some people are so obvious:)).
Let me assure you fear mongers and Fox News addicted conspiracy theorists, I witnessed no voter fraud, no biased election volunteers, not even a rowdy Obama supporter uttered a word. The words “Acorn” and “voter fraud” have been drilled to the point of exhaustion; almost to the point of a plausible reality, but let me remind you, you can register Minnie Mouse but nothing’s illegal until Minnie cast a vote. Thank you for letting me plead my debunk of the illusion that fraudulent voter registration is some grand scheme of the Obama campaign set out to destroy the sacred nature of our election process.
So am I making a prediction for election victor?– no, hell no; the paranoia that is ingrained into my psyche is too attached to the childlike fear that i will “jinx” the election (one way or the other). When that fateful day in blustery November ensues, a mere 5 days from now, we will unveil the new leader of the free world. And only one thing’s for sure, it ain’t going to be no GW– da Dub-Ya is done!
Prepare: we know too well the temptation to avoid early voting or to even miss voting completely, but PLEASE DO NOT FALL VICTIM! EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE AND DO IT. DO IT BY THURSDAY OR SUFFER THROUGH THE HELLA LINE NEXT TUESDAY. THANK YOU.
Thoughts on the election: Mom explains her philosophy
Retirement is not what it used to be. The traditional idea that one puts in their decades and then kicks back to watch soap operas and knit socks for your grandkids may be breaking under the pressure of whatever the American dream is contorted into under tightening economic circumstances.
Examples are numerous, of course. Hell, take Barack Obama's 30 minute infomercial yesterday evening, which depicted a retired fellow who was forced to take a loan out using his home as collateral and get a job at Wal-Mart, of all places.
Of course, that was the point of including that scene - to scare viewers into thinking their retirement could be toiled away selling potting soil and garden hoses until they drop dead. But the motivation is a strong one. I, for one, never want to be the sad eyed old man standing behind the counter at McDonald's, shoving packets of french fries at bratty teenagers when I am 70 years old. What a tragedy.
My mother, for her part, has gracefully embraced retirement and managed to stay away from employment with a nefarious major corporation while still not surrendering to the notion that she should just relax and play shuffleboard all day (though her building in Florida does have fine shuffleboard facilities).
Though officially retired for several years, after decades in the insurance business, she has already managed to put in time at a non-profit and somehow complete nearly all the steps necessary for a boat captaincy (of all things).
Now, she spends much of her time volunteering for the Barack Obama campaign. In fact, she was in the audience for the live portion of Obama's infomercial just last night and has worked the phones and serves as a team leader in her local community for the campaign.
She is a passionate supporter of the Democratic nominee, and though she doesn't write his name in this submission, I think it is evident her ideas mesh with much of his message.
Thanks, Mom!
Other submissions in this series:
-Teddy Kahn on Dog Sh-t and Competitive Obama-Mania
-S. Thompson on "The Business Party"
-Grandmom's thoughts on how politics play in her world
----
I am an optimist; but, in anticipating that others approach life with a similar attitude, I find that I am disappointed with people.
We see problems in our world. We are equipped to address them. Everywhere we see conditions that could be vastly improved with the application of a higher set of values: poverty, hunger, abuse, war, economic issues. I believe that we need the kind of change that brings honor to our leadership and honorability to the force we present in the world. The current problems in our country have stemmed from what I find to be an inappropriate set of values held by many of our leaders. A focus on self, rather than on others, has impacted very negatively on our relationships with other countries, our economy, the war in Iraq.
Call me naïve, but I do believe that we can change much by electing leaders who seek goodness, who believe in talking with our enemies, who believe in establishing basic rules to encourage a less extreme distribution of economic prosperity among us. Improvement in our education system, for example, not only leads to greater opportunity for individuals, but brings about greater results for our entire country and the world. If the removal of a tax cut above specified income limits enables us to significantly enhance opportunities that benefit the greater good, I am willing to give up that cut. I find it hard to believe when I hear others that are fairly well-off state their unwillingness to contribute in that way. Focus needs to shift from what is the best for me right now to what can be the best for all of us and our children as we go forward.
Examples are numerous, of course. Hell, take Barack Obama's 30 minute infomercial yesterday evening, which depicted a retired fellow who was forced to take a loan out using his home as collateral and get a job at Wal-Mart, of all places.
