Big fat wet kissy hugs to Hotfessional for nominating this post for Petroville and Suburban Turmoil’s May 08 Perfect Post. And thanks to them for not telling her it was crap. 
I had a whole different post written for today. Three times, actually. I was trying to decide which draft to go with when I clicked on The Queen Mum’s blog. And followed that back to Maria’s. And then I scrapped it and started this post instead. Girls, this little momma who refuses to watch the news or read the paper thanks you today for the heads-up.
So, there is almost nothing I won’t talk about on this blog, as you all are painfully aware of by now. I do, however, have a few things I steer away from. I don’t write about my marriage, or my husband, because I did that once and it really hurt him. I don’t write about the kid’s godfather, because he asked me not to. Hell, I wouldn’t write about anyone who asked me not to. I have a friend who is going through some legal battles, and he is one of my best friends, and I can’t really write about him either, or his troubles, because of who he is in love with. And that infuriates me, but he needs me to use discretion. I try to keep the childhood posts to a minimum, because they are hard to write and, I imagine, hard to read. I don’t blog about blogging, and it kind of drives me nuts when people do.
Other than that, it’s sort of open season around here.
The one other thing I don’t talk about, almost ever, that maybe I have hit on two or three times in all these years of blogging is politics. My choice is to play dumb over the internet. No one who reads this would have any clue that I give a dingo’s kidneys about the political structure of the world.
You couldn’t be more wrong.
I am ridiculously political, and stubborn, and opinionated, and I have not ever been able to find the right words to express my views clearly. I can argue religion or abortion or creationism with you all day long, but politics makes me stutter. I’ll leave that sort of thing to Steve Green or Zombyboy or Instapundit. They know what they’re talking about.
For one day only, I am going to share my thoughts with you, and then we are never going to talk about this again, okay?
I am mad at America. I am seethingly, silent treatment, sleeping on the couch pissed at America. Why? Because I have nothing good to tell my children about our government right now, and that is wrong.
I am not a Democrat, and I am sure as hell not a Republican. I don’t really fit the Libertarian niche either. I am just a girl, born in America, who is very concerned. The kids godfather (see, I break rules) one shared this quote with me:
“If you’re not a liberal when you’re 20, you have no heart. If you’re not a conservative when you’re 40, you have no head.”
I laughed. AT HIM. We then got into a heated argument about whether the Afghanistan conflict was going to fall into Iraq. We debated whether or not there were WMD’s in Iraq. I told him, ooooh I told him that there weren’t, that it was a lie and a scam and it was going to turn into war, and he swore there were. He stood behind his President. America stood behind their President and I, being too uneducated in the political system, stood back and held my breath.
Turns out, I was right. Turns out, we all got duped. Turns out, we re-elected this guy and then have just sat back and whined about what he’s done to America, to the Middle East, to the global dynamic. That pisses me off, and that is why I am mad at America. We are, in the end, a bunch of freaking sissies who can’t find the balls to stand up to a little guy from Texas who can’t even speak one coherent sentence.
But still, I find myself following that quote more and more in my own life. My brother and I once argued over politics, social programs and such. I yelled at him for being so Republican, so against absolute help to those in need. I was disgusted by his views on taxes, how he complained about having so much taken from him to give to those less fortunate. How could he justify those statements? We grew up SOLELY provided for by the state and federal government. His point? He worked and kicked an scraped to give himself a better life, that it wasn’t handed to him, that he had no privilege and almost no help, and he did it anyway. Basically, I said, “Dude, don’t forget where you come from,” and he said, “I didn’t. I remember every day, and every day I work to make sure I never end up there again.”
That? I can’t argue that. Tell me more about flat tax now….
I don’t think any change can come, any good can be done, until we overhaul the government. It has failed to serve us, the people. There are too many lobbyists and agendas and, well, politicians. Too much money is funneled towards special interests, and too many Americans who truly need are overlooked. Too many people go hungry, and unable to afford rent or food, at the cost of bombs and Halliburton and CEO’s retirement funds. Too many communties are destroyed because Americans forgot to take care of America first and outsourced to China or wherever. The Lady Justice has some brutally unbalanced scales right now. And no one is doing anything about it. Me included. Hell, I turned tail and moved to CANADA. I am guilty as charged, yo.
