This is something that I am thinking about often lately, so have to get it off of my chest. I have lived in Texas my entire life, so I know how people are and that Obama doesn't stand a chance IN TEXAS. Whether it be for racial reasons - which many people have sadly admitted to me IS the case for their vote, the thought that he might be "Muslin" (HAHAHA - yes, the spelling is that way for a reason), or you have "always" voted Republican... I honestly cannot understand it.
However I feel that if McCain does win, America and the economy spirals even more, and more "boys" lose their lives in the "Bush/McCain 100 Year War," I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that I didn't give it at least a fighting chance.
Seriously, a MUSLIN?! Idiots!!!
After talking with many people about politics this year, I am seeing that people are voting how they think they are "suppose to," without knowing the real issues behind each candidate. Sadly to say, most women are voting the way that they are based on what their husbands or pastors have said. Please, ladies, stand up for yourself and know all of the issues rather than merely going with what someone else thinks!!!
Remember: you are not voting on the person that you'd most like to go fishing with, or having a latte with... you are voting on the person best suited to run our country.
I went and early voted today, and I couldn't get over all of the Lexus SUVs and BMWs with McCain/Palin stickers in the parking lot. Perhaps if we had enough money lying around to justify an expensive car, then we too could be "rich" enough to be for McCain! Instead of having a large house, expensive cars, and lots of "toys," we have to put money aside for three college educations, retirement, and in case something happens to either Jon or myself. I mean, the economy is so screwed up, there is zero room to blow money in the budget!
On many occasions McCain has stated that the fundamentals of our economy are... strong. *Gasp, cough, HUH?!* I am not sure which economy he is referring...
Even though we had a balanced budget 8 years ago, our economy is now in the worst state ever since the Great Depression! WOW! Bush has been so focused on the war in Iraq (A COMPLETELY unjustified war - Afghanistan, yes - Iraq, NO!) that he has clearly neglected our economy. Yet, McCain openly admits that he agreed with Bush 90% of the time. Let me spell that a different way - NINETY PERCENT!! I mean, what more damage could he do in 4 more years?!
Seriously, did you ever stop to wonder WHY the McCain/Palin campaign is really wanting to talk about Obama's "character" rather than real issues that should be of top priority this election? Perhaps it is because they don't want to go there, knowing both McCain and Palin's track record!
And Sarah Palin, bless her heart...
Palin might be a funny girl, but if something happens to McCain (and, sorry, but let's face it, he is 72 years old), would you trust HER judgment to run this country? Either she doesn't know her facts before stating them (scary) or just blatantly lies in attempt to hope that people are naive enough to take her at her word (even scarier). Sarah Palin honestly scares me - and not just because she's packin' heat. ;-) She calls herself a feminist - does she think that being a woman automatically makes her a feminist?
Abortion... I debated doing it, but I am going to go there! My friends know how I feel about abortion personally, so I won't go into great detail here (but do feel free to ask if you don't know). You all know I LOVE BABIES - I mean, I have not one, not two, but THREE of them!! HOWEVER, I do have to say that I don't think it is a big enough issue to base my decision EXCLUSIVELY. LET ME EXPLAIN BEFORE YOU GET ALL UPSET! If abortion is the ONLY reason you are voting for the Republican Party, you might want to think twice. The Republicans were in control of not only the Presidency, but also the House and Senate for several years. If they were going to overturn Roe v. Wade, wouldn't they have done it by now? Sadly to say, I feel that many of the Republicans keep using that POWERFUL heart tug on people so that they can keep the votes/support. BUT THEY AREN'T REALLY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT! Therefore, I am not going to keep on letting our economy slide, the lower middle class suffer, and needless, unjustified wars progress even further based on ONE ISSUE (albeit, yes, a big one).
McCain made a promise in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention: "Change is coming." God, help us, I really, wholeheartedly hope so...
I really cannot understand, but would like to. I am a very open minded person, yet have been honestly grasping to find some sort of reasoning as to why anyone would vote for McCain/Palin. Could one of my many McCain/Palin supporting friends PLEASE explain it to me, as I feel that I must be missing something. As you all know, I feel that everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I truly do just want to understand. No judgment... Any takers? Comments, emails, and calls are welcome - and highly encouraged!
9 comments:
I don't want to start a debate (sorry), but I do agree with your statement about people voting just because of race or some other 'silly' reason. I feel people should vote based on what the candidate stands for. Maybe you should post this link http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
for your readers. It shows the statements of the candidates without any names and at the end it tells which candidate you match up with.
It is very interesting. This 'test' solidified my decision.
Happy voting :-)
I feel better now -- like I was the one getting that off my chest! Thanks for verbalizing how so many of us feel.
Oh, I so love you!!!! I couldn't agree more. TN is definitely a conservative state, but I still vote every time in the hope that it will eventually make a difference.
And, as for women that vote the same as their husbands- that is very true in many cases. Have you ever seen the movie Iron Jawed Angels? I highly recommend it!!!!
