One disclaimer before reading any further. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I always vote a split ticket. I have a mix of liberal and conservative views, but do feel that I lean much more toward the average Democrat than the average Republican. Take that and what I say below however you like.
The recent election was one of great significance. There was a changing of the guard. For better or worse, we will now have a federal government that is controlled by the Democratic party. This is not so different than what we saw during a portion of the Bush administration. It may be different in terms of what issues are deemed important, but is very much the same in terms of one party having a lot of power. That fact may scare some Americans. My own inclinations are nor of fear; rather I am very excited about it. Not because my votes helped this happen, but because I like progress. I was equally excited when the Republican part had total control. I was excited because I assumed that a united front would mean much progress and few roadblocks. Is that what we saw happen? I would argue that we did not. Now the control has shifted and the Democrats find themselves with the power in their hands. What will they do with it? That is the question that I am wondering about. As I've already mentioned, I hope that the current makeup of government leads to less "politics" and much more progress. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
As a side story to the election and the political issues is the story that has gotten a lot of press. Of course I am talking about the issue of race. For the first time ever, we will have an African American man as the president of the United States. This has been a big story in the media and in many of our conversations over the past week. The talk has been both good and bad in my opinion. This is what I've seen and how I feel about it.
The good:
(1) Our mentality as a nation has progressed. There was a point when a candidate for any office would not stand a chance only due to the color of their skin. We've progressed to the point that we are now basing our votes on the person, their stances and their ability to lead... and NOT based on their ethnic makeup. I'm proud that we've made such progress and proud to be an American.
(2) It has been a major issue that a minority has won the presidency of the United States. A lot of focus has been put on that fact. I see this as a good thing. In some discussions I've had with others, they feel that this is being fussed over too much. I disagree. I do agree that race should not be THE issue of the election, but is AN issue and one of importance. It's significance is that anything is possible....for anyone, regardless as to which race they may be.
To elaborate on this topic a little bit, I grew up somewhat privileged to a white family. When my parents told me that I could do anything I wanted I took that as a fact. At a young age it was easy to accept such a statement from my parents, especially due to the fact that when I looked up to the people I may aspire to be like (coaches, doctors, lawyers, elected officials), I saw people that looked like my family members. As hard as I can try, it is difficult for me to fully understand how a "non-white" child feels when he or she is told that same thing. When they look to those same occupations (or at least in the past), they see mainly white guys. I would hope that this would not dissuade the child from believing what they could or could not accomplish, but I have to assume that it at minimum made their dreams seem a little less believable. As time has gone on and we have progressed as a nation, this has become slightly less of an issue and as of November 4th, all expectations have been rewritten. I am happy about that.
The bad (2 things I've heard people say repeatedly):
(1) Even though our mentality as a nation has progressed, I still still many who are lagging behind.
For instance: I have lost count how many people I've heard say (in one way or another), that "we will have a black president and I'm ok with it". I'm sure they are saying such things with the best of intentions, but to me if you tell me that there is an issue that you are "ok" with, then your telling me there was an issue to be decided upon. In my mind, there is no issue. Maybe it's unfair for me to expect others to share my view or maybe I'm reading too much into what people say, but dont think so. I'm glad they are "ok with it", but I hope soon they will realize that they are either happy or unhappy based upon the person and not which group he/she falls into (whether that be race, gender, or even political affiliation).
(2) After having seen how American voted, I've heard many "Christians" say or write that "now I have to pray for America". I take issue with this for multiple reasons.
First: we live in a post September 11th America, we have thousands of troops over seas fighting every day, there are many homeless and high needs people here in the America, and we are in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, yet the one thing that leads them to pray for our nation is that Barack Obama has been elected president. Wow. That baffles me. I'm not telling everyone that they should pray, but if you are a person that does pray (as I am) then I would hope that you were already praying for our nation and if you were not and it took Barack Obama winning this election to prompt to you pray, then praise God that Obama won.
Second: I really dont understand the disdain Evangelical Christians have with Obama...or with Democrats in general for that matter. I can only assume that it has to do with his stance on Roe v Wade. If that is the reason and that one issue is important enough to ignore the of the other dozens of issues, then so be it. I personally think that all of the issues (or at least many of them) matter and that a vote can not be cast based on a single issue.