I have sat on my pansy, fence-riding ass and waited for a whisper of revolution. For even one person to stand up and fight this governing body. I have waited for either Obama or Clinton to really attack they system as it is and instead I am listening to them bicker for a seat in it. I have waited for the Republican party to stand up for itself, to say, Hey, Man, this isn’t what we meant. That guy isn’t us. They haven’t. They have positioned the one guy in the party who has proven he is too afraid to fight Bush head on to be his successor. And that is a damn shame, because I think if McCain could just stop and think for HIMSELF for two seconds, that he might actually have a something or two to contribute to restoring this country.
I am angry that my generation has not done what the generations before us have. We haven’t effected change. We haven’t stood up. We have more technology, more connection, and more knowledge than any generation before us has had, and they did something. They made massive strides for Civil Rights. They Protested the Vietnam War. We blog about how offended we are by one idiot. We listen to 24 hour news channels talk about Hilary’s outfit choices. We watch Michael Moore documentaries that prey upon our fears the same way Bush did, and we let Bill O’Reilly convince us we’re traitors if we stand up for what we believe is right. How can they end segregation with a radio and some very shady black and white tv reception and we can’t stop these people from ruining our COUNTRY with all the tools that we have at our disposal?
It pisses me off. And so I do nothing about it. I don’t even write about it, because honestly, I am beyond hope. I have thrown my hands in the air and given up. I never imagined, after 6 1/2 years of listening to lies, of waiting for someone to do something about it, that anyone ever would. I figured everyone, like me, was holding their breath too, waiting for November to hurry up and get here already.
And then, today, this:
Today, Keith Olbermann, you made me proud to be an American. Today, I finally heard some one stand up to that man and tell him to shove it up his ass. More importantly, I heard someone tell his ADMINISTRATION that at least one of us in on to them.
I am not going to be silent anymore. I am not going to hide behind the fact that I write a trivial mommy blog anymore. This is MY country, my CHILDREN’S country. This is what I am leaving them, and I am going to make damn sure it is righteous and upstanding and just.
I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am not an ex-pat. I am an AMERICAN. That is all.*
*Well, that’s not all, really, but in the interests of keeping even two readers, I’m going to shut the hell up now.
Kindly linked by Five Star Friday, DaysGoBy, A Soul on Every Path. and Hank, who thinks I’m nuts but found the best way besides telling me how great my boobs look to tell me that.
71 Responses to “Politics”
Bra-fucking-vo.
I ♥ you.
Maria’s last blog post..WTFs, Man?
Is it okay to leave this many comments back to back? I couldn’t edit, and I needed desperately to add that I love you. Sorry. :p
Maria’s last blog post..WTFs, Man?
[Mr Lady] I imagine this may be the only NICE comment I get on this post, so I’ll take it 3 times.
At the risk of sounding silly or stalker-ish or worse - WHERE have you BEEN while I’ve been trying to get my head around this?
I really, really enjoyed this post.
Jessica, the American who’s scared she’s going to try to move her Canadian husband and her half-breed kids back to her country and that they’ll be NOTHING LEFT…..
daysgoby’s last blog post..bullets over tuesday
[Mr Lady] I feel a little bad sometimes that I’m happy I’m here. I’ll just keep writing it off to the weather.
That part about the B+W TV set generation getting off their ass and doing something was the best slap in the face I ever received. We have (myself included) become a nation of whiners who wait for other people to do stuff.
BusyDad’s last blog post..W8 Loss Wednesday #6 - A Ride-Along and a Movie (plus bonus!)
[Mr Lady] How’s about we start changing that?
Anyone with a brain-no, a quarter of a brain-would be standing up and applauding this post. I have been trying to inspire a revolution here where I live, where people are poor and hungry and feel like they can’t do a freaking thing about it, because they have no hope, and it drives me insane. The sad part of it is that I am there, too, getting ready to toss it all in and say I can’t do it anymore. We HAVE to have a change, but we are a lazy nation, and nobody freaking wants to get involved or step up and say This Isn’t Right. I don’t have the same views as you do-I totally do not believe in a flat tax because that means I can’t buy groceries, period. But I do know that there has to be some kind of a solution, and us Americans sitting on our fat asses and letting it happen isn’t going to bring about any sort of change. Oh, sorry, this is your blog, not mine? Crap.
Kori’s last blog post..Go Ahead and Laugh
[Mr Lady] Kori, you so proved my point right here. Thanks for commenting. Thanks for trying to make your community better. We need more yous and less mes for sure. PS: I am not sold on flat tax, but I am willing to hear both sides of the story now, that’s all.
Excellent post. Absolutely excellent.
Alison’s last blog post..Why Aren’t We Carrying Each Other?
[Mr Lady] Thanks, Alison. That means a lot. I was super afraid to hit publish.
