Showing posts with label Voters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Voters. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Martin Luther Who?

 I love man on the street interviews.  At least I would if I knew the people answering the questions would never be allowed near a ballot box.

Take MLK for starters.  An article on Inforwars.com  is enough to make you wonder if we educate people at all in this country.  Some thought he just died, another thought he died at the ripe old age of 93.  At least they knew he was dead.  It gets worse.  One thought he was the first African American to walk on the moon. Another, the first African American on Mt. Rushmore. Oh, of course not! That would be Obama.  How dumb are they?


I have to give credit where credit is due.  Those questioned seemed to know he was African American but were a little fuzzy in the history department when suggesting he was a popular general in the confederate army and gave the Gettysburg Address.  Rest in peace Reverend King. We're still trying to over come.  Just not the same things.

Here are a few other gems that this particular interviewer came up with.  Obamacare supporters signed petitions to support post birth abortions up to age 3 and making the euthanasia of senior citizens mandatory.  You can imagine how much I loved that one!

Some supported Karl Marx to be the next President and agreed not liking Mexican food was a "racist form of bigotry".

I know when people are on camera they don't want to look foolish and these interviewers love 'gottcha' questions, but really. Unfortunately it isn't laughable; it's downright frightening!

Just when I think it couldn't get any sillier, I guess this final one takes the cake.  Many signed a petition to grant Obama immunity for all crimes he commits while in office. Since so many of the targeted were Obama supporters it makes me wonder just what it is about him they support.

They obviously think he has committed crimes.  I wonder if it's the idea of putting drugs into fruit drinks and calling it 'abortion in a can' or adding birth control drugs to our drinking water.

Given the circumstances, I could think of a few petitions of my own I'd like them to sign.  One would be anyone participating in a man on the street interview of this sort must first surrender their voter i.d. card.  If in fact they have one. Oops. That would be racist wouldn't it.




Monday, November 11, 2013

Red State Blues

Maybe Iowa and New Hampshire have the right idea.  I don't  believe either state should have the power in choosing our political nominees that they do because I don't think either is representative of the country as a whole.

That being said, what they do have is access to the candidates up close and personal.  What better way to assess a person than in person?

That's why I was so excited to see a headline in the local paper heralding the fact that Chris Christie was coming to northern Idaho!      Okay, he wasn't coming to campaign for himself but to help raise funds for our Governor.  I understand the need for fundraising, but it sure cuts out the little guy.  Especially in this economy.

Sure, the masses will be able to see him at a rally for a whole half hour for $50 a pop.  Oh well.  Out of my budget.  The big spenders will be able to attend a VIP reception for $1000 per couple.  Way out of the budget!

The problem is, this is likely to be the only time he comes close.  If he actually runs he may make a token visit to Boise, the capital, but that's it.  It's because we're such a solidly red state, the Republicans don't bother with us because we're a given.  The Democrats stay away too for the same yet opposite reason.  We're just here.  Taken for granted.  Do we have unaddressed concerns?  Does anyone really care?

It's back to voting by guess and by golly.  I can do no more to inform myself than to read as much as I can.  I didn't do enough of it with Obama and I've vowed not to make the same mistake twice. Listening to stump speeches tell me little and are so repetitious I get to the point of tuning them out.  Listening to the talking heads gives no more than slanted insight from those I feel sometimes are even less informed than I am.  It's perplexing.

I don't know if I'll still be interested in Christie when it gets closer to the presidential sweepstakes, but I'd have a better sense if I could actually see him.  Feel a handshake.  Is it strong?  Look him in the eye.  Do his eyes meet mine? Listen to him speak.  Is there a dynamic the television mics don't pick up? There is certainly the matter of context.

Back to business as usual. Reading, listening and trying to figure out the being within from afar.  No wonder we make so many bad decisions at the ballot box.  In most cases we haven't a clue for whom
we're voting!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Inequity Of Finally Voting


Fast forward to November 6.  We've listened to the debates, we've read all the analysis and hopefully sorted out all the misinformation. Now it's time to vote.

There has been a lot of controversy about how we should go about this.  Frankly, if the Federal Government wants to do something for the people, they should come up with a voting procedure applicable to the nation, implement it and enforce it.  It is, however, no easy matter.

A lot of the controversy revolves around voter identification.  One fear is it might lead to a national identification card.  Actually I have no problem with that if it would also serve as a national driver's license among other things.  But I digress.  With the over abundance of illegals in the country siphoning off our tax dollars and abusing what should be citizen only privileges, it is suspected that many also vote.  In some states they are actually allowed to vote in local elections.  I don't agree with that practice, voting should be for legal citizens only.  How do we accomplish that without a concrete form of identification and at what stage must it be produced? At registration would seem to be the most reasonable but then when you actually vote would be an added safeguard.

