Politics... meh
Disclaimer: I in no way claim to be an expert in anything, much less anything having to do with politics. I more often than not avoid the subject, as it sickens me. However, despite this mentality, random conversations of the day have prompted me to speak on the subject. This will be lengthy, for that I apologize. Fear not though, as it will probably be another 28 years before it happens again.
I am registered to vote as an independent. This is due not to any negative feelings towards one party or another, but rather to the partisan system as a whole. It's one thing when a group of like-minded people form a group. It's another thing entirely when people (not saying all of them, just a heavy-sized chunk) use said party as a crutch to avoid thinking. "Why should I bother spending time thinking about the issue, I belong to Party X. Since they hold ideas like mine I'm sure that I can vote with them without worry." Bullshit. There are people guilty of this both in and out of office. I believe all Americans of age should vote. I also believe that none of the people should do so without becoming fully informed about the candidates, or issue, involved. With informed decision the system works, uninformed voting got us G.W.
Barack Obama is a frighteningly charismatic man. During the election even I found myself so swayed by the way he called out all the real trouble involved in the lack of cooperation in the government that he won me over. He spoke of efficiency and ideals long lost to the petty arguments of left wing versus right wing, and of the absolute need for change, and more specifically compromise, should things improve. In this aspect the man read my mind, as well as enough other Americans to get voted in. The danger in this strategy has been showing through ever since he was elected. It was foolish on my part, and I'm sure others have come to the same conclusion, to believe that anything he could do would change the back and forth lack of progress Washington has come to represent. It was a glorified solution without a realistic way to get there. It's a nice and idealistic sentiment, and one I truly believe Obama believes in, but unfortunately the potent nature of the corruption of the capitol makes it little more than just that.
Speaking of being idealistic, this rambling now turns to health-care. Do bear in mind that this is the field I am employed, though admittedly at a bit of a grunt level. The idea that everyone should have access to affordable quality health-care is idealistic, noble, and shows a compassion for life in general. That said health-care, like all things, needs to be paid for in some way. One of the big points Obama has pushed in his speaking on the subject is the inefficiency of the system. Of tests being performed again and again when the results of said tests could simply be sent out to the second, third, etcetera seeking the information. Efficient managing of medical information would be a great step in the right direction to both cost, and time involved in treatment. It wouldn't be enough. The remainder of the funding will have to come from somewhere. That somewhere will undoubtedly fall to the American people. Make no mistake while the main burden of the cost will undoubtedly hit the well to do, every American will face the costs in one form or another. This may be direct tax increase, or it may be large corporations raising prices on goods and services to cover the losses of the forced humanitarianism. I want to stress this point. The big focus, and the part of this that is spawning protests all over the board, is the fact that people who have clawed their way into successful positions (no, I'm not one of them) would be morally obligated to help those who have not been able to do so for themselves. I believe very much in the need for people to help those in need. The situation isn't as cut and dry as that. While there are those out there that truly deserve the help this would provide, the greater majority of this would boil down to those who are able to succeed in a financial sense being forced to foot the bill for those who can(or will) not do so for themselves. This will enable a further sense of lethargy from a great many people, and will teach them that sitting back and leeching from those people industrious enough to pay for it is not only socially accepted, but is in fact their right. This is lunacy! One of the greatest things about this country is our opportunity to work for greatness. We are blessed to live in a place where we are able to strive to be more than what we were born into, more than anything except for the limits we place on ourselves. Forcing people to give up what they have taken the effort to earn in order to care for those who have not is little more than placing the yoke around the neck of the willing to give the unwilling a ride in the wagon. That's just a little too socialist for me. Also, and more to the biggest point of all, basically everything the government gets its hands on doesn't work. Think of all the waiting in line we do for something as simple as a birth certificate. Do you really want that to be how health-care operates. Nay says I, nay. I understand how cold this sounds, believe me I really do. The bottom line is that I do believe and wish that everyone could have proper health-care. I just don't see how it can be anything more than an idealistic dream even if it is one we all wish could come true. It is getting late, and I've rambled way too much. I apologize to those this may offend. I also want to again point out that I am not accustomed to politics, as I said the futility sickens me. The above is my opinion, and in no way implied to be fact. I've been proven wrong before. ::end::
I am registered to vote as an independent. This is due not to any negative feelings towards one party or another, but rather to the partisan system as a whole. It's one thing when a group of like-minded people form a group. It's another thing entirely when people (not saying all of them, just a heavy-sized chunk) use said party as a crutch to avoid thinking. "Why should I bother spending time thinking about the issue, I belong to Party X. Since they hold ideas like mine I'm sure that I can vote with them without worry." Bullshit. There are people guilty of this both in and out of office. I believe all Americans of age should vote. I also believe that none of the people should do so without becoming fully informed about the candidates, or issue, involved. With informed decision the system works, uninformed voting got us G.W.
