Archives of Our Lives

{a narrow and broad look into the lives of people I love}

Monday, October 6, 2008

Nobody Scream, But I Might Just Be a Democrat.

I listened to talk radio (CNN and NPR, specifically) for the first real time in my life last week.

For over twelve hours.

I won't go into the details of the mental breakdown that isnpired me to do this, but I will say that it had something to do with a drive from Oregon to Canada, a Sirius satellite radio, and a husband who didn't like being ignored by a book-reading wife.

Who's recommendation was this? Thanks, whoever tipped me off. It reminded me of a certain small town of barely 3,000 people. Quite endearing. Photo from here.

It was also the day that the Bailout Bill was being put back to The House for debate and a re-vote, and the highly anticipated (and only) vice presidential debate was scheduled to take place.

And did you know? If you listen to CNN all day long, for twelve hours straight, you will hear the same news over and over. For twelve hours straight.

I learned that all Sarah Palin had to do at the debate was not sound like a blubbering idiot, and she would have come out the victor. And Joe Biden's (can I call him "Joe?") only task was to refer to Palin as "Governor," not acknowledging in any way, shape, or form, the gender of his opponent, and it would be considered a tie. Fair and square.

I also learned the terms Freddie and Fannie, the names Frank Raines and Barney Frank, and that $700,000,000,000 (that's seven hundred billion dollars...as in billion) is supposed to save our economy [which, incidentally, is worse off than it ever was in the Dirty Thirties, as Canadians know the Great Depression].

It's almost like I got smart...or something.

The most important thing I learned, however, is that I have no idea who I should vote for in the presidential election. I have already learned my lesson that it's silly to vote for a candidate based on what family is doing. I want proof. I want evidence. I want to know, for myself, for sure, that I am voting for the right person. In my travels abroad, I have met a lot of people, and I've learned that, from outside our borders, many people think America is a laughingstock. I was shocked when I first realised that not everybody hails America as the greatest country on Earth. It opened my eyes, and I have been supremely interested in my world perspective ever since.

I want to vote for the team that will make the rest of the world stop laughing at me.

Only I can't figure out which team that is.

I know that so many people would give their organs (not the vital ones, maybe just a kidney, but still...) to be able to vote in this election. People throughout history have fought for the right to vote. I do not take it lightly. In fact, I'm starting a poll of Canadians, asking who they would vote for if they had a choice. So far I'm 1-1 (it's a small poll--I don't have a lot of friends up here).

So I'm asking you to weigh in. Not that I'm going to vote for whoever you vote for...but I'd like to hear people's pros and cons...why you've decided who you did, or if you are struggling to decide, like I am. And don't be shy [or do be...whatever works]. You don't have to answer. If you want to, you are welcome to hide behind anonymity, or you can leave your comment under a name that only I would know, like "Your Manager From the Gallery in Scottsdale" or "The Person Who Accused You of Stealing my Graphing Calculator Freshman Year at ASU" or "Your Mother." Or else you can just leave your name and buck up for the ensuing mud-slinging. I get it all the time--it's not so bad.

I ask this so I can see the world from some different perspectives, not so I can raise you-know-what. I need help, is all.

Ready? Go!

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35 Comments:

Blogger Cristin said...

I'm voting for McCain not because I really like him all that much, but because I believe in conservative ideas like "less government." Obama wants too many social programs for my taste.

BTW, I listen to NPR all day long, by choice. Have you ever heard "This American Life" - it's the best. You can download the podcast off iTunes. I definitely recommend it.

October 6, 2008 at 8:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Newsflash world: Mormons can be democrats and not go to heck! I believe that in this election, Obama will be the better president for the country OVERALL. McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, right? Obama is the only candidate that will bring REAL change. We might as well try out his ideas instead of just keeping things the way they are. Maybe his plans will help support and save families; there's a small chance they won't, but the possible benefits of his presidency make it worth a giving a shot. The rest of the world will keep laughing at us if we let this opportunity pass us by as we are in this devastating financial crisis!

October 6, 2008 at 9:08 PM  
Blogger Camille Elise said...

