The Election
I usually stick to one hard and true rule: I never discuss politics or religion. This rule came about in high school when one of my favorite teachers taught me they are too heated to ever conduct a civil conversation. For years I've held true to this however these past 2 historic days have caused me to break that rule.
100 years ago a non-white male person in the US was the equivalent of nothing. African Americans were counted as less than a person. Women weren't heard at all. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers were granted the right to vote and be heard after much pain, debate and cruelty. The world changed for the better. Over the past 50 years African Americans fought long and hard to be seen as equal. Men and women died for this right and the world again changed for the better. Here we are, at the beginning of another amazing change in our nation's history. We have our first African American president.
Now, a lot of others attribute this win to racism, sexism, and ageism. The polling data (from Gallup) backs up these allegations for the most part. 99% of African Americans voted for Obama. 19 to 29 year olds came out in droves for Obama. 56% of women pulled the level in favor of Obama as well. The numbers reflect large portions of certain groups identifying with Obama.
Now I'm a 28 year old, hispanic woman and my vote was cast for Obama. While there are aspects of his platform that I don't completely agree on (Head Start, NCLB) I see eye to eye with the majority of his views. For example, I'm a devoted Catholic, but I believe in a woman's right to choose. While its not something I would EVER consider, I feel the verdict of Roe v. Wade needs to be upheld at all costs. 53% of other Catholics voted with me.
Is it suspect that 99% of African Americans voted for the African American candidate. No. If I were an African American, I would have voted for him too simply on that aspect. This was a moment they all got to live the dreams they have watched white Americans live they entire life. Its not like they were electing a gang banging drop off to the highest office. They elected a well educated, open minded man who happens to be the same color. They voted for the person they connected with the best. The same way 64% of gun owners and 59% of veterans voted for McCain.
I think John McCain is an American hero and treasured Veteran. However, being a POW doesn't give you the key to the castle. In my very humble opinion McCain sunk his campaign the day he named Palin as his VP choice. I wasn't necessarily "undecided" but once I learned about her and her beliefs it was clear I wasn't crossing the aisle and voting Rep. Why should the VP candidate deter me?
You have a high visible black candidate in a still very racist country and a rather old (72 years old) man who has had health issues in the best. The likely hood that these men could die or be killed was quite high and if this were to happen while they were in office, Palin or Biden would be named Commander in Chief. I'd rather the highly educated D.C. vet over the new comer "outsider". She is too conservative for me. Plain and simple.
I've always been a Democrat. I've always voted Democratic. The party's base of views and beliefs most reflect my own. After the past 8 years of progressive decent into the recession we are currently facing and being lead by a President who barely made Cs in school. The majority of the nation wanted a change. The presidency wasn't the only election that went from Rep. to Dem -numerous house seats switched too. Change means actually changing. As simplistic as it may be (and we've seem it before in 1992 with Bush and Clinton) when the economy is in such a poor state the incumbent party usually doesn't retain their office.
I respect those who a line themselves with the Grand ol' party and their ideals. Hard-core republicans in NYC aren't a dime a dozen. So to hold true to those beliefs here and in other metro areas is a sign of strength and courage. What is upsetting me these days is that hypocrisy of a few of them and how they are living up to the title of "sore losers". Who wants to move to another country? Who wants to contest the outcome? So on and so forth. The measure of a person isn't how they react when they are on top its how they act when things don't go their way. This is a time that we when we are living history and instead of stepping back and taking notice of the amazing event that has taken place they are whining and resorting to name calling.
Had the tables been turned and President-elect McCain was in transition we would still be living history by welcoming the first female VP. That would be momentous! While I would be just as critical I'd still be a proud American. I wouldn't be threatening to leave the country because regardless of the winner the process works. Regardless of who is holding the office - this is STILL the greatest country in the world and its our job and duty as Americans to live up to the hype. There are parts of our country that haven been forgotten, where Americans are living in conditions that mimic those of 3rd world countries. Children starving, drinking contaminated water, families living in filth with no means of fixing it. We need to get past the ME mentality and really put our money where our mouths are, step up and help our new administration. Its clean our current administration couldn't be bothered with it (Katrina anyone...) so hopefully the incoming administration will live up to its promises.