There is a wide range of voter I.D. laws across the country. Everything from photo to none at all. To go even further, it's not even consistent within many states as to how you register, vote absentee or in person. What sense does it make to have to show I.D. when you vote in person but not have to when you mail in your ballot or when you register?

The video shows not only how easy if is to register in Minnesota, but how utterly without concern the election workers seem to be. One worker admitted any fraud discovered would be after the fact and caveated that after all they are not the police.

A lot of states have only mail in voting.  Others resist the method for fear it will lead to fraud.  I wonder what safeguards are in place for those states that have it?  Even for those who don't, but where one can still vote absentee by merely asking for a ballot by mail certainly aren't immune from shenanigans.

Considering all the time, money and effort that is poured into the campaigns,  all the voter has to put up with and sift through to make an informed decision, I'd like to think that whoever ultimately wins does so in a fair election process.

We worry about it so much with emerging nations that we often send observers to make sure everything is fair and square.  Why don't we do the same here?  Or is this when we say, "Do as we say, not as we do"?

.

Friday, February 12, 2010

What If You Don't Have A Computer?

Tonight there is a "chocolate walk" in downtown Coeur d' Alene. Hub and I thought about going but there was no ad in this morning's paper telling times and places participating. I spent the next while going through the weeks papers until I found the one. One ad. In it we were told to go to a web site.

I got to thinking about how often we hear that. The local news always tells us if we want a more complete story go to their web site. So do all the network news shows and the cable shows. Even Jon Stewart will post an over long interview.

My computer space is not unlike the one pictured. I spend way too much time here. How many, however, don't have a computer or ready access to one? It must be frustrating for them if they want to dig deep into a story. Newspapers don't go into nearly the depth they did awhile back. Budget restraints. Smaller paper, fewer reporters. More and more news to investigate. Not a heartening equation.

Then there are those who don't have a computer nor do they read a newspaper. If they get news, it's the sound bites that pass for it. I'm assuming those without computers or papers do have television. It is the mass media of the moment. Computers soon will be.

Computers are a luxury becoming a necessity. In the meantime does the broadcast media have an obligation to get away from the soundbites and actually report the news? British Broadcasting does the best job of anyone at the moment but I'd guess it's not available everywhere.

I worry about our uninformed electorate. They still vote. As issues and policies become more complex and confusing how will they decide who to vote for with limited information or information skewed by political philosophies? Will it merely be the person they like best? The one they relate to? It will be interesting to see if the Republicans can unearth a candidate that will counter the cool, elitist image of the President. One who understands what the people are saying. Could it be a "personality" like Scott Brown or Sarah Palin? Should it?

Web sites will have analysis twenty four seven as elections draw near. Television tends to be reducdant and papers skimpy.

Will those with only televisiont be a class of voter unto themselves? How will they figure into the results? Or are they too insignificant to matter?

Just wondering.

Friday, October 24, 2008

No Wonder Congress Is In The Tank!

Wow. We haven't even gotten through this election and the run has begun for 2010!

Joe, whose real name is Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, the Plumber, who is not even a licensed plumber, wants to buy a company he claimed would earn over $250,000 a year. According to Ohio records it's estimated taxable revenue is under $100,000. He earns around $40,000 and has a lien against him for non-payment of taxes even though he may not know that little tidbit. He wants to run for Congress!

Yep. So says a brief article on The Hill's Blog Briefing Room. Laura Ingraham was quoted as saying, "There is a movement afloat to draft you to run for Congress. Joe, let me tell you something: you decide to run for Congress and I'll help you with your PR, I'll help you do your ads, I mean I'll volunteer to help you."

You know what? She probably would. Talk about not vetting a candidate!

Okay, the generational divide in me has surfaced. Here is a man who asked a good question of a candidate and the candidate's answer was less than it should have been. I'll give the story that, but that's as far as it should go. But who is this guy and why on earth would you want him in Congress? To follow in Ted Stevens' or William Jefferson's footsteps?

I've often thought that throwing the whole sorry bunch out and starting over again was a good idea. Not if this is what we're going to get!

The media gets blamed for a lot. Slanted reporting. Absolutely. MSNBC has turned into FOX left. I used to like MSNBC but they are just as slanted now as FOX only in the opposite direction. Talk radio is even worse. That is where the majority of the hate mongering is happening. Rush Limbaugh. Laura Ingraham.

What's it all about? Ratings? That this man be glorified even after learning about his credibility? The same as Sarah Palin was placed on a pedestal before we even had a look at her?

A week to go. This go round will be over. When it is, whoever wins will have my support. He will be our President. We owe that to the office. It's serious business to me. A leader will be chosen for those of us on Main Street as well as those on Wall Street. As important, if not more so, a leader for the world.