You know, don't think I'm crazy but I always get a little weirded when i'm on my computer and I get an email from you but in the corner a box comes up and it says, "email from camille". Then i remember- DUH!

October 6, 2008 at 9:43 PM  
Blogger iheartmesa said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

October 6, 2008 at 10:31 PM  
Blogger Kathryn said...

Okay, time to bust out my opinion. Okay, Mormons can be a democrat and not go to heck, but the real reasons why I'm voting for McCain (although he is not my favorite of all time) are because:

#1- Abortion: Have you read Obama's abortion beliefs? He is as liberal as they come. If you don't believe me, just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo Obama can't deny that he voted agaist a measure 3 times that would prevent more babies from being left to die after a failed abortion. Abortion is sickening to me, but this is even more unacceptable.

#2- The war. He has said the war is a mistake and is lost. I disagree and I don't trust him with terrorism. I believe there are freedoms in Iraq now. Freedoms that many of those people would have never tasted if it wasn't for the help and blood of our country.

People say they want change. But in answer to "anonymous", is changing the supreme court to rule more in favor of abortion supporting the family? Is placing someone in the presidency who believes in higher taxes going to help my family? Sure he says he only taxes the rich, but who is his rich? Is it the business man who employs my husband who is the single provider for our family that Obama considers rich? What happens if that "rich" business man can't afford to employ another father or mother because his taxes were raised. Is that going to help the family? Do you know how much of my husbands hard earned money goes to support many a person who is on welfare who is just plain being lazy? I'm not talking about the ones that are down on their luck, but the ones that have really decided to become lazy because it is easier to have the government pay you to be lazy than to get a job. What about Obama's views on the fact that it is okay to redefine marriage. Is that going to save the family? And if you look at who was trying to put stricter laws in force on the mortgage companies, it wasn't Obama and his cohorts. It was actually McCain who was leading efforts to regulate the mortgage industry when they were giving loans to anybody and everybody. If there were stricter laws and regulations for mortages then we wouldn't be in this financial mess, but some politicians (Obama included) felt that would limit some people's slice of the American dream. Sorry, but some people just weren't ready for their slice and now we have it all over us.

Frankly, I don't give a hoot at what the world thinks of us. There is a reason America is different. I've been outside of America. I've visited other countries. Most of the ones that think we are silly are the ones that have terrible family values. And you wonder why I don't give a hoot, it's because I don't want to be them. Besides, if you look at history, other countries have hated us from the get go. If you want to be liked by Europe, go live in Europe.

I don't believe we should keep things the same. I think we need more Americans to stand up and start FIGHTING for what is right. Changing it to someone who is just going to push us farther from what is right is not going to help.

So "anonymous" can you tell me one way that you feel Obama will help support and save the family?

You just had to go a do a political post didn't you.

October 6, 2008 at 10:53 PM  
Blogger chelsie said...

How do you get stuff of the left of your posts? I could only get stuff on the right.

October 6, 2008 at 11:27 PM  
Blogger Melissa said...

Amen to what Kathryn said.

October 7, 2008 at 2:34 AM  
Blogger HeatherPride said...

Well I vote for Laurie Notaro, because she is one of my favorite favorite authors of all time!! Great choice on books, btw. Read her other stuff - it's better!

October 7, 2008 at 7:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Millie,

You're brave. Good luck on this one. We've already discussed this, so you know what I think.

October 7, 2008 at 7:42 AM  
Blogger Jami said...

I amm not a huge fan of EITHER obama, or McCain. I just think politicans are really selfish. BUT, I don't like Obama MORE. But I am very dissappointed with the republican party.

October 7, 2008 at 7:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. I'm voting for Kathryn.

October 7, 2008 at 8:38 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect society or a perfect world, so there will never be a perfect candidate to choose from either. Politics is probably my least favorite subject, but because you asked, I'll pipe up on this one and say that I'm voting for McCain/Palin. Overall, I agree a lot more with their viewpoints on major issues than I do with Obama, such as taxes, abortion, healthcare, the war ect... No one person is going to fix this huge mess that our country has gotten itself into overnight and it can't be blamed on any one individual. American's have got to stop sitting on their asses pointing fingers at each other and blaming the current president for where we're at. Only we can make a difference and real change is going to take time.