I am not completely thrilled with either of my options in this election, I will say I have in the past always voted Republican because the candidates have always leaned more to my values and opinions. And I'm continuing that this time around. I will be voting for McCain/Palin. I took that test your friend links above and matched with McCain 12 out of 13 questions, ha! Personally, I just do not trust Obama...he is a smooth talker, but I do not feel that anything he is saying is sincere. And while I'm not too big on McCain either, I pretty much agree with with the Republican stances (obviously according to the test). And I like Sarah Palin, I think she would make a great president someday...and the experience that she'll gain as vice-president will make her a great candidate in the future for that role. Personally I think that there's more of a chance of Biden becoming president if Obama wins, than there is of Palin becoming president if McCain wins. Anyway, I dunno...the abortion thing, the war thing, the gay marriage thing, the economy thing...I just agree with Republicans more on this subjects. I don't think all Republicans are 'big money' and all that stereo-typing... I'm certainly not. I just don't think the government should be running EVERYTHING in my life - and Obama's platform just smacks of socialism a little too much for me. Just my two cents, and hey...you asked, right? =)
Also, I just wanted to add that ultimately I don't put my hope in either of the people running for President. I don't put my hope for true change in any man (or woman)...they are merely pawns in a bigger game - their power is limited, sure they promise the world, but they sure won't be able to deliver. I know who has true control and the ability to change things, and that's God. I put my hope in Him, in that no matter which candidate wins this race, that HIS will be done through their leadership of our country. I vote on my convictions, though...they way I feel is better suited to truly make a difference. But God has the plan, all the answers...and His will be done. [/end soapbox]
I followed Leslie's link as well adn sent it on to friends and family ~ and it confirmed what I already knew. I applaud that you have the courage of your convictions. You will get no debate from me on voting your conscience! (I know I am voting my own.)I just want people to vote!
* Applause *
THANK YOU, JADE! It's EXACTLY what I wanted to hear. Of course, you gave me more like a dollar than two cents. ;-)
I am finally hearing someone with a ground to stand on who is voting on McCain/Palin - and THAT is what I wanted. Everyone else * seriously * has only given me answers like the "musliN" one I mentioned in the blog or that he is black - yes, I kid you NOT, people have admitted that to me. I really have yet to have anyone give me a good, valid answer, and that's what I was searching.
It seems that it is mostly just a matter of the overall Republican vs. Democrat platform in general here - which is FINE. Just two sides of the coin.
Even though I grew up in a mostly Democratic family (you can't say the "R-word" at my Gran's house - LOL, and my Granddad was very involved in the Union), I was truly was always for the "best person for the job." (I know a lot of people say that, but I actually voted for Bush in 2000, as he seemed better than Gore!) I have become even more "Democratic" in my views the last several years, however, while working in health care and with the public, especially in Public Health. Seeing people outside my small-town "bubble" gave me even more of an appreciation of politics and the need for government.
I do need to point out that I was convicted on one thing after reading Jade's response...
I should not have thrown in generalization that "all" Republican are, like she said, "big money." It just rubbed me the wrong way seeing all of the beemers with the McCain stickers. But yet and still, stereo-typing in that way is wrong. I should respect that a little more, seeing as how I get so irritated when people assume I am a "less than holy" Christian because I am voting Obama/Biden - or that since I am a "liberal," I must therefore be a big-City, Birkenstock wearing, child-hating, hybrid vehicle driving, lesbian, atheist. (A little extreme example there - but you catch my drift.) So, yes, I should acknowledge that.
On one of my previous blogs I said:
"Christianity does not know a particular political party, as neither is a complete match for Christ's mission. Who would Jesus vote if he were here living among us today? Who knows?! But my guess is that he would not endorse ANY of the candidates - Republican or Democrat.... As Christians, Christ gave us a good layout of how we are to live our lives - the Bible. Unfortunately, He did not go into explicit details on so many subjects. (How to vote, child rearing, how to dress, and so on, and so forth...) This is why God, through Jesus, gave us the gift of discernment as well as connection to Him through prayer: so that we can make these types of decisions."
WOW - It looks as if two people - Jade and I - can highly agree on the REAL important issues like Whom we serve, the importance of family, coffee, music, bargain shopping, and lip balm - yet TOTALLY disagree on politics! ;-)
THANK YOU for standing up and answering my question(s) openly and honestly, Jade. I sincerely admire that - you rock!
Sorry if I slipped down a notch on your ladder, but I really wasn't up for a debate or professing all my views here. I do admire both you and Jade for being so articulate in verbalizing your opinions/views/thoughts on this oh so important topic! I didn't see any mud slinging here! I am glad that you clarified that all Republicans are NOT "BIG MONEY" ~ Cuz sister ~ you KNOW that's one thing I am NOT!! I put my pants on the same way you do...one leg at a time! :-) I also appreciate that you pointing out that Christianity knows no particular political party. The Bible does give us our layout for living, and the rest ~ we'll all answer for someday, huh?!
Maybe someday you, me and Jade can meet up for that coffee at Seekers and celebrate family, music and being friends NOT DESPITE our differences..but IN ADDITION to our differences! Life sure would be BORING if we were all carbon copies of one another!
Amber, thanks for allowing us (me!) to feel free to voice our opinions...it's always scary doing so and then having to wonder if the people who will read/hear it will still think of me the same. It is such a volatile subject. Anyway, what you said is true...no matter our politics, we can still get along with our fellow man. I cannot believe that the only other responses you've received have been based on the 'race' of Obama. I think it would be amazing to have a diverse president representing a diverse USA...only makes sense in my head. I just do not feel that Obama is the right candidate to fill that role at this time. I feel the same way about having a woman in leadership - I think it would be amazing, I just didn't think Clinton was the right choice for that either. I can't believe that people out there still hold onto those racist, sexist views after all these years, so disappointing. Anyway, in an effort not to stir anything up more so than I already have, I'll end there. Thanks for the interesting and thought-provoking blog...and being brave enough to put it out there when so many won't.
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