But we've been forewarned. The fun and games will continue. Personality outweighs substance. The gravity as I see it is apparently not shared. You'd think 9/11 and the current economic meltdown would have taught us that politics is not a game and the penalty assessed for not playing it well can be catastrophic.

Yet ugliness and thoughtlessness rules. Don't worry though. Just go shopping. One VP nominee did and seems none the worse for it.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Pretty Palin

"Pretty woman walkin' down the street
Pretty woman, the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman, I don't believe you
You're not the truth

No one could look as good as you
Mercy"
In all fairness, what's "hot"in Alaska may not pass muster in the D.C. social scene. The hair definitely needs some work; the gown - eh. Can't see enough of it. But $49,425.74 at Saks and $75,062.63 at Nieman's? WOWSER!

I'm sure glad to know political contributions are put to good use. After all we wouldn't want our potential Vice President looking like a pig in lipstick! Hmmm. Speaking of that, I wonder just how much of the $4,716.49 of the hair and make up expenditures actually went to lipstick!

Julia Roberts she ain't but with a fashion consultant and a budget, well, anything is possible!

Now I do know a little bit about these stores. A lot of my dressier clothes have come from Nieman's. Otherwise it's LL Bean or Murdochs. I know Saks and Nieman's are upscale but in my wildest dreams I'd have trouble spending bucks like that - even if I were in my prime and lived somewhere where the clothing might actually be appropriate.

I really feel sorry for Hub. He likes to buy me nice clothes but a fortune could have been saved had he had the foresight to declare me a charity. Then maybe those high tone threads could have come my way free - or well discounted. After all, they'd have been worn!

Here's a link to an actual catalog . Go ahead. Browse through it. Pick out your $75,000 worth of duds. See if the Republican donors are getting their money's worth.

Now in consideration of the Fairness Doctrine I want the DNC to fess up. How much did you guys put forth for Michelle Obama? Come on now. We want our potential First Lady to look every bit as good as our potential VP.

What about the men? Ah, a tux is a tux. Basic black is always in style. Can you tell if it's a Tux Shop rental or a Brooks Brothers hand tailored? I'll bet those Country Club Republicans and Limousine Liberals can!

What the heck. It's good for the economy.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A Few Observations From Middle America

We've been to the banks of the Mississippi and back this past week and the trip was an eye opener.

First though, about the photo from my last post. Tropigal gets the gold star. The half body of the drinking fountain, the legs, standing in front of the Body Shop. Maybe you had to be there! The thing is I hadn't noticed the irony until I had the picture developed.

Okay. Middle America. Observation number one. This probably has to do with the time of year one travels but I had no idea how many sunflowers are grown in the Dakotas. Field after field of drooping heads all along the Interstate. It must have been spectacular a month ago.

More middle America.

If one is to go by the campaign signs McCain is going to win in a landslide. We did not see one single Obama sign from Idaho to Iowa. Even in the university towns of Ames and Iowa City the signs posted were all McCain/Palin. University towns, other than in Idaho, are usually bastions of liberalism.

There cannot possibly be one skunk left living between Idaho and Iowa; the highways at times seemed to be paved with them.

Ranchers and farmers do not like Obama's "spreading the wealth" idea one bit. It's easy to understand why. For them it's feast or famine depending on their harvest. If they are heavily taxed in a good year they'll have nothing to carry them through a bad one.

Our first night out we were having dinner in Miles City, MT. The debate was on the TV in the bar. While fully visible from our table we tried to ignore it and enjoy our meal but the cowboy at the next table was exercised. Finally he had to get it out of his system and spent the remainder of our time there extolling everything wrong with Obama's thinking. It was an interesting lesson in the economics of ranching.

That first evening turned out to be the norm. No matter where we were or where we ate, the dinner table conversations surrounding us were all about Obama and his economic plan. None of those conversations were applauding it.

I found out just how many people drive gray or silver cars when I watched who passed us in fog so thick we couldn't see the fog line.

Once again I was reminded again of how beautiful western Montana is this time of year. It is the peak season for the Tamarack warriors resplendent in their gold armor advancing up the mountain sides.

We're home safe and sound. Bacchus was a real trooper. The laundry is in progress.

Oh, yes, one last thought and apologies to Al Franken. Rush Limbaugh is still a big fat idiot. He should be hung and quartered for the hatchet job he did on Colin Powell yesterday.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Portrait Of A Frustrated Voter

I was sorting through some family keepsakes, getting things gathered to donate to the museum in my folks hometown, when I came across an old World War II ration book. Along side the coupons are tokens, a schedule letting you know when you could get certain items and an old civil defense volunteer armband.

I got to thinking maybe I should explain why I am so passionate about the upcoming election and frustrated with what I've been seeing. You see, these items belonged to my Mom and Dad. I was very young at the time but not so young that I don't remember what sacrifice meant to everyday Americans. And why that sacrifice was necessary. We were just coming off the Great Depression and entrenched in World War II.

