Capricorn
Today someone criticized me for even considering voting for a third party candidate and not supporting Senator McCain who is backing the $700 bill financial institutions bailout bill. This person stated that, "It's ALWAYS been a Republican/Democratic Race for President, whether any of us agree with this situation or not! PERIOD!! There are NO in-between choices here!"
My somewhat puzzled reaction: "Really? Always" a race between Republicans and Democrats?" Now what part of American history did this person miss? We have no other choices? I think not; we do.
The person also stated, "GO with the way it is and NOT against the tide." Isn't going along to get along why we have a government that ignores voters and proceeds to pursue their own self-interest and the influence of lobbyists? Because whatever they do, the people will just "NOT [go] against the tide?
Incidentally, we (our country) have not always voted "Republican/Democrat." Originally, there was no party. Then there were Federalists and a party called Democratic Republicans. The Federalists more or less faded over time. The Republican party as a separate and viable party did not exist until the time of Abraham Lincoln.
The abolitionists were the impetus for the formation of the Republican Party. They bucked the existing system to support a just cause that they believed in. Had this group of people who refused to acquiesce with the status quo not had the courage of their convictions, Abraham Lincoln would not have been supported and elected, and slavery may well have continued to exist for quite a period of time. Until there was, perhaps, not the civil war we know it, but a bloody and violent uprising of the slaves.
Another point about "always beens." In 1776 the colonists had always been citizens of the mother country England.
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Re: Just Say "No" To The Bailout
By SmartCookie, October 3, 2008 at 10:11Hi Kit,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts so openly! Your vote belongs to you and you choose whether you explain it to anyone else or not. I appreciate the opportunity to 'get inside your head' a little, even though I don't agree with everything you say.
Our agreements are much more important to me, though, than any disagreements. I agree with you in general about our government. You're right to point out that nothing significant seems to change regardless of who is in power. That's the frustration that Sen. McCain shared in his May 15th speech, titled John McCain's Four Year Vision for America, and it has been his consistent message throughout the campaign. It's what initially solidified my vote for him.
Now, that's just me and that's just my decision. Sen. Obama has run his entire campaign on a message of change.
I believe that nearly all Americans are voting for change, regardless of who they're voting for.
Like you, I'm baffled at McCain and Obama's support of this bill, even though better alternatives had not been explored. I think the sky-is-falling mentality was political posturing ... and honestly, I think it was from both sides.
I'm sick of partisanship. My vote is for McCain, not because I believe he's perfect - he certainly is not. There are many things I agree with him about, and some that I disagree with. However, in my view, a vote for anyone other than McCain would be a vote for an Obama victory which I feel would be dangerous for our country. I cannot personally let any single issue deter me in that regard. And with respect, I know there are many citizens voting for Sen. Obama because they sincerely believe a McCain victory would be dangerous for our country. We all need to decide for ourselves what we believe is right, including you.
I just said all that to let you know how much I truly respect your right to express yourself and to vote for whomever you choose, based on what's most important to you! And thank you for such a well-written expression of your thoughts.
Good luck!
Re: Just Say "No" To The Bailout
By Mike Small, October 1, 2008 at 10:45Hi Kit,
Thought you'd be interested in this interview with Ron Paul and his views on the bailout. Hope you like!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/01/paul.qanda/index.html