I live in a country full of idiots
< political rant '04 >
Pure and simple. I mean no offense to anyone, but if you feel that way, too bad, this is my opinion on the matter.
I know we're a society of laziness, but I'd at least hoped we had a majority consensus of desire for progress and accountability. Apparently not quite.
Abortion
Gay Marriage
Fiscal Responsibility
International Relations
Religios Faith
Scientific Progress
Environmental Protection
Personal Attitude
Military Strategy
These appear to me to be the main issues behind the election, some for very good reasons, others not so.
Many other people will not share my view, but I do not care. My life and my experiences are different from theirs. I do not rely on religion to make my decisions for me, as so many people do. I rely on my personal observations and concrete evidence to assist me in making my decisions. It is my life to live, I will not have ANYONE to tell me how to live it. PERIOD. Not friends, not religious advisors (solicited or not, DEFINITELY not unsolicited), not family, and not politicians, ESPECIALLY not the president of this country.
There are many things I respect: honor, responsibility, integrity, creativity, intelligence, progress, accountability, simplicity, tranquility, cooperation, independence, forthrightness, and many others.
Things I do not respect are cowardice, untruthfulness, underhandedness, unequality, deceptiveness, inability to take accountability for one's own beliefs.
Now that you know my bias, on to the issues:
Abortion - this was decided a generation ago. Roe v. Wade. Apparently the Supreme Court just isn't quite high enough authority for some people -- they must let their religion tell them otherwise.
Gay Marriage -- "Land of the free..." "...unless you're black or gay or Cherokee..."
-- once again, a 'higher authority' dictates many peoples prejudices, but with the added danger of homophobia thrown into the mix. Several states individually have legislated against this, either tonight or previously, yet despite BOTH candidates opposition to allowing it, this issue was STILL used against the Democrats.
Fiscal Responsibility -- Moving from a HUGE surplus, to the LARGEST deficit in HISTORY, with no obvious plan to fix or even change course on this strategy, somehow doesn't raise enough of an alert to many people. Mortgaging the financial future of the ENTIRE FUCKING COUNTRY on what appears to be a toss of the dice in Vegas doesn't strike me as a sound policy.
-- When questioned about not ONCE vetoing a spending bill from the Legislative branch, while simultaneously slashing taxes, Bush showed his blatant, potentially fatal ignorance of the "system of checks and balances." As the supreme authority of the Executive branch, the President is responsible for checking the actions of the Legislative branch, and maintaining balance. His response of (to paraphrase) "that just shows what you can do when you have cooperation between the House, Senate and President" (implying that since both the House and Senate were Republican controlled, he as a Republican President didn't need to worry about what they were doing, as the Party would not steer him wrong)
International Relations -- worsening public opinions both internally and internationally about the American Public will not assist the military in the indiscriminate "War on Terror"
Religious Faith -- Faith is important for some people, but not for all. I respect Faith as a matter personal belief and guidance, but deplore it's abuse to be used as a crutch to allow the willful neglect of intelligent, individual thought.
Scientific Progress -- this is the true future, the only way our nation will advance and prosper. We are rapidly approaching (if not already past) the point in history where we can continue to neglect the proper nurturing and encouragement of scientific progress if we are to remain viable as one of the top 10 countries in the world. Selling scientific advancement off to the highest bidder in allowing corporations to provide the majority of the funding will only allow advancement in areas that can quickly turn a profit, and are NOT always in the best public interest, as opposed to the best bottom line. We will continue to advance, but at a much slower, much less socially useful pace. It's only a matter of time.
Environmental Protection -- the environment is important to me. It's where I live. I only have one world to live on, and I don't enjoy seeing it trashed. I don't care if it's better for some megacorporation, or even some small business owner's bottom line, I want to have a safe world to live in, and maybe eventually raise a family in. Please stop conspiring to trash or auction it off to the highest bidder.