We had strong leadership then - Roosevelt. He knew how to soothe or persuade - whichever was necessary. He never told us to go shopping. In fact, he prevented us from doing so! He talked to us.

I remember working in the victory gardens everyone in the neighborhood had. I developed a taste for tongue and heart and liver because we could get organ meat and Mom was a fantastic cook. She could and did make everything taste good. She made all my school clothes. There were no $100 Nikes, iPods or cell phones. If there had been no one would have bought them and the technology would have been applied to the War effort first.

As I grew up my interest in politics waned as one might expect. The war ended, the country stabilized. There was so much of interest going on. I loved school and band and my dance band and Friday night football games. Yes. I was a kid then and I loved every minute of it. I look back and treasure those memories. Today's kids are growing up so fast. Sex and drugs far too soon. One mistake and poof, no more childhood. And oh, my, what they missed. Being a kid.

My college years were a mixed bag. Our worst vice was maybe taking up smoking or guzzling 3.2 beer on the weekends. Even then loose girls were received with a raised eyebrow.

On the serious side I remember Nikita Khrushchev visiting our campus and men in trench coats prowling around roof tops with strange looking cases. The fervor over John Kennedy. Many of my classmates were veterans of the Korean War attending school on the GI bill. We had a large international presence. I dated Iranians, East Indians, Egyptians and Africans without giving it a second thought, yet I would not go out with a black basketball player from New York. Questions began to stir within me. I was learning how to look at myself, who I was and what options lay before me.

I remember Kent State with students lying dead, shot by our own National Guardsmen for protesting; I remember the National Guard being called out in cities across the country to quell race riots. Kennedy's death. I was watching live TV when Lee Harvey Oswald was murdered by Jack Ruby; Martin Luther King's death, the attempt on Gerald Ford, the attempt on Ronald Reagan. All unsettling times.

I remember Vietnam and the young men who came home. One friend, still in the Army, couldn't look at rice nor hear a car backfire. He had problems. He saw a letter from a male friend on my desk and threatened to break a chair over my head. That was the end of that relationship. My own brother-in-law came back with an alcohol and drug problem that caused his untimely death. It was a tough time for those who served. It would seem we still haven't learned the lesson that was taught.

Time marches on and maybe it's an old fogey thing. I'm not sure. But when I listen to the pundits on radio and television calling the events of this election like it's a play by play on Sunday afternoon football I get mad. Nothing going on today is a laughing matter. It's bad enough they don't handle it with the seriousness nor the depth of understanding it deserves, but it's worse that they don't appear to understand much of it themselves. There is really no one to explain it to those who are going through some of these things for the first time. Those of us who try either do not articulate it well enough or are considered less then credible because - what? We're old?

McCain, who lived through these time, isn't explaining things. Who better could? And why isn't he? Chanting he knows how to fix everything doesn't cut it. Where has his leadership been all these years?

Obama isn't explaining either. How can one lead us into the future without an understanding of our past? Is it okay that they, along with the rest of us, are bewildered by this massive breakdown and the speed with which it seemed to occur? Of course, in reality, it wasn't speedy at all. Everything just culminated all at the same time. Where was everybody?

It is not okay to pretend they know all the answers. They do not. I would rather hear that admission along with a pledge to do the best they can to find the right people, regardless of party, to get it l sorted out. The posturing and blame gaming of Barney Frank and his ilk does not inspire confidence in me. Many in Congress were part of the problem in the first place.

Every one of us is concerned about how and when things are going to shake out. We're angry and we're attacking anything that moves - in anger, without rationale. It is disturbing to witness. It's like the entire country is on the brink of a nervous breakdown and our shrinks are running around in little tight circles, the worst of us all!

The wars are not going to end tomorrow. Humans seem never to learn the cost and futility of them. They will continue to drain our treasury which really isn't so much ours any more. It will continue to kill our young men and women. A drain on our future talent. This is no laughing matter.

If ever there was a time for a clear head and a steady hand , one that realizes the seriousness of the circumstances in which we find ourselves and the courage to be honest about how difficult extraction from these circumstances is going to be, it is now.

This is why I'm so frustrated with the tone of the campaigns and the caliber of the candidates. We are walking on very thin ice. I've been there, I've seen it; I've lived it. Lessons not learned. Actions not taken or taken merely to give the appearance of doing something. This is nothing new. History has a way of repeating itself because our attention span is short if we pay attention at all.

There was a question in one of those "man on the street" columns just this last week. It asked the participants what they thought of Sarah Palin. Out of six only one even knew who she was and he was Canadian. The other five are all of voting age. Where have they been? Do you want them to vote?