*steps off soapbox*
100 years ago a non-white male person in the US was the equivalent of nothing. African Americans were counted as less than a person. Women weren't heard at all. Our grandmothers and great grandmothers were granted the right to vote and be heard after much pain, debate and cruelty. The world changed for the better. Over the past 50 years African Americans fought long and hard to be seen as equal. Men and women died for this right and the world again changed for the better. Here we are, at the beginning of another amazing change in our nation's history. We have our first African American president.
Now, a lot of others attribute this win to racism, sexism, and ageism. The polling data (from Gallup) backs up these allegations for the most part. 99% of African Americans voted for Obama. 19 to 29 year olds came out in droves for Obama. 56% of women pulled the level in favor of Obama as well. The numbers reflect large portions of certain groups identifying with Obama.
Now I'm a 28 year old, hispanic woman and my vote was cast for Obama. While there are aspects of his platform that I don't completely agree on (Head Start, NCLB) I see eye to eye with the majority of his views. For example, I'm a devoted Catholic, but I believe in a woman's right to choose. While its not something I would EVER consider, I feel the verdict of Roe v. Wade needs to be upheld at all costs. 53% of other Catholics voted with me.
Is it suspect that 99% of African Americans voted for the African American candidate. No. If I were an African American, I would have voted for him too simply on that aspect. This was a moment they all got to live the dreams they have watched white Americans live they entire life. Its not like they were electing a gang banging drop off to the highest office. They elected a well educated, open minded man who happens to be the same color. They voted for the person they connected with the best. The same way 64% of gun owners and 59% of veterans voted for McCain.
I think John McCain is an American hero and treasured Veteran. However, being a POW doesn't give you the key to the castle. In my very humble opinion McCain sunk his campaign the day he named Palin as his VP choice. I wasn't necessarily "undecided" but once I learned about her and her beliefs it was clear I wasn't crossing the aisle and voting Rep. Why should the VP candidate deter me?
You have a high visible black candidate in a still very racist country and a rather old (72 years old) man who has had health issues in the best. The likely hood that these men could die or be killed was quite high and if this were to happen while they were in office, Palin or Biden would be named Commander in Chief. I'd rather the highly educated D.C. vet over the new comer "outsider". She is too conservative for me. Plain and simple.
I've always been a Democrat. I've always voted Democratic. The party's base of views and beliefs most reflect my own. After the past 8 years of progressive decent into the recession we are currently facing and being lead by a President who barely made Cs in school. The majority of the nation wanted a change. The presidency wasn't the only election that went from Rep. to Dem -numerous house seats switched too. Change means actually changing. As simplistic as it may be (and we've seem it before in 1992 with Bush and Clinton) when the economy is in such a poor state the incumbent party usually doesn't retain their office.
I respect those who a line themselves with the Grand ol' party and their ideals. Hard-core republicans in NYC aren't a dime a dozen. So to hold true to those beliefs here and in other metro areas is a sign of strength and courage. What is upsetting me these days is that hypocrisy of a few of them and how they are living up to the title of "sore losers". Who wants to move to another country? Who wants to contest the outcome? So on and so forth. The measure of a person isn't how they react when they are on top its how they act when things don't go their way. This is a time that we when we are living history and instead of stepping back and taking notice of the amazing event that has taken place they are whining and resorting to name calling.
Had the tables been turned and President-elect McCain was in transition we would still be living history by welcoming the first female VP. That would be momentous! While I would be just as critical I'd still be a proud American. I wouldn't be threatening to leave the country because regardless of the winner the process works. Regardless of who is holding the office - this is STILL the greatest country in the world and its our job and duty as Americans to live up to the hype. There are parts of our country that haven been forgotten, where Americans are living in conditions that mimic those of 3rd world countries. Children starving, drinking contaminated water, families living in filth with no means of fixing it. We need to get past the ME mentality and really put our money where our mouths are, step up and help our new administration. Its clean our current administration couldn't be bothered with it (Katrina anyone...) so hopefully the incoming administration will live up to its promises.
*steps off soapbox*