That being said, many of the other issues that the Democratic party focus on seem very Christian to me. Many of their stances are for the protection and assistance of those that lack the ability or means to help themselves. Restated, I see one fundamental Democratic focus is helping the poor and those that are less fortunate. Without going into any specifics (which would make this about 20 more paragraphs long), I see this as one major difference in where the two major parties diverge. I would assume that the focus on helping those that are less fortunate would be a point that would draw Evangelical Christians to the Democratic Party, but this is not the case. Evangelical Christians are a strong Republican base and I just don't get that. To me it is just a confusion distinction that I've never understood. I have this listed under the "bad" category because for many people that I've seen, the individuals that fall into this category happen to be the same people that fall into the first category that I have listed under "bad". In reality, it may not be all bad. It may be (as I've already mentioned) the focus on a single issue (abortion)... or it may not. Judge for yourself.
There you have it. The Good, The Bad, and Politics that we've already seen and are yet to come.
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Continued Excitement
My hopes, like those of many others, came to fruition last night as we watched the the votes come in. I ended my last post with this hope:
As I sat back and took in the news of the night, it was all a bit surreal. Not only did Obama win the electoral vote in a landslide, but also the popular vote by (from the last numbers that I've seen) over 7 million votes. Unlike the past couple of elections that came down to a key state or two, this Obama win was decisive. I think that speaks volumes for the position of the people. What it says may be disagreed upon, but I think it is a combination of the following issues:
(1) The need for change in economic, social, and foreign policy.
(2) The involvement of more people than ever in our election process.
(3) The positivity and inspiring nature of president-elect Barack Obama.
(4) The fact that the virtues of the person outweigh the classifications that they fall within. The bigotry associated with those classifications do not exist to the extent that they once did.
(5) The nature of the man, not the politician. The fact that a large number of people felt a rapport with president-elect Barack Obama, as someone close to them; not just another political figure.
Now that the months of the buildup have reached its climax, the votes have been cast and the election has concluded, where do we go from here? I think that is a very, very important question.
(1) Will McCain supporters decide to support the new president? Will we be as Obama stated we are; not a blue state or red state, but the United States? I hope we can unite.
(2) Will all of the excitement and promises of action translate into progress? There are many expectations of change. Combining the new president with a president friendly partisan makeup of both the House and Senate, I really hope that we have the ability and foresight to get done that which needs to be done. The roadblocks that had been there in the past, in terms of filibuster and partisan red tape should be lessened. Much like a portion of time under the previous administration (when all three were Republican controlled), the new administration will have a greater ability to act due to having a majority. I just hope that they do so and do it in such a way that is positive for our country.
(3) Will the newly involved citizens of our country remain involved or was it a one time political involvement boom that reached it's highpoint yesterday? I hope that this was just the beginning and that the people will remain excited and involved. I also hope that the administration does it's part in keeping us all involved. I heard one man speak last night about whomever won this election having the burden of the engagement divided. I really liked what he said. He said that the country has many people that are newly involved in the process; people that are now "engaged in the process" and that it is up to the winner of the election to keep them engaged, to not let the engagement become a deficit, but use the new found interest for the betterment of the country. I was very impressed with that perspective and hope that we keep the "engagement dividends".
I could go on and on, but I think I've probably lost your interest by this point so I'll stop now. I'm very hopeful for our future and can not wait to see how it all plays out.
I really hope that when all is said and done, and all the votes are counted, that I will have voted with the majority yet again....and in conjunction with that, I hope that my candidate actually wins the election.
As I sat back and took in the news of the night, it was all a bit surreal. Not only did Obama win the electoral vote in a landslide, but also the popular vote by (from the last numbers that I've seen) over 7 million votes. Unlike the past couple of elections that came down to a key state or two, this Obama win was decisive. I think that speaks volumes for the position of the people. What it says may be disagreed upon, but I think it is a combination of the following issues:
(1) The need for change in economic, social, and foreign policy.
(2) The involvement of more people than ever in our election process.
(3) The positivity and inspiring nature of president-elect Barack Obama.
(4) The fact that the virtues of the person outweigh the classifications that they fall within. The bigotry associated with those classifications do not exist to the extent that they once did.
(5) The nature of the man, not the politician. The fact that a large number of people felt a rapport with president-elect Barack Obama, as someone close to them; not just another political figure.
Now that the months of the buildup have reached its climax, the votes have been cast and the election has concluded, where do we go from here? I think that is a very, very important question.
(1) Will McCain supporters decide to support the new president? Will we be as Obama stated we are; not a blue state or red state, but the United States? I hope we can unite.
(2) Will all of the excitement and promises of action translate into progress? There are many expectations of change. Combining the new president with a president friendly partisan makeup of both the House and Senate, I really hope that we have the ability and foresight to get done that which needs to be done. The roadblocks that had been there in the past, in terms of filibuster and partisan red tape should be lessened. Much like a portion of time under the previous administration (when all three were Republican controlled), the new administration will have a greater ability to act due to having a majority. I just hope that they do so and do it in such a way that is positive for our country.