Fabulous post as always, honey… And I definitely think you should address politics more often! (Now… don’t hate me.)
However, I do kind of have an issue with this:
“I am angry that my generation has not done what the generations before us have. We haven’t effected change. We haven’t stood up. We have more technology, more connection, and more knowledge than any generation before us has had, and they did something. They made massive strides for Civil Rights. They Protested the Vietnam War.”
As someone who drags along two toddlers out in the southern heat- one slung on my hip, another wrapped around my leg- to anti-war rallies, political debates, marches, and meetings all in the hopes of effecting such change, the above paragraph saddens me.
It took what? Eight solid bloody years of protests and other such actions to help put an end to the Vietnam War. The war for Civil Rights is no where near finished, and I won’t even begin to touch the continuing struggle for Women’s Rights…
Taking into account the obvious biased “everybody believes what they see on tv” media outlets that infect every household between here and there this day and age, do you really feel that effecting change is easy as all that? That’s it’s something that can be done in a year or two or ten? When our voices have less and less power every day; our rights less and less free every moment?
Do you really believe that this generation- this generation who has protested this war from the get go, this generation who has marched, and called, and written, and bloody screamed at the top of their lungs that this is WRONG- is something to be ashamed of? This generation who continues to take action and have hope even when so many of their neighbors and friends are saying things like “they do nothing because they are beyond hope”?
Are you ashamed of me?
Because I’m not.
Judith Shakespeare’s last blog post..Words(100 Word Challenge)
[Mr Lady] Replied…scroll down.
Yes! You know, I think so many people would be ready for a revolution…but they just don’t know where to start. And, sometimes…it’s easy to forget that WE are AMERICA. Not, Mr. Bush.
Mrs. Right’s last blog post..Things you should never say ‘to your wife?
[Mr Lady] Word. To your mother.
This was absolutely fantastic.
I also agree with Judith Shakespeare. I understand your frustration at the seeming lack of action on the war, but these things do take time. I think that often we expect everything to be fast, fast, fast - that because we have instantaneous communication and a 24/7 news cycle, that, by default, change should be fomented equally fast. And change doesn’t happen that way, not normally.
Nonetheless, this was really wonderful and if you don’t mind, I’m going to link to it from my blog and I’m adding you to my blogroll immediately. You, lady, are one hell of a writer.
Oh, and Keith Olbermann? Fanfriggingtastic and he does these Special Comments often and with equal vehemence and venom towards this asinine administration. If you aren’t watching Countdown regularly, I highly recommend it. I really think he’s been one of several leaders in changing the opinions about the war and the administration.
Major Bedhead’s last blog post..What I Sound Like When I Talk To Myself
[Mr Lady] I’m watching it regularly from here on out, for sure. I don’t expect the war to end tomorrow; in fact, I do not at all support withdrawal. I do, however, know that it doesn’t take 6 years to get someone impeached. THAT’S what I’m waiting and hoping for, and that could happen fairly quickly.
I emailed this to Judith, but I think I am going to owe a handful of people sincere apologies, so I’m putting it here, too:
I don’t hate you. In fact, I wish I lived near you. I’d be at every rally, too, right there with you.
I, personally, have never seen a rally. Or heard about one. I have never witnessed one person do one thing to actually stop this shit. That you have makes me very jealous, and that I haven’t been the person in my town ORGANIZING the fucking rally makes me very very ashamed. I think THAT was my point.
What I should have mentioned, but didn’t because that was wandery enough, was that it pisses me off that they find a way to impeach Bill Clinton, but no one puts a dent in the current reign of terror, you know? And why? I think it’s because the Republicans wanted it more. I believe Bush has committed blatant treason and purgery and should be in a jail cell right now. And he’s never been brought up on charge one. THAT infuriates me. But have I written one letter to my congressman? Or to the Senate? Or to the White House? No. Because I am waiting for some one else to do it. Because I have the same sense of entitlement that half my generation has. And THAT? It sickens me.
That post wasn’t pointed at you or him or her. That was pointed right in my own face.
So, please, don’t hate ME.
First, your husband reads your blog? Man, even my own husband doesn’t read mine, so I write all crazy family expose’, farting, blogging about blogging….
But the subject at hand–it’s bad, we’ve been lazy, fat and happy, and now the bill is coming due. Hell, we don’t even care about our war dead, anymore. They were front page news, and now? What kind of liberals are we, am I, that I don’t lament EVERY G-DAMN soul lost, American AND Iraqi?
