Election 2008 BlackState.com

06 October 2008
Posted on BlackState 06 October 2008

I am trying to understand politics, for me it’s a complex, and extremely boring subject. So instead of wasting too much of my time learning about Socialism, Communism, and Dictatorships, I have decided to concentrate on understanding democracy, specifically the ideals of our American democratic system. I wanted to gain at least a cursory understanding of foreign sovereignty hoping it would help me better appreciate how my country operates, granting me peace in the knowledge that my government is a just, and fair government.

Just and fair government isn’t an oxymoron, is it?

I started this journey to gain an understanding not only of our countries chosen ideology, but of the two major candidates, John McCain, and Barack Obama. I have been looking at, and liking Barack Obama. First and foremost he is a Democrat, and that is my party of choice even if I don’t completely agree with every decision this party makes, I can back the majority of decisions made by the democrats as opposed to the Republicans. I am liberal, but I believe in capital punishment and radical welfare reform. I am Pro-choice, but I personally would not have an abortion, nor would I want my daughters to do so. I believe that marijuana should be legal, gays should be allowed to marry and don’t even get me started on creationism. All that aside I also looked into the small but increasing numbers of libertarian candidates who every election seem to get closer to gaining respect and may soon have a real chance at getting on a ballot. I would just like to have a valid third party choice; I would go further than that by saying even within the two major parties there should be more than one candidate running for office. How many Hillary supporters would like the chance to still vote for their champion? Conversely how many people would like the chance to vote for Huckabee? Giuliani? My point being would the world spin off its axis if we had more choices?

But this lag of my sojourn into politics was prompted by my need to understand who these men and woman are to the best of my ability. And judge who has the wherewithal, tenacity, and intelligence to lead us back from the brink of insanity and make some real changes. I don’t think that listening to all the pundants talk, and spin masters will give a clear insight into what these individuals are capable of. So I read. Every bill they have passed, every vote cast, looking at where they stand on the issues. How are they different, do they have a plan? Reading their books, listening closely to their words, paying attention to deeds done, it’s a lot of information but even then it’s controlled information so I look deeper, and watch for signs of true character.

My candidate for change, my Obama, is under character assassination right now, he is being attacked and the only thing I see that he is doing wrong is staying true to his words that the issues are what is important. Defaming someone by using slander and half truths is not. As much as I hate when religion and government meet, I just have to say…and this is an oldie but goodie. He who is without sin cast the first stone. I am disgusted that a young boy of six sent to school by his father can be blamed, and branded a Muslim because he went for a very brief period to a Madras school. I myself attended Catholic grade school almost 8 years to be exact, and guess what? I am not Catholic. I don’t believe in Catholic dogma, I went to the school for 8 years. So why the finger pointing? For me it is not a stretch to see how a man, or any child led by a parent to believe, and worship one way can change their belief system and ideology once they reach adulthood. Calling Obama a Muslim I think is false, he clearly considers himself Christian, even if he laments on once being taught the Muslim faith, and feels connected to the tenants of that faith still. I sometimes find myself reflecting back on my catholic upbringing in a positive light, even if I can’t get behind the message as a whole. I thought one of the tenants of Christian belief was no matter what you have done before, if you ask for Christ’s love and forgiveness opening yourself up to his power that you are from that day a new man in the eyes of god? I really don’t know again…I am not Christian but to hear them talk most of the “saved” did a lot worse than attend a Muslim school in their youth and yet their sins are forgiven. So why not Obama? And is it really something he needs our forgiveness for?

Here is a radical thought, so what if he was Muslim, why should we care? I thought the presidents personal religion shouldn’t matter. I looked up the Muslim faith and it seems pretty much like any other religion out there. And looking at the histories of the religions in question the Muslims do not corner the market for extremists. Every religion has them; we just aren’t in a war with the Vatican right now, but one notable president was vilified for being a catholic, people were panicked to think what influence the pope would have on the president, and they tried to keep JFK out of the office based solely on his catholic faith. Seems ridiculous now, doesn’t it? Even “Christian” religions have their zealots, and terrorists. In my opinion the KKK has done some serious damage in the name of god.

I could continue to list hate groups, and list the Timothy McVeigh’s, and Unabomber’s that are born and breed American monsters that have spilled innocent blood on American soil. But the Republicans are not interested in reality acknowledgment. Look at how they deny the past eight years of mess ups from the last endorsed Republican for office They want to shock and awe us with fireworks so we are to busy to remember. Using familiar tactics of calling in to question your very patriotism if you don’t vote for the POW that served and fought for our country, how could anyone find fault in a man who is a war hero? How could you doubt the grit of a man who could eat rats to survive? It isn’t very difficult if you look at the man that he has become. I know how many houses I own buddy, and it’s one. McCain served quite sometime ago so thanks, but are you the same man? I give thanks to men such as him for fighting when I may not have, and I have respect for what our soldiers face in battle. I have seen McCain, and Palin take the low road consistently in this campaign, with not only attacks on Obama’s religion, but his lack of experience, and now most notably an egregious twisting of a common cliché, which I like to refer as “Lipstickgate”. Is this an example of leadership, and honor in battle? All this group cares about is waging war, crushing and breaking down with no conscious, the Obama/Biden ticket, closing the eyes and minds of American voters with fear of the unknown, and isn’t that the greatest fear? Misdirection and lies spew forth from the republicans like vomit, and now the Republican nominee’s are a few points higher in the latest polls. I want a McCain/Palin victory like I want a female circumcision. Palin, talk about lack of experience she was plucked from obscurity! Little to no experience, she has been a governor for a minute, and slams community organizing when she herself relied on a grass roots campaign to win the mayoral race in Alaska. Palin would say and do anything for the Republican Party who chose her not so much because she has the potential to lead this country, but more because she has the right combination of right wing extremist qualities to catapult McCain. She wants to dictate our morality, put guns into the hands of children, and ravage her home state for oil. Small town “values” are just what the doctor ordered, but how can you trust someone who considers teen pregnancy, revenge, and the ability to insult, good values? Acting as if you are beyond reproach when you clearly are not, shows lack of character. I think Palin needs a lesson in the difference between being a character, and having character.

I almost don’t want to comment on the lipstick fiasco, yet I am compelled to ask why this was such a big deal? A simple cliché, a play on her words, a twisting of an opponents’ phrase is hardly uncommon. I didn’t say it was smart, I think Obama was glib, but not sexist. The end, I refuse to waste anymore time on such an innocuous trifle. I want to see what happens next, I will be paying attention to how Obama and Biden answer to the proposed government bailout, among other challenges. Hoping they raise up, using honor and class, showing grit, strength of self and intelligence which has been sorely lacking in the current GOP. Proving to others what they have proven to me. That each of these two men has an unwavering love for our country, and the ability to run it as far as I am concerned.

Related: Barack Obama: Eight Is Enough
Voting For Obama More Than Just A Vote
Barack Obama Winner At Last
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