This is a subject that I am very passionate about. It has been the source of tension in many discussions I have had with people, especially with my own family members, and they are on my side! I am a life long Democrat, I have to admit, it's scary to say that amongst fellow church goers that usually sway for the elephant party. (Please do not bring torches to my door at night or disk me because of this) Regardless of their party backers, I think we all can agree, that the Presidential race is a popularity contest and who has the most money. I am doing my part to be involved in the voting process, as a county election official, and I have taken great joy doing so, for the last three years. I haven't missed a election since I started, and though it is boring to some, I have so much fun doing it, even if I seem to be the youngest person working.
This election, I have no idea who I am going to vote for. I don't vote for my party just because, like some people do! I usually have a thing for the underdog, but I am realizing, that my vote doesn't matter anyways, it's all up to the delegates who get wined and dined during election year. It makes me mad, I can't help but think I may have to vote for Mickey Mouse this year. You would be surprised how many people do! But nothing makes me madder when people vote for someone just because of their faith, race, gender, sexual preference, political party, their looks, their war record, and because their parents or spouses tell them to!
I am conflicted, and I am sick of all the money going down the drain on stupid ads, fuel wasted on their trips, and all the money making a elaborate fancy expensive four day events, like the Democratic convention! I am sure the Republican one would be just as bad! Can you tell I was disappointed when I auto tuned the convention on Monday night, and found out it was going to go on for four days, who has the time! I love the news, but I am so sick of the coverage of this race! In the world we live in, isn't there anything else to cover? I am also mad at the fact that the media seems to want a war with Russia, but that is another story! Please if you read this blog, think before you vote! Look at all of the candidates, compare their soon to be broken promises, and back grounds. I think their voting record has a lot to say about who they are, and it seems like that is ignored by a lot of people. As far as beliefs go, that is what people choose them over, but if you look at their records, you may find out, it doesn't matter. Because they often say what ever we want to hear, and what ever is popular at the time. They are all guilty of this, and they all are flip floppers in one way or another. That is all I am going to say about this subject, I could write about it forever, but I am not going to waste anymore time, after the race, I will try to detox myself from it, as usual and focus supporting America as we all should.
5 years ago
7 comments:
It is great that we have people like you who help out at the polls and are interested in politics. You talked about the reasons people vote for one person over the other- that is primarily because of the lack of knowledge American citizens have into what each party believes and what the candidates "promise", their voting records, etc. I love that the Democratic Convention is on right now. If people watch it, maybe they will become more knowledgeable about the party, the party's bigwigs, and the party's candidates. The same with the Republican Convention when it comes on. It is interesting to me that when someone says that they are a Republican or Democratic they have no idea what the other party actually believes- they harp on the big war and abortion issues but there is so much more to it. I bet if you stopped someone on the street and they were able to tell you what party they belonged to, they would not be able to tell you what makes the Republican party the republican party and what makes the Democratic party and democratic party. Interesting.
Anyhoo, I dont usually like talking politics-it gets everyone overheated. But I do think that most people need to educate themselves about each party, not just the one they think they belong to. It's the people who only listen to the Rush Limbaugh's or only the Thom Hartmann's who are the most uninformed.
BTW- there is nothing wrong with being a Democrat, and it sounds like you are smart about your voting decisions, basing your vote on the person and not the party!:-)
Thanks, Lori, are you sure you aren't a burnette? You are right, even though I can't stand watching the hoopla of it all when it comes to the conventions, I switch it when it's time for a big speech. I can't help it, I am addicted! And of course, I watch and listen to the Republicans too, with a open mind...I haven't decided yet who I will vote for, I am waiting for MCGain's running mate but if it is Rommney, I think it would be cool, but I am not going to vote for him JUST because he is good looking and Mormon! One thing I totally agree with what you said about asking strangers about who they are voting for and why, it's true, and sad that most people are so ill informed and shallow when it comes to their reasons. I think it has a lot to do with social statis and age too, on why people choose not get involved.
Hang in there, Jen. I'm pretty disgusted with the party system we have as well...
My mom was a die-hard democratic in her younger days. Can you say "Vice-President of the Young Democrats of Utah?" I can't imagine that made her very popular. My dad was always republican. We talked a lot of politics at my house. It's always kind of amazing to me when people really don't think about it.
I asked my father-in-law (who is great) what party my mother-in-law (even more beloved) belonged to once a few years ago because Chris didn't even know and she didn't happen to be around. He said she could vote for whoever she wanted and it was none of his business. I was like, "???!" As if knowing what someone thinks is the same as controlling what they think. He didn't even know. They have been married for over 30 years and it has never come up?! I asked him what party he tended to vote for and he told me. Turned out they had almost identical views...it's not like it was going to cause an argument. That was so hard for me to wrap my mind around. I totally don't care if someone disagrees with me. I disagree with myself sometimes.
So, for me it's like this: Do I vote for the Democrats--who I think have a seriously socialist platform--or the Republicans--who I don't trust at all. I wish Ron Paul were still running. At least he was straight about the money stuff.
A few years ago, I spent hours and hours researching the party platforms -- those "statements of principle" that the parties put together that supposedly say what the party stands for and what it wants to see in government. (You'd think those would be highly publicized, but I had to dig deep to find them!)
I found out that of the 24 points of the Democratic party platform, I agreed with four, disagreed with 18, and had no opinion or understanding of two. Of the 16 points of the Republican party, I agreed with 13, disagreed with two, and strongly disagreed with one. Hence, I guess I tend to lean Republican. But I always vote for the candidate, not the party. And this time, I'm leaning very much toward that write-in candidate: Mr. "None of the above". People who are truly smart enough to do a good job in the office are way, way too smart to get into politics. Anyone who would willingly subject themselves to the treatment the media gives our leaders needs to have his or her head examined to start with. I wish more Americans were interested in truly learning about the candidates and their performance, and would drive the media to fairly and accurately report what is actually going on in government, and abandon their pre-occupation with the hype, spin, and manufactured controversy. And why is the media even covering Paris and Britney and Hannah? When was the last time you heard about what Pres. Bush was doing? Do you think he's dropped off the planet, the way it appears, based on the lack of media mention of him?
Amen, brother!!
Even among Republicans, no one is voting FOR McCain, just AGAINST Obama. Now throw Palin in the mix! How fun!
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