I’m a Democrat, always liberal, but now I try to listen without prejudice to conservatives to hear if they talk sense. Ever. And they do. Not right now, not on Iraq, but they’re not all crazy. I want to build a bridge, as much as my morals will let me–I won’t starve people, or let people go without healthcare (anymore), but I might be open to compromise as to HOW or I might even give more $$$ or time to volunteering. Less talk, more….?
So in the spirit of bridge-building, I think it was a funny gesture, giving up golf. He made me laugh, Bush, sometimes. I don’t believe he’s evil.
I think we all didn’t know what to do, at first, and he just plain f–d up, and it was his name on the project.
I’m all Obama, all the way.
christy’s last blog post..Love is…….being able to see some of your shit finally. (The new DeBeers slogan)
[Mr Lady] Him reading it is a new thing, and yes. It totally freaks me out. And yes, he’s reading this. Hi, honey! I really have enjoyed talking to and reading more conservative people. I have learned tons of things I never even considered before. I am really lucky to have very patient, open-minded friends who don’t share my political beliefs, but are willing to discuss politics with me anyway in the interest of understanding each other. It’s all about the dialog.
That quote from the kids godfather… I love it. I was so liberal in my 20s and things are changing. I do not know where I belong.
To add to the confusion… I wasn’t born in America and have never felt 100% American. I do not know where I belong.
That is why I do not write about politics. Cause I just get all confused.
Great post.
ohmommy’s last blog post..If you give OHmommy rain boots….
[Mr Lady] I was flat out forbidden to have anything to do with politics for most of my life. My religion forbade even the discussion of anything political. We couldn’t even vote. It’s been really hard coming into this as an adult with no primer. I totally feel you.
And you make rough drafts? I’m gonna try that….
christy’s last blog post..“I am not a crook”
[Mr Lady] No, I just wrote a post, hated it, re-wrote it, hated it, and re-wrote it again, only to realize that the first two posts were probably better. I need a hobby.
I lovelovelove you!
Mindi’s last blog post..I just became a Democrat
[Mr Lady] Then send me a WaWa mug already.
Please come back to the U.S. so I can kiss you and hug you and lick you and keep you for my very own forever, and ever, and ever.
Darlin’, you’ve written some damned fine things in the short time I’ve known you, but this capped it all off. You could quit right now (DON’T. OH MAH HOLY HELL, DON’T YOU EVER!) and you’d always be a hero to me.
Your’s in “I don’t know what the hell I am, but it’s sure as fuck not this”,
Ree
{{hugs}}
Ree’s last blog post..Me and Mr. Hot
[Mr Lady] Ditto. To all of it.
bravo, mr. lady. love you more each day.
and to judith, bravo as well.
the planet of janet’s last blog post..And then there was pie … and cooters with bite!
[Mr Lady] Hell Yes bravo Judith. If we all were her, we’d be out of this mess by now.
oh, and olbermann should get a medal.
and… there’s something about the title of my last blog post as listed here that makes me feel a little … um … inappropriate here today.
the planet of janet’s last blog post..And then there was pie … and cooters with bite!
Keith stands up and speaks his mind every night. You should check him out. Outrage? That’s his favorite color.
CableGirl’s last blog post..I LOVE Keith Olbermann
[Mr Lady] Oh, I’m gonna. He’s my new best friend.
BTW, I posted this video up last night as soon as the show was over.
CableGirl’s last blog post..I LOVE Keith Olbermann
Me, too.
olberman rocks.
When I was little, my mom made me wear a t-shirt (a lot) that said, “If you don’t vote, you deserve what you get” and then below, a little picture of a lemon. Despite all this eager activist steering, and despite my own bumper-sticker politicking in college, I walked away around the Lewinsky years. I’m back sister and I’m pissed. Good on ya!
[Mr Lady] I am not even registered to vote right now. For shame.
As someone who as been in the military since the early 90s, I don’t see what all the complaining is about. I’ve gone through the first Iraq war with Bush, Somalia and Kosovo with Clinton and Iraq II with W. Nothing has gotten worse, it’s all the same.
Here’s the thing: I do my job whoever is in charge. I don’t know anyone from Iraq, Somalia or Kosovo and you know what, come 2009 when ObamaandorClinton is president and my ass is in Burma “helping” those dumbasses, I won’t know anyone there either.
But in the last 18 years, I’ve married, raised a family, graduated college and purchased a house. I save money in IRAs and mutual funds, but I still have money left over to buy toys for everyone. Sure, I complain about the price of gas, but I also complain about the price of bottled water (which is a lot worse by the way). I live in a nice neighborhood because the people who live here make it nice. My life is just fine. The way I see it, your life is what you make of it. How exactly has your life worsened in the last eight years?