Of course, that was the point of including that scene - to scare viewers into thinking their retirement could be toiled away selling potting soil and garden hoses until they drop dead. But the motivation is a strong one. I, for one, never want to be the sad eyed old man standing behind the counter at McDonald's, shoving packets of french fries at bratty teenagers when I am 70 years old. What a tragedy.
My mother, for her part, has gracefully embraced retirement and managed to stay away from employment with a nefarious major corporation while still not surrendering to the notion that she should just relax and play shuffleboard all day (though her building in Florida does have fine shuffleboard facilities).
Though officially retired for several years, after decades in the insurance business, she has already managed to put in time at a non-profit and somehow complete nearly all the steps necessary for a boat captaincy (of all things).
Now, she spends much of her time volunteering for the Barack Obama campaign. In fact, she was in the audience for the live portion of Obama's infomercial just last night and has worked the phones and serves as a team leader in her local community for the campaign.
She is a passionate supporter of the Democratic nominee, and though she doesn't write his name in this submission, I think it is evident her ideas mesh with much of his message.
Thanks, Mom!
Other submissions in this series:
-Teddy Kahn on Dog Sh-t and Competitive Obama-Mania
-S. Thompson on "The Business Party"
-Grandmom's thoughts on how politics play in her world
----
I am an optimist; but, in anticipating that others approach life with a similar attitude, I find that I am disappointed with people.
We see problems in our world. We are equipped to address them. Everywhere we see conditions that could be vastly improved with the application of a higher set of values: poverty, hunger, abuse, war, economic issues. I believe that we need the kind of change that brings honor to our leadership and honorability to the force we present in the world. The current problems in our country have stemmed from what I find to be an inappropriate set of values held by many of our leaders. A focus on self, rather than on others, has impacted very negatively on our relationships with other countries, our economy, the war in Iraq.
Call me naïve, but I do believe that we can change much by electing leaders who seek goodness, who believe in talking with our enemies, who believe in establishing basic rules to encourage a less extreme distribution of economic prosperity among us. Improvement in our education system, for example, not only leads to greater opportunity for individuals, but brings about greater results for our entire country and the world. If the removal of a tax cut above specified income limits enables us to significantly enhance opportunities that benefit the greater good, I am willing to give up that cut. I find it hard to believe when I hear others that are fairly well-off state their unwillingness to contribute in that way. Focus needs to shift from what is the best for me right now to what can be the best for all of us and our children as we go forward.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thoughts on the election: Teddy Kahn on Dog Shit and Competitive Obama-mania
Some of the early criticism of supporters of Barack Obama centered around the impression that there was an over-enthusiastic approach to a man few knew much about - what the nay-sayers could decry as undeserved "hero worship."
One look at some of the imagery seen on some posters and t-shirts, and that impression is at least somewhat understandable. One well-known poster shows the Democratic nominee gazing into the what appears to be the future, depicted in four-stark colors, and eerily reminiscent of the iconography used to depict revolutionary heroes of the past.
In the third written contribution to this site, Teddy Kahn discusses how supporters of Obama in his community made their feelings about the candidate into a competition, as the race to out-Obama fellow supporters has crept beyond dorm rooms and volvo bumpers and into the most visible and public of statements for the American suburbs - they yard sign.
Food critic, soccer hooligan, and bourbon journalist - Teddy Kahn has done it all. Though he presently works at a well-known Washington magazine, we formerly served together in the bilingual journalistic trenches at the luxurious facilities of Chile's own Santiago Times.
Earlier installments:
S.Thompson on "The Business Party"
My Grandmother discusses being a Democrat with only Republican friends
----
I live in Chevy Chase, Maryland, quite possibly the bluest town in the bluest state in the country. My neighborhood is so thoroughly Obamified, in fact, that the only competition this election season has been internal: who among the faithful is the most proud, the most vocal, the most passionate backer of the only real candidate around. This battle has played out largely through the medium of signs.
Starting around February, a serious shortage of Obama signs arose in Montgomery County. The Maryland primary is traditionally a non-event, falling as it does several weeks after Super Tuesday, but this year’s prolonged competition between Obama and Hillary (or, as she was better known in my neighborhood, “that bitch”) threw unexpected attention on what came to be known as the Potomac Primary.