Personal Attitude -- one candidate may have the personality of a waffle iron, the other of a college buddy. Personally, I'd rather have the one who can look at more than one side of an issue, rather than one who ALWAYS acts with a cowboy bravado irregardless of the consequences. Unfortunately apparently the majority of people would rather have the guy who would be more fun to have a beer with sitting in the most dangerous, responsible public job in the world. That or the guy who claims religious guidance for many of his actions. It's one thing to try to come across as a pious individual on some issues, if you follow up such an act with a life of religious integrity. To put forth such an act on some issues, but act like an arrogant jackass on others, that does not lend itself toward maintaining that image (at least not to those of us who are not blinded by religion)
Military Strategy -- this is not my specialty, it is outside my area of experience, but it seems that controlled spending and controlled strategy should be important in this. At least to me. But then what do I know? I'm not in the military, nor do I make their decisions. I just pay for it in terms of taxes (or maybe not currently but I'm sure I will in the future when someone corrects the fiscal irresponsibility of the last four years, using MY and OUR futures as the world's largest credit card)
Watching the commentary this evening, the comment that this race basically came down to "science versus religion" stuck with me. When the choice came down to a dangerous man who abuses faith to carry his message, vs. a less than inspiring individual who is more open to social and scientific progress, I do not feel comfortable with the way the nation has become divided twice in a row now. It seems as if we are two nations divided by ideology. The South and Central being more of a Faith-based, traditional nation, while the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and West Coast being more socially progressive and less fearful of change.
We supposedly hired a "uniter, not a divider" four years ago. The nation is still divided along the same stereotypes.
Unfortunately, when people vote with their heart instead of their mind, for an individual running for a position requiring coherence and demonstrated intelligence rather than emotional action, it can be a very, VERY dangerous thing.
The time for change has come and gone, America. I hope you're fucking happy. Good luck surviving 4 more years of the same, I know I'm going to need it.
Who will it be to salvage the pieces left over? Clinton/Edwards? At least there won't be an incumbant to go against at that time.
By now if you're still reading this, you can probably guess what way my vote went, but do not assume it paints my political affiliations. Like my religious philosophy, while I respect the loyalty such things inspire, I prefer to think for myself, and choose the candidates whom I feel to be most qualified for the position to better our nation, or at very least best able to stem the damage that has already been done.
< /political rant '04 >
Pure and simple. I mean no offense to anyone, but if you feel that way, too bad, this is my opinion on the matter.
I know we're a society of laziness, but I'd at least hoped we had a majority consensus of desire for progress and accountability. Apparently not quite.
Abortion
Gay Marriage
Fiscal Responsibility
International Relations
Religios Faith
Scientific Progress
Environmental Protection
Personal Attitude
Military Strategy
These appear to me to be the main issues behind the election, some for very good reasons, others not so.
Many other people will not share my view, but I do not care. My life and my experiences are different from theirs. I do not rely on religion to make my decisions for me, as so many people do. I rely on my personal observations and concrete evidence to assist me in making my decisions. It is my life to live, I will not have ANYONE to tell me how to live it. PERIOD. Not friends, not religious advisors (solicited or not, DEFINITELY not unsolicited), not family, and not politicians, ESPECIALLY not the president of this country.
There are many things I respect: honor, responsibility, integrity, creativity, intelligence, progress, accountability, simplicity, tranquility, cooperation, independence, forthrightness, and many others.
Things I do not respect are cowardice, untruthfulness, underhandedness, unequality, deceptiveness, inability to take accountability for one's own beliefs.
Now that you know my bias, on to the issues:
Abortion - this was decided a generation ago. Roe v. Wade. Apparently the Supreme Court just isn't quite high enough authority for some people -- they must let their religion tell them otherwise.
Gay Marriage -- "Land of the free..." "...unless you're black or gay or Cherokee..."
-- once again, a 'higher authority' dictates many peoples prejudices, but with the added danger of homophobia thrown into the mix. Several states individually have legislated against this, either tonight or previously, yet despite BOTH candidates opposition to allowing it, this issue was STILL used against the Democrats.
Fiscal Responsibility -- Moving from a HUGE surplus, to the LARGEST deficit in HISTORY, with no obvious plan to fix or even change course on this strategy, somehow doesn't raise enough of an alert to many people. Mortgaging the financial future of the ENTIRE FUCKING COUNTRY on what appears to be a toss of the dice in Vegas doesn't strike me as a sound policy.