Writing this hasn't really made me feel any better but it does bring to mind a question; can there be worse things than rationing books? You bet. In a time of national crisis there can be a lack of them.

Monday, September 29, 2008

What Was Pelosi Thinking?

The gavel had barely fallen when the Republicans were out in force blaming Nancy Pelosi's speech at the end of the rescue plan debate for causing the vote to fail.

If ever there was a time for leadership to take a conciliatory stance this was it. Especially with so many house members facing re-election. But no. She had to use it as a campaign diatribe of her own blaming the Bush administration for everything and touting how wonderful the Democrats are. Not even all of them agreed with her. Ninety five Democrats voted against it! That's leadership?

The Senate comes next. Oh, boy.

Back to Pelosi. Here we have a woman, a seasoned politician and Speaker of the House leading the way on a serious and delicate matter. Where was the deft hand? Instead of encouraging the vote why did she have to throw it in the administration's face? This was not the time for politics as usual.

A seasoned, experienced politician. An extremely partisan politician. A slip up of major proportions. These things happen. They shouldn't. I expect our leadership, no matter the party, to know when to be prudent.

McCain claimed that by his presence all was well. It was not. Another seasoned, experienced politician. Do we really want a light weight waiting in the wings?

We've potential wars looming all around the middle east, we've natural disasters on our own turf we have yet to figure out how to handle, the next President will have the responsibility of getting this financial mess back on track. I want that President to have a number two that can look all these issues straight in the eye and know how to deal with them.

What I don't know is what we will get.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

When Stereotypes Reign We've Got Worries

Truth will out. First Obama wasn't black enough for the black community and now, as I've long suspected, he isn't white enough for the white community. In other words racism still has a stranglehold on the American public.

An AP poll bears this out. In search of why the Presidential race is closer than it should be and if there is indeed latent racism among the voters, these words were tested regarding blacks. Boastful - 22% agreed, violent - 20%, lazy -13 %, irresponsible -11%. Those percentages may not seem high but lumped together with the one quarter of white Democrats who stated, "if only blacks would try harder, they could be just as well off as whites," it does not bode well.

I find a couple of things of interest here. The fact that the thousands of Black Americans who have achieved great success remain under the radar. And the fact that none of the above test words in any way begin to describe Obama, the individual. Until we as a people can get beyond this, all people of color, any color, will continue to wage an uphill battle. The squeaky wheels like Josh Howard of the Mavericks will continue to get the spot light while the exceptionally able like Barack Obama will continue to struggle. It is not an indication that we as a people are making much progress in over coming our prejudices.

The second point that interests me is how this applies to gender. Hillary Clinton broke through so many of those stereotypical barriers in her quest for the nomination, the pendulum named gender has swung the opposite direction. Her success opened the door for a woman who is minimally qualified for the office she has been offered the opportunity to attain.

I conclude from this that had Hillary been the Black, she'd have not even been in the race and had Obama been white it would be all over but the shouting.

What a sorry state of affairs this is!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Media And Messianic Politics

I browse a lot of the international press websites. There is often information there we do not get in the U.S. as well as a perspective on us that we usually don't have of ourselves. Such is the reason for this post.

I'm hoping this will be one of, if not the, last post I do on Sarah Palin. However, with all the hyperbole regarding Obama's former pastor, Reverend Wright, I find it interesting to learn Ms. Palin also has a rather controversial minister behind her.

First I would like to lay out some speculation. The obvious is, the sooner we quit obsessing over Ms. Palin, the sooner she will go away. John McCain is the Presidential candidate.

Considering how little regard McCain has for the office of Vice President, I do not see Ms. Palin being given much to do after the election. McCain wants it too much to "share" it with his V.P. I would guess he harbors some chauvinistic tendencies that also contribute to this assumption. Therefore, I assume, he is "using" her strictly for political expedience rather than for what she brings to the ticket. He needs the Christian Conservatives and the women who will fall for this ploy.


That being said, the following headline caught my attention on the London Times online site: Palin linked electoral success to prayer of Kenyan witchhunter . The first paragraph reads : "The pastor whose prayer Sarah Palin says helped her to become governor of Alaska founded his ministry with a witchhunt against a Kenyan woman who he accused of causing car accidents through demonic spells."

That should be enough to give you the gist of the story. One can never be sure how much is true but it is worthy of a read and especially a look at the video that is referred to.

I admit I do not relate to the thigh slapping, rapture inspiring rhetoric of a lot of religions. I am more the type who appreciates a greater power by watching the squadrons of geese looking for wintering grounds this time of year. Or my fence line of awesome sunflowers, as big as dinner plates, in full bloom. I left behind the idea, long ago, that faith and doom and gloom are compatible.

Neither is "faith" and political expediency. McCain left behind his Episcopalian faith to become a Baptist. There is nothing wrong with this but I do look at the timing and question why.