Sorry my first comment is so contrary, but I couldn’t hold it in.
Bob’s last blog post..Dodged a Bullet
[Mr Lady] Bob, one: That you for all your years of service to our country. Two: I am a little afraid to reply. You could debate CIRCLES around me. Three: Let’s agree to disagree, okay? Four: Please don’t hurt me.
Fabulous post. Great video. So great, in fact, that I went and watched the video and wandered off to email it to half the people I know, and totally forgot to come back here and leave a comment. I suck.
This is your blog, so I’m totally not going to go off on some tangent here, but I think the problem with our generation (as opposed to those who effected change in the past) is that we have a colossal lack of ability to accept responsibility for anything. We spend too much time whining and complaining about what other people are doing, and the wrongs done to us, to make any headway in terms of societal change. The first step in making change is accepting responsibility for your part in the status quo. Only then can you change it.
Latte Mommy’s last blog post..Jr. at Large: Day 1
[Mr Lady] I love your tangents. Really, I do.
Fabulous post.
I’m digging the new look.
rachel’s last blog post..Fa-Fa and some Feta, too
[Mr Lady] Thanks. It’s not nearly as cool as the other one, but it’s spring, you know? White for spring.
Hear hear, keep it coming. You are far from alone, and at this rate it won’t be a revolution, it will be a f*&king collapse like the USSR.
J’s last blog post..Random TMI
[Mr Lady] I think we all will keep it from going that far. We’re pretty tough when we have to be. PS: HE COMMENTS FINALLY.
I linked to you today. I keep re-reading this….
daysgoby’s last blog post..and a cloud went o’er the sun
Outstanding and surprising, I knew you had political views–just never knew what they were. I’m so freaking mad that I sometimes feel my head is going to explode where this administration is and where our country has been heading. I can’t seem to figure out whether the majority don’t care or don’t know what to do. Is ever someone deserved to be impeached and tossed into jail, it was President Bush.
President Bush, I feel is the dumbest and the most embarrassing President that we’ve ever had. How on earth did he feel that giving up golf was going to be an acceptable sacrifice for all the military that have died under his watch? Just so freaking stupid.
Diane’s last blog post..New House
[Mr Lady] Yep, it’s just not my thing, blogging about the government. That’s why I love your blog, Diane! you cover all the stuff I can’t!
Good Lawd woman, you live in Canada. I don’t think Canada is a state.
Besides, this post is way too long, I barely scanned it.
And besides even more, I don’t hate you by any means, quite the contrary, but man can not live by Whiskey in his Sippy Cup alone, can he?
Why don’t you visit me anymore?
Audubon Ron’s last blog post..Friends
[Mr Lady] Ron, are you drinking and commenting again?
Girl, I am with you 100 percent. I am trying to write more, but the video is still talking and my brain is mush. I may come back tomorrow to say more.
[Mr Lady] Awww, Natalie. You don’t have to!
Right there with you on the shame but scared too because I have no idea how to BE the change. I’m disgusted with the gluttany and slovenness of some Americans while others can’t feed their children. Politicians no longer have the best interest of the common man at heart - look at the HORDES of money they pour into financing campaigns instead of solutions.
Bi-partisan sucks. I’m a registered Independent and always have been. I want to vote for a candidate that represents we the people, not we the party.
If you want to be inspired check this:
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Have-All-Leaders-Gone/dp/1416532498/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210909718&sr=1-1
If you want to find out the truth about Bush and be scared shitless, go here:
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/
[Mr Lady] I am not brave enough to click either of those links.
Moderation?!
Pshaw!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s not very often that I hear people have the same opinions that I do. Kudos to you, Mr. Lady. I applaud you.
Would it be ok with you for me to link to this post? I would write one myself on it, but I really do not think I could top what you have said.
J’s last blog post..And I said I had nothing to blog about…….
[Mr Lady] Flattery will get you everywhere.
You didn’t lose me. I’m a flaming moderate. Seriously, it makes sense. I am passionate about my beliefs.
Early on I attempted to blog about politics and then received a really nicely worded e-mail that I think was meant to be helpful. We won’t get into the details, but I did back off. I was new to the whole blogging thing and wasn’t sure what I should do . . . so I stuck with blogging about “safe” stuff. Heck, I didn’t even know I was a “mommy blog.”
Thanks for writing what a lot of us are thinking . . .
Push on . . .
LaskiGal’s last blog post..Joy
[Mr Lady] HA! Flaming moderate! That’s me. I didn’t know I was a mommy blog for years, either!