The Obama camp was caught unprepared. Hoards of supporters, eager to advertise their commitment, demanded Obama signs. Local campaign headquarters had none; emergency resupplies were ordered from the national offices. They, too, were quickly depleted. There was talk of a secret bunker hidden somewhere off the banks of the Potomac. As far as I know, no one ever found it.
Fortunately, my mom had connections with a mid-level staffer in our local Rep.’s office, so our yard prominently advocated “Obama For President” – to the envy of many a disenfranchised neighbor. But politics is a dirty game, and some people on our block weren’t happy about being out-Obamed. Our sign lasted a couple weeks, until one morning we woke to find that – by the looks of our barren lawn – we were no longer at the forefront of the glorious march towards Obama victory in the Free State.
Two subsequent signs met similar fates. What was that fate exactly? In an effort to deter future thieves, my mom decorated our third Obama sign with plastic bags full of Golden Retriever shit. It was a pretty bad idea. Associating one’s preferred candidate with dog shit is generally not the message a campaign tries to promote, and as a security measure, it proved worthless: that sign soon disappeared as well. The dog shit scheme did, however, prove to be an effective tracking device. Sure enough, I spotted an Obama sign with a couple tell-tale plastic newspaper baggies still clinging to it, odorously holding forth mere blocks away from our house.
Alas, we were out-witted once again by our fellow Obama supporters. Thankfully, the Obama campaign overcame its initial logistical hurdles in Maryland, and there are now enough signs to go around. The coverage on my street is nearly complete.
What have I learned from all this? That this prosperous, suburban community, thoroughly ensconced inside the Beltway, is voting Democratic this year is certainly not news. But what of decent and level-headed Democrats lowering themselves to Rovian tactics in an effort to “out-support” their neighbors?
Surely this is something new. Montgomery county went for Kerry over Bush 66 – 33 percent in 2004; in 2000 it was 63 – 34 in favor of Gore, but the all-important Chevy Chase yard sign metric was never this skewed. As a matter of fact, it is easier to spot a washed-up 2004 Bush bumper sticker than public acknowledgment of support for John McCain. Which is a little disconcerting, because those Republicans are still out there, and I wonder how they feel living in a community where supporting Obama is taken for granted, and “conservative” is generally spoken in the same hushed tones used to discuss an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or particularly messy divorce. Are they intimidated into silence by an unprecedented proliferation of opposing signs?
But more disconcerting still is the mindset that would drive someone to steal a campaign sign of a candidate whom they support and replant it several blocks away. I’m no right-wing nut (in fact, I consider myself a centrist nut), but I do find the fanaticism of Obama supporters to be troubling. It reflects blind devotion to a cause (“Change!” “Hope!”) without critical examination of its substance. Worse still, the pressure for everyone to just fall in line – so tangible in some parts of the country – speaks to the bias in our political discourse against rigorous, independent thought.
If we elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, I think we will have elected a good man and a strong leader – certainly the better of the two major party candidates. But in the renewed wave of Obama worship that will certainly ensue, I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for the proverbial bags of shit.
One look at some of the imagery seen on some posters and t-shirts, and that impression is at least somewhat understandable. One well-known poster shows the Democratic nominee gazing into the what appears to be the future, depicted in four-stark colors, and eerily reminiscent of the iconography used to depict revolutionary heroes of the past.
In the third written contribution to this site, Teddy Kahn discusses how supporters of Obama in his community made their feelings about the candidate into a competition, as the race to out-Obama fellow supporters has crept beyond dorm rooms and volvo bumpers and into the most visible and public of statements for the American suburbs - they yard sign.
Food critic, soccer hooligan, and bourbon journalist - Teddy Kahn has done it all. Though he presently works at a well-known Washington magazine, we formerly served together in the bilingual journalistic trenches at the luxurious facilities of Chile's own Santiago Times.
Earlier installments:
S.Thompson on "The Business Party"
My Grandmother discusses being a Democrat with only Republican friends
----
I live in Chevy Chase, Maryland, quite possibly the bluest town in the bluest state in the country. My neighborhood is so thoroughly Obamified, in fact, that the only competition this election season has been internal: who among the faithful is the most proud, the most vocal, the most passionate backer of the only real candidate around. This battle has played out largely through the medium of signs.
Starting around February, a serious shortage of Obama signs arose in Montgomery County. The Maryland primary is traditionally a non-event, falling as it does several weeks after Super Tuesday, but this year’s prolonged competition between Obama and Hillary (or, as she was better known in my neighborhood, “that bitch”) threw unexpected attention on what came to be known as the Potomac Primary.