Ms. Palin is very open about her faith, but it is important to know what it is that faith espouses. Watch and listen to the video clip. Form your own opinion.

I'm personally very uncomfortable with what I saw and heard. I'm also very uncomfortable with the fact I had to visit a London paper's link to learn of it.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Experience Is More Than A Word

"It depends on what the meaning of the words 'is' is." - Bill Clinton. Who'd have thought the Republicans would learn to be as adept at redefining the language as was Bill Clinton! Now, let's take the word "experience".

We've been hearing how "experienced" Sarah Palin is. Experienced in foreign policy by virtue of having a State National Guard, executive experience from being a small town mayor and Governor for a year and a half of a sparsley populated state. Technically all this is correct. Let's translate it into the real world.

Let's look at her education. Where did she graduate in her class and what was her grade point? Was she at the top of her class like Obama, barely graduating like McCain or somewhere in between? What did she do between graduation and becoming a mayor? I'm sure it's out there; I'll admit I haven't taken the time to look. Where is the media?

A small town mayor. One of my very good friends was the mayor of one of our local small towns of about the same population. She was a great mayor. She is not, however, qualified by that "experience" to run the Executive Branch of government, what's more the country.

Hub was in the Air National Guard. That did not give him the "experience" to be commander-in-chief. During his career he travelled the world. I often travelled with him. What does that mean? Did I travel the world with him or did I travel from Bellevue to Sea-Tac to put him on a plane? Actually I did travel the world with him but it gave neither of us foreign policy "experience" except in his field.

While change in the way Washington goes about it's business is long over due let's be realistic about how that's likely to come about. It's not going to happen by redefining language or candidates to fit a word. It's going to take a keen understanding of what the problems are, a sincere desire to make it happen and the know how to navigate the barriers that will be faced.

I have enough problem with three Senators in this mix because of characteristics that seem to invade their beings by osmosis; I have no patience with an insider want-to-be who is allowing herself to be defined for the sake of what? Winning? Ego? Power?

This campaign is all about change. Both parties are touting it. The question is which type of change do you want? What does your "experience" tell you?

Thursday, September 04, 2008

My Political Quandary

Tonight, thank heavens, is the last night of the conventions. Hopefully McCain has practiced his speech to the point he can deliver it without putting me to sleep. It's important to hear what he has to say. After all, he is the nominee and he and his take on the issues are what need to be compared to Obama's. Not Sarah Palin's.

I'm going to be in a quandary now. As most of my readers know, I've been a Republican most of my adult life. I switched to Independent with somewhat Libertarian leanings when I became interested enough in politics to really pay attention.

So here is my quandary. There are a lot of Obama's programs and tax and spend philosophy I don't agree with. The poor house is already too close for this old lady. There is no way he can raise the monies necessary for his programs by taxing only the rich and closing corporate loopholes. What I do sense is genuine concern for us and sincerity about changing the way the government goes about it's business - which, of course, is ours.

On the Republican side, I have no idea what John McCain really believes about anything other than it seems to be his God given right to be President. The maverick in him scares me more than it represents change.

One thing to remember is that no matter who wins, he can do no more than Congress allows. Unless the Bush practice of signing statements, which in effect, allows the administration to ignor that which they have just signed into law, remain a common practice.

I would be happy if every incumbent in Congress was thrown out of office. Their performance is that dismal. Will the Alaskans sent Ted Stevens back to the Senate? Will Louisiana send William Jefferson back to the House? Both are under indictment and both are likely to be re-elected. I'm weary of the "throw all the bums out except ours" that keeps these people feeding from the public trough. Our trough.

So tonight is important. Will McCain give a speech of substance and delineate some actual policy or continue the sarcasm from last night? Time will tell. Obama, at least, still holds to his word to run a different kind of campaign.

No matter, however, it's time to pay close to the Congressional races too. The government tends to be totally dysfunctional when one party holds both the White House and the Congress. The question is who do we want where?

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

What If They Throw An Election And No One Comes?

I'm marking time until the results are in tonight and the speeches have been made. I've certainly turned into a junkie.

I see Hillary is still being coy and playing word games. I'm still uncomfortable about the scenario that lurks in the wings. So I'll offer up a few thoughts while waiting.

Did Obama make some judgemental errors by not working harder in West Virginia, Kentucky and Puerto Rico? It has given Hillary a run of wins and the likelihood of winning South Dakota tonight. It adds credence to her argument.

Should Obama offer the vice presidency to Hillary? Neither she nor her people should demand it. There is no grace in that. If he does I hope there is some sort of agreement that the position is not a twofer and Bill is not welcome. Lot's of luck.