(3) Will the newly involved citizens of our country remain involved or was it a one time political involvement boom that reached it's highpoint yesterday? I hope that this was just the beginning and that the people will remain excited and involved. I also hope that the administration does it's part in keeping us all involved. I heard one man speak last night about whomever won this election having the burden of the engagement divided. I really liked what he said. He said that the country has many people that are newly involved in the process; people that are now "engaged in the process" and that it is up to the winner of the election to keep them engaged, to not let the engagement become a deficit, but use the new found interest for the betterment of the country. I was very impressed with that perspective and hope that we keep the "engagement dividends".
I could go on and on, but I think I've probably lost your interest by this point so I'll stop now. I'm very hopeful for our future and can not wait to see how it all plays out.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Excitement
I'll save you the pain and agony of hearing a line item list of all of my political stances. Regardless of where you stand politically, if you stand at all, you have to feel the excitement when it comes around to election day.
The election of 2000 was the first time that I participated in our political process. I really liked one of the candidates, cast my vote, and stayed up late to see the results. I think the fact that it was so close pulled me in a little more for future races. In addition to caring about the issue, it was also actually quite exciting to watch. For the record, that night I voted with the majority, although my candidate did not win...
In 2004, neither candidate blew me away. I felt the current administration was doing well enough so I decided to give them another 4 years. I voted with the majority and my candidate won.
Now, in 2008, we have a monumental race going on. I am not in the situation I was in 4 years ago. In this race I definitely see one candidate as MY candidate. There is no question. Not because he is the better of two mediocre choices; not because I agree with a few of his stances; rather, I fully identify with him, I believe in his ability to lead, I believe in his direction in which he intends to lead, and yes, I also agree with him on the majority of his stances.
I dont think there will ever be a viable candidate that I agree with on every issue, but I think Obama is pretty much as close as I'll get. I intend to go out and proudly cast my vote. I really hope that when all is said and done, and all the votes are counted, that I will have voted with the majority yet again....and in conjunction with that, I hope that my candidate actually wins the election.
The election of 2000 was the first time that I participated in our political process. I really liked one of the candidates, cast my vote, and stayed up late to see the results. I think the fact that it was so close pulled me in a little more for future races. In addition to caring about the issue, it was also actually quite exciting to watch. For the record, that night I voted with the majority, although my candidate did not win...
In 2004, neither candidate blew me away. I felt the current administration was doing well enough so I decided to give them another 4 years. I voted with the majority and my candidate won.
Now, in 2008, we have a monumental race going on. I am not in the situation I was in 4 years ago. In this race I definitely see one candidate as MY candidate. There is no question. Not because he is the better of two mediocre choices; not because I agree with a few of his stances; rather, I fully identify with him, I believe in his ability to lead, I believe in his direction in which he intends to lead, and yes, I also agree with him on the majority of his stances.
I dont think there will ever be a viable candidate that I agree with on every issue, but I think Obama is pretty much as close as I'll get. I intend to go out and proudly cast my vote. I really hope that when all is said and done, and all the votes are counted, that I will have voted with the majority yet again....and in conjunction with that, I hope that my candidate actually wins the election.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Happiness
In the midst of an unpleasant economic situation, I find myself somehow unaffected by it. Well, that is not entirely true; my 401K is feeling. However I remain optimistic. I think that whomever earns the presidency will help ensure that the bailout money is used well, and that the country is moving the right direction.
Anyway, I remain optimistic and in general quite happy.
Why am I happy?
- I get to sit at home and watch football all weekend, with my biggest concern being whether or not a given game is broadcast in HD.
- I have a wonderful family.
- my kids are awesome.
- Jackson is really catching on to this thing called school. In preschool he wasn't in to reading and such, but as a first grader he is driven and doing very well.
- Alex, who was a sickly premature baby, is NOW a strong kids who turns 5 years old tomorrow. It is hard to believe he is the same child who spent the first days of his life with his head under oxygen in a contraption that looked like a casserole dish over his head. He is now strong and healthy and happy!
- I have a happy strong marriage with a wonderful wife.
- I'm getting better at golf.
- I am regaining my drive in athletics. Stacy and I have started doing road races and I'm loving it. I'm in shape and constantly improving.
- I have a good job. Perhaps this is part of the reason the economy is not making me worry too much. I have what feel to be a secure position and am happy to be with Southeastern Freight Lines. I'm also optimistic about our company's future.