Fantastic post, great clip. The problem with what we’ve become as a nation, in my eyes, is that we have lost touch with humanity. We have become detached from our neighbors, brothers, sisters and parents. We even hide behind systems, procedures and technologies when it comes to dealing with confrontation or our enemies. While I sit here typing in front of my computer before going in to watch my big TV, before waking up to go sit in front of my computer again, email my coworkers two offices down, and text my friends, I realize a great truth that has been bothering me about myself and what I believe may be a great truth about many, many others.
We simply don’t care unless it happens to us.
Too many of us sit back and complacently adopt a “there’s nothing I can really do about it” attitude. Why? Because we don’t care. Admit it. We have lost the ability to project ourselves into the minds and hearts of the families that have lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers in this pointless and expensive war. I admit I was surprised to read a phrase from an earlier commenter “how has your life worsened in the last eight years”, especially considering the source. In a way, I am grateful to this person for making me realize that I have been lazily allowing myself to feel the exact same way, and I have been wrong. When I look inside, to the place that is sometimes hard to get to, my life is much worse. I, as an American, have lost a lot. Brave men and women fighting and dying for me. For my family. Thousands of innocent people guilty of doing nothing more than being in the wrong buildings on the wrong day during the wrong time. These people are MY mother and father. They are my daughter. As a human being, and as an American, it is my responsibility to grieve for them as I would my own. When I do, I am ashamed of my inability, no, my unwillingness to do what was required, is required, to help them.
Long comment. Sorry.
Matt’s last blog post..RedSparks Baby Gift Giveaway
I am not happy with the way things are, either…but I have no clue where to even start? And, I wish for the presidential election there was also a “none of the above choice”. I don’t want any of the top 3 to win.
And, as a military wife…I have a love/hate relationship with Bush. He’s done some good things for our military…but then again, he’s why the guys are over there in the first place.
I thoroughly enjoyed the video and hearing your thoughts (as always).
Ashley’s last blog post..Hi, my name is Ashley?
I would stand up and applaud if it didn’t mean my laptop toppling to the floor. One thing that you and that wonderful man, who I would love to sit at his feet and freaking worship, forgot to mention is my country’s Prime Minister and England’s that spent the whole time with their noses firmly shoved up Dubbya’s arse. They are gone now, paid the price. Not long before your vowel challenged Mad Magazine kid look alike falls to the same fate.
Kelley’s last blog post..Dunno what to call this, what about Kelley loses her shit again..
That was awesome. The video. Your post. The excellent comments. I’m extremely opinionated and firmly on both sides of the fence depending on issue because I’ve yet to find a party that’s an exact match.
People can throw eggs at me or whatever, but I am actually inspired this time around by one candidate (who I mentioned briefly once in passing on my blog where I also stay far away from politics), and I actually registered with a party in order to vote in Oregon’s primary on May 20th (actually, since we vote by mail, I’ve already voted). If you knew me? You’d know that I don’t register with a party since neither represents me. I guess in 4 more years I can re-register with the other if this doesn’t work out, so it’s probably not the commitment it felt like when I bit the bullet and did it so that I could vote for my hope, but to me it was a really very large and very big ass deal.
I’m not cut out to be one of those carrying signs and ruining people’s commutes (that’s how it tends to happen in my area) so that they have to waste gas they can’t afford on the way home from a job at which they haven’t seen an increase in pay to match rising costs of everything else. That’s just not how I roll. I’m glad others exercise that right so that it doesn’t go away, but it’s not me.
I’ve written a few letters to my representatives, OK, copied a template and printed out a a few letters to my representatives, but I doubt I’ve ever mailed any of them. That should be different.
What I do, though, I think counts. I take much of what I hear with a grain of salt while considering the source, but I do try to consider many sources. I do get what you mean about the days of black and white tv vs. current technology, but I do think that we have so very much greater access to information than at any time, ever, and I do think that information is absolutely power. This is why the net neutrality issue trips my trigger big, big, big time, almost as much as health care, the war, or the cost of gas. Yep. That much. As it stands, thankfully, there is still plenty of information for me to get online. I can’t read it all, but I do try to understand. It’s my responsibility. I ask myself what I really believe to be the truth, and I vote accordingly, matching up the candidate as best I can. This is what I can do, and I’m doing it.
I’ve rambled more than is probably polite on someone else’s blog comments, but I guess my point is that I agree we need to care, I’m glad people get fired up, I’m glad some then turn it into real action while the rest of us bitch and moan, and I’m glad that I have the right to vote. So, I do that to the best of my ability (when I’m not leaving comments longer than snot wrapped twice around the universe). Whew.