October 7, 2008 at 8:49 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Newsflash: Mormons can say hell with out going to hell!

You say that you want proof. There isn't any. There is evidence, but none of it is conclusive. Ever. It is a problem when you say you want to vote for the "right" candidate because it presupposes that there is a right cadiadate. "Who is the right candidate?" is a loaded question.

The next move might me to ask "who is the right candidate for me?" the problem with this is that it assumes individual relativism and that has many unpleasant implications such as that abortion can be okay.

Q. What should you do then?
A. Become a political skeptic and decide not to vote (a course of action that is just as valid as voting!).

bRAD

October 7, 2008 at 9:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Frankly, the main reason the U.S. is ridiculed from other countries is because Americans are the country's own harshest critics. People that do not agree with the values of our founding fathers talk trash about our country and this feeds foreigners to do the same. Why do I care about what other countries or other people think about me or the U.S.? I am going to do what is right regardless. And, if you're going to "think for yourself" JUST for the sake of being different, it's kind of foolish. Your choices should be based on your own values, not on what other people would think, and not just so you can make a decision that's unique and different from your family.

October 7, 2008 at 1:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Political skeptics" is just another way to say "lazy people who don't want to bother with voting, so they try to take the easy way out"

October 7, 2008 at 1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't trust McCain or Obama. I do trust Palin and basically Biden. I am curious what would happen if Obama were prez. I think it would help us financially for a while, but it wouldn't be worth the social anarchy it would cause. The voice of the people will rule whether good or bad. It is the last days, remember.

October 7, 2008 at 2:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

@ anonymous No, it doesn't mean a person who is lazy and doesn't want to " get informed." Rather it means exactly what is implied by it's constituent parts, ie a person who (in one sense) doesn't choose between two wrong choices.

bRAD

October 7, 2008 at 2:40 PM  
Blogger RatalieNose said...

It bothers me that Obama says he only taxes the rich. So his plan is to tax the people who have worked the hardest??? The richest people in America are the ones who have tried to make something of themselves and have spent their time and energy to make of themselves what they are. And on the other hand, the people who haven't done an honest days work in their lives and who live off of government funding are going to sit back and let the hardworkers take care of them? Is that what you call constitutional??

October 7, 2008 at 3:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

on the issue of abortion (and I understand this is an opinion)- social programs will help reduce the abortion rate more than trying to overturn the Supreme Court. If abortion is made illegal, then all those who want abortions won't have trouble getting them illegally anyways, right? It's not that hard to do. As for the gay marriage thing- issues like that come down to the state ultimately. Look at California, for example. One must look at the overall benefits a president will give the country before becoming so passionate about issues that have little effect that their overall mindset is blurred. I'm not criticizing anyone for their views, I respect anyone who is willing to read into politics, but I am asking for one to look at both sides of an argument before become so heated and disrespectful.

October 7, 2008 at 3:48 PM  
Blogger Allison said...

I say GO Obamarama! Palin scares the daylights out of me.~A

October 7, 2008 at 4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am not thrilled with either candidate this year, so I understand your confusion and indecision. Personally, when I can't decide on a person, I have to go with party lines. And so I'll vote for McCain. I really like Obama personally and I think he would be a great asset to our country, but I don't believe in socialized government. I believe in less government. I don't want any politician - Republican or Democrat - deciding my healthcare issues, my investing strategies, my small business set up. I think that Obama promises a lot of really great things, but you have to ask yourself where the money will come from to fund them, and the answer will always be my taxes. McCain is no saint and he certainly has a voting record that I have questioned, but I would rather err on the side of less government, less regulation, and ultimately less taxes. So I'll vote Republican.

October 7, 2008 at 4:55 PM  
Blogger Ryan said...

Not voting is laziness in its purest, most absolute form. Not voting is political castration. Not voting is not using your voice. If you cannot make a simple choice between the two presidential candidates, use the write-in space.