The Obama camp was caught unprepared. Hoards of supporters, eager to advertise their commitment, demanded Obama signs. Local campaign headquarters had none; emergency resupplies were ordered from the national offices. They, too, were quickly depleted. There was talk of a secret bunker hidden somewhere off the banks of the Potomac. As far as I know, no one ever found it.
Fortunately, my mom had connections with a mid-level staffer in our local Rep.’s office, so our yard prominently advocated “Obama For President” – to the envy of many a disenfranchised neighbor. But politics is a dirty game, and some people on our block weren’t happy about being out-Obamed. Our sign lasted a couple weeks, until one morning we woke to find that – by the looks of our barren lawn – we were no longer at the forefront of the glorious march towards Obama victory in the Free State.
Two subsequent signs met similar fates. What was that fate exactly? In an effort to deter future thieves, my mom decorated our third Obama sign with plastic bags full of Golden Retriever shit. It was a pretty bad idea. Associating one’s preferred candidate with dog shit is generally not the message a campaign tries to promote, and as a security measure, it proved worthless: that sign soon disappeared as well. The dog shit scheme did, however, prove to be an effective tracking device. Sure enough, I spotted an Obama sign with a couple tell-tale plastic newspaper baggies still clinging to it, odorously holding forth mere blocks away from our house.
Alas, we were out-witted once again by our fellow Obama supporters. Thankfully, the Obama campaign overcame its initial logistical hurdles in Maryland, and there are now enough signs to go around. The coverage on my street is nearly complete.
What have I learned from all this? That this prosperous, suburban community, thoroughly ensconced inside the Beltway, is voting Democratic this year is certainly not news. But what of decent and level-headed Democrats lowering themselves to Rovian tactics in an effort to “out-support” their neighbors?
Surely this is something new. Montgomery county went for Kerry over Bush 66 – 33 percent in 2004; in 2000 it was 63 – 34 in favor of Gore, but the all-important Chevy Chase yard sign metric was never this skewed. As a matter of fact, it is easier to spot a washed-up 2004 Bush bumper sticker than public acknowledgment of support for John McCain. Which is a little disconcerting, because those Republicans are still out there, and I wonder how they feel living in a community where supporting Obama is taken for granted, and “conservative” is generally spoken in the same hushed tones used to discuss an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or particularly messy divorce. Are they intimidated into silence by an unprecedented proliferation of opposing signs?
But more disconcerting still is the mindset that would drive someone to steal a campaign sign of a candidate whom they support and replant it several blocks away. I’m no right-wing nut (in fact, I consider myself a centrist nut), but I do find the fanaticism of Obama supporters to be troubling. It reflects blind devotion to a cause (“Change!” “Hope!”) without critical examination of its substance. Worse still, the pressure for everyone to just fall in line – so tangible in some parts of the country – speaks to the bias in our political discourse against rigorous, independent thought.
If we elect Barack Obama on Tuesday, I think we will have elected a good man and a strong leader – certainly the better of the two major party candidates. But in the renewed wave of Obama worship that will certainly ensue, I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for the proverbial bags of shit.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thoughts on the election: S. Thompson on "the Business Party"
I have begun asking friends and family for their own perspective on the election, and I have been glad to find that people are eager to contribute and eager to express themselves. In the past, I have tried to solicit writings from many people for other projects, but the vulnerability implicit in such an open ended task is understandably a deterrent. With a subject as high-profile as the election, however, people seem to have a lot to say. Maybe all the talk about this being "the most important election ever" is true.
The second contribution to this site is from "S.Thompson." A student and blogger residing in Georgia, he has worked on political campaigns in the past, but now is pursuing an advanced degree.
His political views are stridently critical of the status quo, but he also has a very pragmatic political intuition.
Here, he offers a broader perspective on the election and the excitement surrounding it.
For more from the author, check his own "A La Gauche."
Earlier installments:
Thoughts from my Grandmother
----
I came across an online interview with Noam Chomsky the other day. The interview was conducted by an alternative news source - theREALnews - and covered a range of topics concerning the state of affairs in the United States. When the interviewer asked Professor Chomsky what advice he'd give to Americans on the current election, he basically said that Americans should vote against McCain and for Obama, but without any illusions. I tend to agree with Chomsky and I certainly do in this case.
