Elections
Fri., September 5, 10:19 AM
Writing about the election, or trying to, gets stickier all the time. I don’t want to sling trash; I’ll leave that to the professionals. But bits and pieces go running through my mind, and I wrote a letter to the local newspaper. They phoned to confirm that I wrote it (as usual) and told me they were “considering it” for publication. From past experience I know (1) it won’t show up for a couple of weeks and (2) they’ll cut out some of the best parts. So I offer it to you, for what it’s worth.
“It’s time for a change.” They all say that, don”t they? I think I first heard that slogan in 1952, when Dwight Eisenhower was running. What does it really mean?
There’s no doubt we’re ready for change; society is in terrible shape. Are we just going to sit back and wait for someone else to change it, or are we going to assist? First, you have to change your mindset. What exactly is it you want to change, and to what will you change it? And how do you propose we do it?
Consider the oil crisis. Just because the price is somewhat lower than it was last month doesn’t mean it’s fixed. Increasing the amount of domestic drilling or releasing strategic reserves might help, but it’s a short-term solution. What is the root problem? We use more oil than we can produce.
Thus the United States is obligated to form alliances with OPEC countries and to overlook whatever international politics they practice. Suppose we really found alternatives that allowed us to ignore Iran and its policies. How many problems would that solve? I don’t know; just think about it.
“True leadership is the art of changing a group from what it is to what it ought to be.” (Virginia Allan) I sincerely hope that one of the current nominees can effect that kind of change. I’m not sure I believe it’s possible.
I went back to read something I originally wrote more than five years ago, and I think much of it is still valid. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
One of my daughter’s friends said, “I can’t vote for him; he has an agenda.” Well, yes. They all do. “I mean a different agenda from the one he talks about.” Repeat: they all do. So what?
Remember the candidate of 1988 who said, “read my lips — no new taxes”? Not only did he raise them, he raised a son with an MBA who wasted my hard-earned taxes and left us with a huge and unnecessary debt. Some debts are necessary; this was not. Last night’s speech included the following: “I will cut taxes. My opponent will raise them.” Oh, really? And what expenses are you planning to cut? Your salary? The Cost of Living Adjustment? Or will it be my Social Security and Medicare? Shall I just shoot myself now?
My state is one that includes both some of the wealthiest people in the country and some of the poorest. The wealthy can give you all sorts of reasons why they shouldn’t pay extra taxes. I don’t know why they argue; their financial experts can find all the loopholes to protect them. I remember when statistics showed that Connecticut had the highest per-family income in the nation. Our family was right in the center of their statistics. As I’ve mentioned, beware of lies by statistics; we only got there because all five of us were working.
I need to say something about Mr. McCain. I don’t want to minimize his military record or his patriotism. He may be a fine leader, but I just am not sure that experience will make him a better president. I am concerned that while he was imprisoned in Vietnam, things were going on in the United States. He knew little or nothing about what was happening here, and I am sure that what he knew was colored by the jailers who informed him. For that reason, I wonder how much he understands the American people, those same people who are supposed to put their support and trust in him. He doesn’t know what it’s like to protest an immoral war; his definitions of immorality seem to be different. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be poor. Who’s going to counsel him?
That brings me to someone who might be advising, heaven help us. You might be interested in this site: Tell Sarah…, which lists reasons why many women will feel that Sarah Palin just doesn’t speak for them. Let me tell you some of why she certainly does not speak for me.
Sarah Palin does not speak for me; I would not choose to have an infant at home when I have a kid in Iraq. As far as that goes, I certainly would not choose to have a baby when I am supposed to be the governor. Ms. Palin, your family values are not mine. In my early forties, I was as well equipped as you to be an executive. However, I was working part time as an administrative assistant to a non-profit organization, in order to be available to my three young children. That ’s what I call family values.
Are you going to push through morality legislation until science is illegal? Are you going to support Christianity until people like me are abused because we don’t venerate Jesus? Will you force women to bear unwanted children, yet refuse aid for them? Are you going to ignore all the people who are unable to fight for their rights? Who are you anyway? To put it crudely, you’re “not one of us.”
So what do I do? The Democrats are “too smart for their own good.” The Republicans still believe in universal stupidity. As I said, between a rock and a hard place.