Maggie’s Mind’s last blog post..Hai-(eek)-ku Friday 5/16/08
Hi, I am not an American. I am an Asian and I came to this blog via Daysgoby.
I am thankful for every American who is waking up to this truth that you have shared here. Many of us in the Developing world see America as one of the biggest problems in the world. We do not see justice or a defender of human rights when we see America invade Iraq without justification…..without evidence of WMD.
In truth, the American government today is not the shining symbol of democracy, freedom and equality. Instead, it has succumbed to vested interests and is really the pawn of uncontrolled, unethical corporate capitalism. Corporate capitalism is probably the most destructive force in the world today…creating wars, injustices, human tragedies and even this current global food crisis.
Corporate capitalism is spreading its influence all round the world and unfortunately, America is its number one disciple. That is the real enemy. America is ill and needs to be cured. The enemy is corporate capitalism unbridled and unethical.
We all hope for a better world for our children but to get there, we will have to play our role and speak for the truth.
Thanks again.
lone grey squirrel’s last blog post..David Archuleta Sings Our Song
Yes, the Godfather’s quote is totally true. I’m another example of it. I hate what it’s come to in this country. Totally.
Secret Agent Mama’s Fill In’s last blog post..Project 365 (264 & 265/365)
Not the Fill In, BTW! lol
I love it. Exactly what I have been thinking for years. So glad someone said it on TV and in the media. It is very sad but alot of people are having to choose between their livelyhood and earning a paycheck and trying to be a part of the protests and political stand against this slop Bush is trying to ram down our necks.
I went to DC last weekend and looked at all the statues and quotes and monuments and I got SO MAD. Furious. I was enraged because this country was founded on such great ideals and lately they have been ignored and trampled on. The Constitution and Bill of Rights are pretty clear about things like separation of powers, but the current administration doesn’t seem to hold the same fine ideals.
I am angry. I am upset. I want things to change.
Thanks for this post.
Suebob’s last blog post..Place smells
Tell it like it is, sistah!
calicobebop’s last blog post..Oh Wait! Did I mention drama?
Mr. Lady for President!
Momo Fali’s last blog post..I Didn’t Say Aye Matey
Okay that’s it, I’m pulling out the headphones and watching at work dammit.
Indygirl’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #2 - Belated Mother’s Day post
I just want to say what a great bunch of people you all are………….. and I was waiting for Keith to spit or something……….he came across as being very pissed…….and haven’t you ever been that mad and you were spitting? I’m just sayin’ he was awesome. God Bless, Mike.
I applaud your resolve to do something. More people should get off their asses and do something.
I may disagree with some of your politics, but the fact that we can disagree is great. The fact that we have the right to criticize our administration is one of the things that make America great. But we have to stand up and do it in order for it to count.
See, even a Conservative Republican reader likes your post and won’t flame you
Jennifer’s last blog post..Giant Robots!
Oh and by the way…………you are one hell of a writer. As my Mexican friends like to say…..we are not Mexicans or Americans or Canadians….we are Norte Americanos. Peace, Mike.
Actually, I was drinking and commenting. That obvious huh? Ah, to bad, I live in America, it makes me drink.
Glad you woke up to the political world around. It sucks doesn’t it? Has for a long time, mostly forever.
I’ve been around since the Viet Nam days, born just after the Korean war. I saw the body counts of Viet Nam, waiting for the draft to catch me. Wondering how long I had to live after high school. Lost older friends to Viet Nam. The conflict ended in my junior year.
We were brought into that war by a guy named John F. Kennedy. It was over communism – in Viet Nam. JFK said, we would “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty.” Everybody pretty much loved JFK, kinda like Obama. Odd, how that happens. JFK also tried to pull off the Bay of Pigs, which essentially was an attempt to assassinate Castro in Cuba. We assassinated dictators then.
Communism, an alternative to capitalism was sold on everyone working toward the greater good of each other and to cease exploiting workers. It was just another platform to dictate and control the populous by the ruling party, it exploited the people anyway. We (the US) have a constitution based on freedom and rights. That’s the diff, it helps us buffer power and control.
WWII set into motion a number of events that never came to resolve. One was a cold war with Russia, which incidentally is rearing it’s ugly head yet again. Remember, both Russia and China had their won brands of communism. Another was Iraq. Iraq was heading to join Hitler’s forces and to supply the German’s oil. Germany sent weapons and aircrafts to Husseini. In May 1941, the British re-took control of Iraq. Young Saddam Hussein was raised from age 10 on by his uncle Kharaillah Tulfah, close friend of Amin Al-Husseini and his main partner during the pro-Nazi coup. He was a Nazi sympathizer.