Should Obama help pay off Hillary's campaign debts? Dangerous territory. I know if I had scraped together $50 or $100 several times over to contribute to his war chest, I'd not like to see it going to Hillary, no matter what the circumstances. Besides, why should second place make demands of first place?

Is Hillary's real intention to so weaken Obama he can't win? We don't know at this point. The same could apply to her. Has she weakened herself to the point voters who might have supported her might turn away in disgust. Just as Obama needs many of those who are her fervent supporters, she too needs those who are his.

McCain is less than inspiring. Being his turn is not enough for me to vote for him. His grasp of the issues is disheartening and his condescending comments aimed at Obama are anything but presidential. Obama is not naive. After all, at 47 he is within hours of getting the Democratic nod. How long has John McCain taken to find a field weak enough to make him look good by comparison?

Depending on how things shake out between now and the conventions, we could go from record numbers of new and enthusiastic participants in the political process back to the "ho hum" business of old.

There could actually be record low turnouts. Anyone want to make a wager which it will be?

Monday, June 02, 2008

Brain Trust

Every time I go to the doctor I get a knot in my stomach. Usually for no good reason other than knowing it will be another reinforcement of the fact I'm getting old and have the ailments that accompany the process.

Then I watch the story about Ted Kennedy, a 76 year old not in the best of health in the first place, coming through what was anticipated to be six hours of surgery in three and a half. Plus, he was awake throughout and spoke with his wife immediately after. Wow. Step one has gone well and I sincerely hope his recovery process continues on such a positive note.

The government health plan is extremely generous. In addition, with his personal wealth, Kennedy can afford the best medical care the country has to offer. Then there are the rest of us.

A few weeks ago I had some blood work done. Routine stuff that we elders have done at least once a year. One of the tests was not covered by medicare. Hub wants to know which one and why. Me too.

Obama has promised the American public that we will be offered health coverage to match what those in Congress have. Hold him to that; hold any of the candidates to that! Medicare reimbursements to doctors are being cut to the point they actually lose money by having we old folks as patients. Many conditions and tests are not covered. More and more doctors are declining to take on medicare patients. It's an uneasy feeling.

I try not to bother my doctor more than necessary, but when it is I resent feeling like a financial burden. I don't resent the doctor, I resent the law makers who have put us in this position.

Concern about this area of our lives seems to be one of the Democrats strongest issues. One thing for sure, we are all going to face the need for greater and better medical care as we age. We all strive for that rather than the alternative. Science is obliging us but funding the service end of the deal is failing us.

I don't know if Hillary is going to eke out the nomination or not. If Obama prevails, as expected, I can think of one area in his administration where she would excel. Health care. She has the experience albeit it a bad one. If she is as smart and capable as her legions believe she is, she'll have learned from those mistakes and would make one ferocious champion for those of us who increasingly need one the most and are the least able to fend for ourselves.

Being the best niche player out there could leave her with a better legacy than being president!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Is The Die Cast?

I figure by starting now maybe we can get more than 21.37% of the people to the polls in November though I have my doubts.

While the local results did not surprise me, it's always curious why more people don't bother to vote. It can't be the inconvenience factor. Absentee voting is becoming more and more popular. Those who are against vote by mail on the premise that "uninformed" voters may be more inclined to vote should look at the absentee numbers. What's the difference? It is voting by mail!

If it's not inconvenience, it must be a lack of interest. Well, no. That doesn't wash either if you're into the blogging community. The best coverage of yesterday's elections is on Huckleberries this morning. Especially since it includes reactions.

This go round I'm not going to denigrate either the candidates or the voters. The candidates did their part. They got involved and ran for office. With all the rights that have been taken from us lately, I applaud the voters who did their part. They exercised their right. It's one we still have and should exercise!! They've told those who did neither what they think, how they feel and who they want running things. They will have their way.

It will be interesting to see who prevails in November. My guess is it will be pretty much what the primaries are telling us now. If you're not happy with the results you can do something about it. If you voted and the results didn't go the way you'd have liked, well, that's democracy. If you didn't vote and you don't like the results, well, you know, everybody still can. In November!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

A Lesson to Be Learned?

Today is primary day in Kootenai County. It isn't quite three o'clock in the afternoon, but the threads on Huckleberries, our local online news source, reports turnout has been dismally low. I had been talking with a neighbor earlier and she had totally forgotten today was election day! I mentioned there was still plenty of time. The reply was a shrug of total disinterest.

Thinking about the Democratic primaries we have been watching for what seems like forever, got me to wondering about why there is so little interest on the local level. Odd, the heated battles for the minds of the people seem to be on the various blogs - not in the press. Blogs are not the most widely read choice the people have but they contain the most information - good and bad.

Candidate forums have been few and far between and voter guides lacking. I look at the fervor generated by Obama and Clinton and wish we had it on the local level. We have issues that have hearts pulsating and tempers flaring on a multitude of issues - yet little is spelled out,  except on the blogs.