Barack Obama is a frighteningly charismatic man. During the election even I found myself so swayed by the way he called out all the real trouble involved in the lack of cooperation in the government that he won me over. He spoke of efficiency and ideals long lost to the petty arguments of left wing versus right wing, and of the absolute need for change, and more specifically compromise, should things improve. In this aspect the man read my mind, as well as enough other Americans to get voted in. The danger in this strategy has been showing through ever since he was elected. It was foolish on my part, and I'm sure others have come to the same conclusion, to believe that anything he could do would change the back and forth lack of progress Washington has come to represent. It was a glorified solution without a realistic way to get there. It's a nice and idealistic sentiment, and one I truly believe Obama believes in, but unfortunately the potent nature of the corruption of the capitol makes it little more than just that.
Speaking of being idealistic, this rambling now turns to health-care. Do bear in mind that this is the field I am employed, though admittedly at a bit of a grunt level. The idea that everyone should have access to affordable quality health-care is idealistic, noble, and shows a compassion for life in general. That said health-care, like all things, needs to be paid for in some way. One of the big points Obama has pushed in his speaking on the subject is the inefficiency of the system. Of tests being performed again and again when the results of said tests could simply be sent out to the second, third, etcetera seeking the information. Efficient managing of medical information would be a great step in the right direction to both cost, and time involved in treatment. It wouldn't be enough. The remainder of the funding will have to come from somewhere. That somewhere will undoubtedly fall to the American people. Make no mistake while the main burden of the cost will undoubtedly hit the well to do, every American will face the costs in one form or another. This may be direct tax increase, or it may be large corporations raising prices on goods and services to cover the losses of the forced humanitarianism. I want to stress this point. The big focus, and the part of this that is spawning protests all over the board, is the fact that people who have clawed their way into successful positions (no, I'm not one of them) would be morally obligated to help those who have not been able to do so for themselves. I believe very much in the need for people to help those in need. The situation isn't as cut and dry as that. While there are those out there that truly deserve the help this would provide, the greater majority of this would boil down to those who are able to succeed in a financial sense being forced to foot the bill for those who can(or will) not do so for themselves. This will enable a further sense of lethargy from a great many people, and will teach them that sitting back and leeching from those people industrious enough to pay for it is not only socially accepted, but is in fact their right. This is lunacy! One of the greatest things about this country is our opportunity to work for greatness. We are blessed to live in a place where we are able to strive to be more than what we were born into, more than anything except for the limits we place on ourselves. Forcing people to give up what they have taken the effort to earn in order to care for those who have not is little more than placing the yoke around the neck of the willing to give the unwilling a ride in the wagon. That's just a little too socialist for me. Also, and more to the biggest point of all, basically everything the government gets its hands on doesn't work. Think of all the waiting in line we do for something as simple as a birth certificate. Do you really want that to be how health-care operates. Nay says I, nay. I understand how cold this sounds, believe me I really do. The bottom line is that I do believe and wish that everyone could have proper health-care. I just don't see how it can be anything more than an idealistic dream even if it is one we all wish could come true. It is getting late, and I've rambled way too much. I apologize to those this may offend. I also want to again point out that I am not accustomed to politics, as I said the futility sickens me. The above is my opinion, and in no way implied to be fact. I've been proven wrong before. ::end::