Things could get much worse if John McCain is chosen as our next president. But will things get much better under an Obama presidency? I doubt it. But that doesn't mean Americans should just throw in the towel. I hope this new interest in politics continues to grow; the more the American people know about their government, the likelier it is that things will change.
Since the Primary season, we've watched Obama's message move closer and closer to what is commonly called “the middle,” but what would better be defined as “the right”. Will this shift continue if Obama is elected? That's all up to the American people. If we all just sigh in relief at an Obama victory and return to complacency, I'd say it is almost certain that there won't be nearly as much change as there could be.
Noam Chomsky states that we have a one-party system here in the United States – the Business Party. There are two branches of the Business Party – the Republicans and the Democrats. It's strange to think about and difficult to accept, but Chomsky is right. I think very few Americans would say that one of the major parties better represents their views than one of the various “third parties”. Why is it that we even use the phrase, “voting for the lesser of two evils”? There's no reason we should accept being limited to two poor choices in nearly every election.
Millions of Americans are involved in the political process for the first time in their lives. They've been pushed to pay attention after eight years of being ignored and mistreated under the Bush administration. But there serious questions as to whether these new voices will be heard when it comes to election day. The future of this nation, and likely the future of the entire world, is based on whether or not electronic voting machines all across the country are properly calibrated. There's an issue that needs a double dose of change.
My hope is that those millions of Americans who are newly involved in the political process will keep Obama's feet to the fire, should he become the next president. Obama can promise change, but the American people can deliver it. And change doesn't have to mean simply electing the candidate from the opposition party. That cycle has been in place for a very long time. I hope the American people choose Barrack Obama. I hope their votes are counted. And I hope that once Obama is sworn in, people stay informed, stay motivated, and stay involved.
The second contribution to this site is from "S.Thompson." A student and blogger residing in Georgia, he has worked on political campaigns in the past, but now is pursuing an advanced degree.
His political views are stridently critical of the status quo, but he also has a very pragmatic political intuition.
Here, he offers a broader perspective on the election and the excitement surrounding it.
For more from the author, check his own "A La Gauche."
Earlier installments:
Thoughts from my Grandmother
----
I came across an online interview with Noam Chomsky the other day. The interview was conducted by an alternative news source - theREALnews - and covered a range of topics concerning the state of affairs in the United States. When the interviewer asked Professor Chomsky what advice he'd give to Americans on the current election, he basically said that Americans should vote against McCain and for Obama, but without any illusions. I tend to agree with Chomsky and I certainly do in this case.
Things could get much worse if John McCain is chosen as our next president. But will things get much better under an Obama presidency? I doubt it. But that doesn't mean Americans should just throw in the towel. I hope this new interest in politics continues to grow; the more the American people know about their government, the likelier it is that things will change.
Since the Primary season, we've watched Obama's message move closer and closer to what is commonly called “the middle,” but what would better be defined as “the right”. Will this shift continue if Obama is elected? That's all up to the American people. If we all just sigh in relief at an Obama victory and return to complacency, I'd say it is almost certain that there won't be nearly as much change as there could be.
Noam Chomsky states that we have a one-party system here in the United States – the Business Party. There are two branches of the Business Party – the Republicans and the Democrats. It's strange to think about and difficult to accept, but Chomsky is right. I think very few Americans would say that one of the major parties better represents their views than one of the various “third parties”. Why is it that we even use the phrase, “voting for the lesser of two evils”? There's no reason we should accept being limited to two poor choices in nearly every election.
Millions of Americans are involved in the political process for the first time in their lives. They've been pushed to pay attention after eight years of being ignored and mistreated under the Bush administration. But there serious questions as to whether these new voices will be heard when it comes to election day. The future of this nation, and likely the future of the entire world, is based on whether or not electronic voting machines all across the country are properly calibrated. There's an issue that needs a double dose of change.
My hope is that those millions of Americans who are newly involved in the political process will keep Obama's feet to the fire, should he become the next president. Obama can promise change, but the American people can deliver it. And change doesn't have to mean simply electing the candidate from the opposition party. That cycle has been in place for a very long time. I hope the American people choose Barrack Obama. I hope their votes are counted. And I hope that once Obama is sworn in, people stay informed, stay motivated, and stay involved.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Thoughts from my Grandmother
My Grandmother resides in Palm Beach County, Florida, and has for several decades now. I never remembered her as being particularly concerned with things political, until the election of 2000. Since then, she has developed a vocal favor for the Democratic Party, though this has caused her a, perhaps, unfair share of headaches with her fellow south Florida retirees.