October 7, 2008 at 7:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

By not voting you are deafening people with your silence. Not really gonna do a whole lot.

October 7, 2008 at 7:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I saw a great bumper sticker....republican - we work so you don't have too. lol It so true. I believe in less government so I am voting for McCain. We don't live in a unitarian society or the law of consecration...yet. Socialized government sound great at first but it really isn't. Ask your canadian friends up there how long they have to wait for knee surgery or cancer treatments. not fun!

October 7, 2008 at 7:39 PM  
Blogger Kathryn said...

A few things I have come to realize with politics is that it is very difficult to change someone's political beliefs. I am passionate about my beliefs because I do look at both sides. I do research, separate from what some journalist has done. I don't just listen to what Obama and McCain say they will or will not do. I look at their record and their past judgments. I make very thoughtful conclusions.

But my views are not views that have "little effect." I would say taxes, terrorism, ect. have a huge affect on my everyday life. The next president will have power, for good or for bad (and it makes me sad at the two choices). Sorry I seemed disrespectful, but I don't like feeling as though people just want to give Obama a try - unless you sound like you fully understand what he is willing to try out on us Americans.

Also, as far as abortion, should we make drugs legal because people seem to get those real easily? Yes, I feel that we need social programs to change the mindset of the people, but people often look to the supreme court for their mindset. I don't see anything in Obama's past that would lead him to help change America's mindset that abortion is wrong, but he can nominate justices that are pro-abortion - which he said he will.

October 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

don't worry about it, kathryn- you're fine. i respect your beliefs although we differ:)

October 7, 2008 at 9:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN. WE WILL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH IF THE RIGHT PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED.

October 7, 2008 at 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

look at what you started....

October 8, 2008 at 1:13 PM  
Blogger Geevz said...

Either way, history will be made. I'm pretty excited to see how it turns out. They both talk about "change" all the time. But change is very difficult and takes time. I don't think people realize that a large amount of our government's decisions are not the president's. Why don't we hear more about our congressional candidates? Collectively they will have just as much influence. I have decided we should just switch to a proportional representation system so our votes actually do something.

Until then, McCain because I want more control over where my money goes.

October 8, 2008 at 11:25 PM  
Blogger JoeinVegas said...

Oh, so many opinions. But you asked so we might as well all throw in.
I'm an Obama guy, not because he is so tremendous but because the other side is so bad. I think the US has gone way downhill for the past eight years, and McCain will just continue what has been going on (Mavarick? heck no, not voting with 90% of the time). No more Iraqs, no more poor economic judgements, and how McCain just jumps? Palin is obviously not the best (not even in the same ballpark, whatever that means) she was just chosen to win the election. Imagine if he dies in office, Palin as pres? I love hocky moms, but don't want one for president, I want the best person for the job.
And a conservative supreme court if McCain appoints? No thanks, that stays for years and years and has a much larger impact. Let women do what they feel is best, along with all the other things that the court could rule on.
And I do care what the world things. Our finances are tied to the world (as proven this week), our security and all our trade agreements. If Iran and Russia and Korea think we are a joke they then feel free to do as they please.
So me, Obama, not because he is great but because he is the lesser of two evils.

October 9, 2008 at 9:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxgSubmiGt8&feature=email

October 9, 2008 at 1:16 PM  
Blogger Loralee Choate said...

I'm a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, so talk about being stuck in a purgatoryesque HELL.

I hate both people running and their VP picks, so for the first time in ANY election (Local or national) since I was 18, I do not think that I am going to vote.

October 9, 2008 at 8:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

girly, i hope you find out what you truly believe is best. remember to never let anyone else control what you think! ( i think you already have a good handle on that). i just think it's so sad when people vote based only on what they hear from the people around them- people who have no true credibility- instead of researching both sides the issues themselves and figuring out what's true and what isn't! BE YOUR OWN PERSON! VIVA LA VIDA! :)

October 9, 2008 at 8:11 PM  
Blogger kayleen said...

what election?

i'm confused.

October 12, 2008 at 6:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Palin rules.

October 13, 2008 at 2:36 PM  

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