What would make me more happy?
- If my kids continue to excel.
- If Stacy and I continue to do well at Southeastern.
- If my high school (Ninetysix), which my brother coaches for, continues it's good run and wins the state championship.
- If Furman continues it's good season and makes the playoffs.
- If I won the lottery. :-)
- If a friend won the lottery and decided that I was such a good friend that he/she felt i deserved to retire too. :-)
- If I continue to get better at golf.
- If I get to play golf more frequently.
- If Barack Obama continues to soar and wins the presidency.
- If our economy makes a permanent turn for the better.
- Did I mention the lottery?
Anyway, I remain optimistic and in general quite happy.
Why am I happy?
- I get to sit at home and watch football all weekend, with my biggest concern being whether or not a given game is broadcast in HD.
- I have a wonderful family.
- my kids are awesome.
- Jackson is really catching on to this thing called school. In preschool he wasn't in to reading and such, but as a first grader he is driven and doing very well.
- Alex, who was a sickly premature baby, is NOW a strong kids who turns 5 years old tomorrow. It is hard to believe he is the same child who spent the first days of his life with his head under oxygen in a contraption that looked like a casserole dish over his head. He is now strong and healthy and happy!
- I have a happy strong marriage with a wonderful wife.
- I'm getting better at golf.
- I am regaining my drive in athletics. Stacy and I have started doing road races and I'm loving it. I'm in shape and constantly improving.
- I have a good job. Perhaps this is part of the reason the economy is not making me worry too much. I have what feel to be a secure position and am happy to be with Southeastern Freight Lines. I'm also optimistic about our company's future.
What would make me more happy?
- If my kids continue to excel.
- If Stacy and I continue to do well at Southeastern.
- If my high school (Ninetysix), which my brother coaches for, continues it's good run and wins the state championship.
- If Furman continues it's good season and makes the playoffs.
- If I won the lottery. :-)
- If a friend won the lottery and decided that I was such a good friend that he/she felt i deserved to retire too. :-)
- If I continue to get better at golf.
- If I get to play golf more frequently.
- If Barack Obama continues to soar and wins the presidency.
- If our economy makes a permanent turn for the better.
- Did I mention the lottery?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
More on the Debates
We're 3 debates in and I have to admit that McCain's is in need of an amazing showing in the last debate. In my opinion, in addition to already being ahead in most polls, Obama won both presidential debates and Biden won the VP debate. I dont think they were landslide victories for the Democrats but they were victories nonetheless, building a little more on to that lead.
I have enjoyed following the race progress up to this point, but to me beginning about a week ago they delved into the finger pointing portion of the race. All along each candidate has pitched his stances and a portion of time pointing the finger at the opposition. As time as progressed it seems as though the focus on their own stances has lessened and the finger pointed has increased. Maybe that is just my perception, but that is how I see it. It was very evident in the last debate.
I will continue to follow the race and all it has to offer, but as I've stated in the past, my mind is made up and it would take something large to change it. For anyone just catching up, I neither Republican or Democrat. I like both candidates, and dont feel either is a bad choice...but much like a South Carolina native that is neither anit-Clemson nor anti-Carolina but must pick a side before the big game, there comes a time that a voter you must choose.
I'm not secretive about my views, but I haven't broadcast them either. Those that know me well, know that Obama has been my front-runner since way back when there was a stage full of candidates...but that doesn't mean that I was decided at that point. Since then, my support has solidified and the debates have done nothing to dissuade my opinions. I will support whomever wins an be happy about them as the leader of our country. Whomever it is will have their hands full, and I'm eager to see how he handles the situation.
I have enjoyed following the race progress up to this point, but to me beginning about a week ago they delved into the finger pointing portion of the race. All along each candidate has pitched his stances and a portion of time pointing the finger at the opposition. As time as progressed it seems as though the focus on their own stances has lessened and the finger pointed has increased. Maybe that is just my perception, but that is how I see it. It was very evident in the last debate.
I will continue to follow the race and all it has to offer, but as I've stated in the past, my mind is made up and it would take something large to change it. For anyone just catching up, I neither Republican or Democrat. I like both candidates, and dont feel either is a bad choice...but much like a South Carolina native that is neither anit-Clemson nor anti-Carolina but must pick a side before the big game, there comes a time that a voter you must choose.