I asked her to write her thoughts about what this election means to her.
She is a supporter of Barack Obama.
The following are her words, dispatched to me in what was coincidentally her very first e-mail. Nothing has been edited except for any basic punctuation and spelling errors.
----
Here I am, 83 years old and faced again with the frustration of another national election. I find myself surrounded by Republicans who don"t want to hear my thoughts on politics. But I keep trying.
I too was a Republican my entire adult life, raised in a Republican family - lived in a Republican suburb of New York City... and went along with all that,
Then my husband, (an Independent who leaned toward the Democrats) retired! We moved to Florida and found a wonderful group of friends there. And they too were all Republicans. When I became a widow, I began to pay more attention to what each party stood for, but stayed with the Republicans -- until George Bush came over the horizon. I began to see that this man didn't seem to have the depth of knowledge - the worldliness, the stature that our President should have.
So during my once or twice weekly dinners with all the other widows, I tried to tell them how wrong I thought they were. Never a good idea. One woman made a special trip to my home to say that I was a Republican, and should VOTE Republican.
When I expressed great concern over the Iraq war, they all chimed in -- "we were attacked!" But we're fighting the wrong country, I cried. I was met with rather inane responses, so would give up until the next time. I quietly changed my registration to Democrat. Now when I was introduced to someone new, it was - 'she's a Democrat! " This caused people to study my face for a moment, then change the subject.
Then came 2004. After four years of trying very hard to keep quiet, I began political discussions again...but to no avail. I asked how any thinking person could vote for Bush after what I considered the disaster of the past four years. Much to my horror, George was re-elected. However, newspapers in our town ran stories about psychologists who were suddenly besieged by people so depressed over the outcome of the election that they were desperately seeking help so they could carry on. Where were they in the past few years? These were new friends I could have talked to for hours.
After Bush was three years into his second term, a good friend who had once been a successful stock broker, told me quietly at dinner-- "you were so right about Bush, and I voted for him twice!"
Some months after that she died.
signed, Audrey P. Larson
I asked her to write her thoughts about what this election means to her.
She is a supporter of Barack Obama.
The following are her words, dispatched to me in what was coincidentally her very first e-mail. Nothing has been edited except for any basic punctuation and spelling errors.
----
Here I am, 83 years old and faced again with the frustration of another national election. I find myself surrounded by Republicans who don"t want to hear my thoughts on politics. But I keep trying.
I too was a Republican my entire adult life, raised in a Republican family - lived in a Republican suburb of New York City... and went along with all that,
Then my husband, (an Independent who leaned toward the Democrats) retired! We moved to Florida and found a wonderful group of friends there. And they too were all Republicans. When I became a widow, I began to pay more attention to what each party stood for, but stayed with the Republicans -- until George Bush came over the horizon. I began to see that this man didn't seem to have the depth of knowledge - the worldliness, the stature that our President should have.
So during my once or twice weekly dinners with all the other widows, I tried to tell them how wrong I thought they were. Never a good idea. One woman made a special trip to my home to say that I was a Republican, and should VOTE Republican.
When I expressed great concern over the Iraq war, they all chimed in -- "we were attacked!" But we're fighting the wrong country, I cried. I was met with rather inane responses, so would give up until the next time. I quietly changed my registration to Democrat. Now when I was introduced to someone new, it was - 'she's a Democrat! " This caused people to study my face for a moment, then change the subject.
Then came 2004. After four years of trying very hard to keep quiet, I began political discussions again...but to no avail. I asked how any thinking person could vote for Bush after what I considered the disaster of the past four years. Much to my horror, George was re-elected. However, newspapers in our town ran stories about psychologists who were suddenly besieged by people so depressed over the outcome of the election that they were desperately seeking help so they could carry on. Where were they in the past few years? These were new friends I could have talked to for hours.
After Bush was three years into his second term, a good friend who had once been a successful stock broker, told me quietly at dinner-- "you were so right about Bush, and I voted for him twice!"
Some months after that she died.
signed, Audrey P. Larson
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