The best the voting public has been given by the press is lackluster endorsements of less than inspiring candidates and half page ads for but a few of those running, listing supporters. If you don't know where the candidate stands, read their ads. The names of the supporters tell you everything you need to know. If you know who the players are in the community. Otherwise they'll be meaningless.

How many people read them? Probably very few. How many people will know what issues the supporters endorse? Probably very few. Most of what we get is eye pollution along our streets and highways. Signs of the times. What are we supposed to do? Pick the candidate with the prettiest sign?

In actuality, the candidates are probably not as uninspiring as they seem; but more likely they aren't given enough of a platform to let the public get to know them.

I wouldn't know the candidates if I bumped into them on the street what's more know what they really are about other than hardworking and caring.

I may be tired of seeing Hillary and Obama all over the media sparring with one another, but I know who they are and what they stand for.  Everything they say, every place they say it, is covered. On the local level I know little.  I'd know even less if I weren't involved in blogging.

I know the papers are understaffed and northern Idaho politics are not covered well by the broadcast media, so I say hurrah for us. At least we who read the blogs have the opportunity to vote better informed then we might otherwise.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Fight To The Finish

Yes, the beat goes on. Hillary will take the fight to the convention if things don't proceed the way she wants them to. To what end?

It seems a new organization is being formed, WomenCount PAC, to give Hillary's supporters a voice. "Not so fast," they proclaim as they perceive she is being forced out. "Hillary's voice is our voice and she's speaking for all of us." They've had a voice. And they've used it loud and clear.

Being a woman, I am totally confused. I understand those of my generation being rabidly supportive of Hillary's quest for the presidency. What I don't understand is the tunnel vision that brings them to this point. How can one support another who constantly plays loose with the facts, whines when she thinks the "boys" are picking on her, has hopelessly bungled her campaign by ignoring the possibility that she might have a competitor, and continually tries to bend the rules in her favor. Such a woman does not provide my voice!

An AP article had a paragraph in it that caught my eye.
But the numbers aren't as important as the signal each primary will send to her supporters: She's a fighter, not a quitter, and she's got a future. Even after this race is over.
That message is nothing new. Everyone who watches the news or reads the papers will concede she is a fighter and certainly not a quitter. It doesn't need to be continually shoved down our throats!

She's got a future? Maybe yes, maybe no. Even after this race is over? Maybe yes, maybe no. More and more she looks like a strident spoiled brat who is in a snit because things haven't gone according to her plan. If this continues I should think she may be doing irreparable damage to both her reputation, her future and the viability of any other woman with political ambitions for years to come.

I have to ask my fellow females, is it worth risking the presidency and the future of the country just so this woman can win? Is this the most important goal in your lives?

If you really believe this and she brings down Obama and the party because of it, I hope you'll all be happy with the McCain presidency.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

So. We Are NOT Color Blind

One question was answered last night. Loud and clear. It has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican. It has everything to do with race. Racism. In West Virginia.

There is a lot I can say that is politically incorrect about the white, blue collar voters that are so supportive of Hillary, but one thing I have to give them credit for is that they are honest. They didn't vote for Obama because he is black.

Now I have to ask, which Obama do we want? It obviously matters. Some very much want him, no matter what he is. Others don't want him because of what he is. If Obama was white would they still have voted for Clinton?

I don't think I have to carry on about Obama versus Clinton anymore. As we're told, the numbers are against her. She will either continue on being the spoiler or she will exit gracefully. At the moment it appears she plans to continue. What the end result will be for the Democratic party remains to be seen. What the end result is for Obama also hangs in the balance.

The issue to me, is now one of racism. Obviously it is alive and well. That saddens me. I have felt if anyone could bridge the gap it would be someone like Obama who is neither white nor black, but both. It saddens me that he is still being judged, by voters, by his appearance and his name rather than his capabilites and accomplishments.

By voters. Partnered with our rage over illegal aliens, mostly Hispanics; our segregated cities - blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and the predominantly white "burbs", we are still a nation divided.

When the ministers of our faiths still rail about outrageously inaccurate injustices, both white and black, we are still a deeply divided nation.

Red state, blue state. White, Black, Brown, Yellow, Red. Singular, unto themselves.

Hope? Change? I wonder if it's achievable if we can't see past the color of the standard bearer. We say we want to regain our place as leader of the free world; regain our reputation as the land of opportunity. It isn't going to happen unless we do something about our own prejudices. Unless we are willing to face our own misconceptions. Unless we are able to join together as Americans to move ourselves forward.

This is the time, before the general election, to take a good hard look at ourselves and decide how we want the world to see us. As they see us now or as we would like to have them see us. It isn't up to them. It's up to us. It's not looking good.