-- When questioned about not ONCE vetoing a spending bill from the Legislative branch, while simultaneously slashing taxes, Bush showed his blatant, potentially fatal ignorance of the "system of checks and balances." As the supreme authority of the Executive branch, the President is responsible for checking the actions of the Legislative branch, and maintaining balance. His response of (to paraphrase) "that just shows what you can do when you have cooperation between the House, Senate and President" (implying that since both the House and Senate were Republican controlled, he as a Republican President didn't need to worry about what they were doing, as the Party would not steer him wrong)
International Relations -- worsening public opinions both internally and internationally about the American Public will not assist the military in the indiscriminate "War on Terror"
Religious Faith -- Faith is important for some people, but not for all. I respect Faith as a matter personal belief and guidance, but deplore it's abuse to be used as a crutch to allow the willful neglect of intelligent, individual thought.
Scientific Progress -- this is the true future, the only way our nation will advance and prosper. We are rapidly approaching (if not already past) the point in history where we can continue to neglect the proper nurturing and encouragement of scientific progress if we are to remain viable as one of the top 10 countries in the world. Selling scientific advancement off to the highest bidder in allowing corporations to provide the majority of the funding will only allow advancement in areas that can quickly turn a profit, and are NOT always in the best public interest, as opposed to the best bottom line. We will continue to advance, but at a much slower, much less socially useful pace. It's only a matter of time.
Environmental Protection -- the environment is important to me. It's where I live. I only have one world to live on, and I don't enjoy seeing it trashed. I don't care if it's better for some megacorporation, or even some small business owner's bottom line, I want to have a safe world to live in, and maybe eventually raise a family in. Please stop conspiring to trash or auction it off to the highest bidder.
Personal Attitude -- one candidate may have the personality of a waffle iron, the other of a college buddy. Personally, I'd rather have the one who can look at more than one side of an issue, rather than one who ALWAYS acts with a cowboy bravado irregardless of the consequences. Unfortunately apparently the majority of people would rather have the guy who would be more fun to have a beer with sitting in the most dangerous, responsible public job in the world. That or the guy who claims religious guidance for many of his actions. It's one thing to try to come across as a pious individual on some issues, if you follow up such an act with a life of religious integrity. To put forth such an act on some issues, but act like an arrogant jackass on others, that does not lend itself toward maintaining that image (at least not to those of us who are not blinded by religion)
Military Strategy -- this is not my specialty, it is outside my area of experience, but it seems that controlled spending and controlled strategy should be important in this. At least to me. But then what do I know? I'm not in the military, nor do I make their decisions. I just pay for it in terms of taxes (or maybe not currently but I'm sure I will in the future when someone corrects the fiscal irresponsibility of the last four years, using MY and OUR futures as the world's largest credit card)
Watching the commentary this evening, the comment that this race basically came down to "science versus religion" stuck with me. When the choice came down to a dangerous man who abuses faith to carry his message, vs. a less than inspiring individual who is more open to social and scientific progress, I do not feel comfortable with the way the nation has become divided twice in a row now. It seems as if we are two nations divided by ideology. The South and Central being more of a Faith-based, traditional nation, while the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and West Coast being more socially progressive and less fearful of change.
We supposedly hired a "uniter, not a divider" four years ago. The nation is still divided along the same stereotypes.
Unfortunately, when people vote with their heart instead of their mind, for an individual running for a position requiring coherence and demonstrated intelligence rather than emotional action, it can be a very, VERY dangerous thing.
The time for change has come and gone, America. I hope you're fucking happy. Good luck surviving 4 more years of the same, I know I'm going to need it.
Who will it be to salvage the pieces left over? Clinton/Edwards? At least there won't be an incumbant to go against at that time.
By now if you're still reading this, you can probably guess what way my vote went, but do not assume it paints my political affiliations. Like my religious philosophy, while I respect the loyalty such things inspire, I prefer to think for myself, and choose the candidates whom I feel to be most qualified for the position to better our nation, or at very least best able to stem the damage that has already been done.
< /political rant '04 >