I'm not secretive about my views, but I haven't broadcast them either. Those that know me well, know that Obama has been my front-runner since way back when there was a stage full of candidates...but that doesn't mean that I was decided at that point. Since then, my support has solidified and the debates have done nothing to dissuade my opinions. I will support whomever wins an be happy about them as the leader of our country. Whomever it is will have their hands full, and I'm eager to see how he handles the situation.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Four Kinds of Voters
The presidential race started with a slew of candidates, representing a wide array of campaigns. So many choices, and no idea how to choose. It really is difficult to decide what issue is most important to you, and which candidate you prefer. Well, I guess I should say that it’s difficult for some people.
Many people I know get out to primary elections to make sure their ideal candidate wins their party’s nomination.
Do I do so? Absolutely not.
Why? Because I have no party affiliation.
I guess one day I may vote in a primary election, but I hope that to be when I find a perfect candidate….and not when I align myself with a party. At this point in my life I consider myself to be in that segment of the population that is the cause for all of the ridiculous political spending. I’m neither Republican nor Democrat. I used to think that most people were in the same situation as I find myself in, but as time has gone on I’ve really been awakened to the fact that most people ( at least most people I know), even the most “moderate”, have major voting tendencies. Let me restate. I see the American voting public as falling into 4 major groups. Others exist, but in our 2 party system, these categories cover the bulk of the voting population:
I find myself in that fourth group. I don’t mind saying that my votes in the past have varied, having voted Democrat in 2000 and Republican in 2004. I’m very interested to see how the next few months go down. The two candidates chosen by the major parties both offer a voter like myself a viable choice from both parties. I don’t think either will be a bad choice for America and I can not wait to see how it all unravels.
As a finishing thought, I must admit that as I watched the past year unfold I began to form my opinions and pending no unforeseen changes, I believe I know for whom I will be voting. I hope you are all informed as well and know who your favorite is by now. If not, then this is your notice to crawl out of your cave, do some reading, and start forming your opinions. Don’t wait until the very last minute and base your votes on the commercials that air in the weeks prior to the election!
Many people I know get out to primary elections to make sure their ideal candidate wins their party’s nomination.
Do I do so? Absolutely not.
Why? Because I have no party affiliation.
I guess one day I may vote in a primary election, but I hope that to be when I find a perfect candidate….and not when I align myself with a party. At this point in my life I consider myself to be in that segment of the population that is the cause for all of the ridiculous political spending. I’m neither Republican nor Democrat. I used to think that most people were in the same situation as I find myself in, but as time has gone on I’ve really been awakened to the fact that most people ( at least most people I know), even the most “moderate”, have major voting tendencies. Let me restate. I see the American voting public as falling into 4 major groups. Others exist, but in our 2 party system, these categories cover the bulk of the voting population:
- Republicans
- Typically fiscally, religiously, and/or socially conservative (although not always on every individual issue)
- Split into 2 sub-groupings:
- Those that want the best candidate that matches their personal stances.
- Those that want the candidate that will be more apt to defeat the Democratic candidate.
- Democrats
- Typically fiscally, religiously, and/or socially liberal (although not always on every individual issue).
- Split into 2 sub-groupings:
- Those that want the best candidate that matches their personal stances.
- Those that want the candidate that will be more apt to defeat the Republican candidate.
- Those claiming to be moderate but that in reality belong to one of the previously mentioned groups
- These people talk a good game, like to discuss and weigh the issues, but already know how they will vote (even if they have not admitted this fact to themselves).
- They are often just looking for one bad quality of that other candidate to justify the decision that they’ve already made.
- Much of the money spent on campaigns is to give these people a list of those bad qualities to serve as their justification for their choice.
- Swing voters
- This group ultimately decides who will become president (or whatever office is being voted upon).
- This is where I had assumed most people fell, but now see this as a fairly slim margin of the population. Not a small margin of the physical population, but definitely a small margin of the voting population.
- The rest of the ungodly amount of money spent on the campaigns is spent to convince these people how to vote.
I find myself in that fourth group. I don’t mind saying that my votes in the past have varied, having voted Democrat in 2000 and Republican in 2004. I’m very interested to see how the next few months go down. The two candidates chosen by the major parties both offer a voter like myself a viable choice from both parties. I don’t think either will be a bad choice for America and I can not wait to see how it all unravels.
As a finishing thought, I must admit that as I watched the past year unfold I began to form my opinions and pending no unforeseen changes, I believe I know for whom I will be voting. I hope you are all informed as well and know who your favorite is by now. If not, then this is your notice to crawl out of your cave, do some reading, and start forming your opinions. Don’t wait until the very last minute and base your votes on the commercials that air in the weeks prior to the election!
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