All this gets real complicated doesn’t it? In the bigger picture, Saddam, keeping the bitter scars of his uncle and set out for revenge would not have stopped until he caused great harm to the US. Having WMDs past, present or future, that shit had to come to an end.
Now, we can go even further back to the crusades and England taking back the Holy lands. There’s a link there too. Or, then we can go even further back from there to Rome crucifying the son of Man and Roman occupation of the Middle East. All of this has a connective link that never resolved and sadly, will never resolve. It comes down to this, evil vs good.
I’m not a Bush fan either. I respectfully also argue that Olbermann is a cock-a-doodle Chicken Little and WE need to make sure WE don’t also let the media become the Orwellian 1984 and also tell us how to think. Bush could not go to war without the backing of Congress. The blood of Iraq is on the clothing of the Congress and every American as much as Bush. When 911 happened, we wanted someone’s ass. How could so many people be so wrong? They knew going in they couldn’t prove WMDs. It’s a pay now, pay later plan. That will never change.
That’s all I have to say about that.
Warmly yours and completely sober,
Audubon Ron’s last blog post..The Gate Keepers
I read this post and sat back. I was in awe that you stuck your neck out. I too never ever write about politics or religion or anything controversial on my blog because I all about keeping it simple. In everyday me life though I have HUGE opinions about everything. And the older I get the more involved and the more I care about the quality of life because I am scared for my kids.
I stand up and clap. This was a strong post. I agree 100%. I have friends that I speak to that literally have NEVER voted. And when asked about voting and making change their answer is I hate politics. It infuriates me to no that they will then start to complain about taxes, health care or gas prices, or anything to do with life because I want to hit them and say DUH you moron.. voting is your voice.
And sorry to go off on a completely different tangent, but I pissed too and I am hoping for a positive change with our next president (which I am not sharing here.. )
Once again wonderful post.
Kim’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen - Flashback
I believe that a lot of folk who discerned that the Emperor had no clothes were firstly shouted down by the “Patriotic Americans” and secondly, cowed by the Patriot Act. There are a lot of people who share your viewpoint, but sadly, America is not the land of the free that we dream of.
witchypoo’s last blog post..Oh, Snap
Wow, and I sit with my mouth open. It’s about time…it’s about time…and yet I’m still surprised to finally hear this!
woman in a window’s last blog post..OWNING UP TO MUSIC
(About time in ref. to the video clip…not your voicing up)
My first time here and your write with conviction…I’ll be back.
woman in a window’s last blog post..OWNING UP TO MUSIC
Thank you for this. I need to start recording him.
I think we have a responsibility here. Our men in the armed forces are professionals, they won’t whine, they won’t bitch, for the most part they will do what they are told because that’s what soldiers do.
And they are soldiers.
But that means they are defenseless to political game players callous enough to spend their lives for their own personal or idealogical gain.
In America, we have the best military in the world. The one person they are the MOST in danger from is a bad president.
It’s OUR job to protect THEM from that particular threat.
Yes. Yes! This is what we can do. We can at least stand up and say how we feel about it.
I am a Democrat. Do I like every single thing about the Party? Of course not. But they speak more for me than anyone else. And I just hope that our country can hang on until Jan. 20 and maybe, just maybe, we’ll have a chance in hell again.
Keith Olbermann made me want to cry. This President makes me want to cry…or curse. (And can I tell you how much I appreciated the fact that Olbermann read the quotes instead of showing the man saying it? Because I tend to just mutter “shut up shut up shut up” (in my best mood those are the words I mutter) the whole time Bush speaks whenever I run across it. He’s made me into a 5-year-old again, not willing to hear his words. But that’s only because he’s shown me time and time again that he is not worthy of being heard.
I look forward to more political posts from you.
April’s last blog post..241
Brava! You put into print many of the same thoughts I’ve had for a long time. I applaud you for having the gumption to say it.
I, like you, have shied away from politics on my blog. Why? I talk about them constantly with others, why not on the blog?
Because my POV is identical to yours. For a long time, it was not the popular one. My friends know my opinion, that W is only there to settle daddy’s score. To save face for the mistakes George Sr made.
We are screwed no matter what we do over there now. Pull out and what happens? The jihaad to end all jihaads! Stay there and try to help a country that doesn’t want our help? Send our soldiers to their deaths trying to help those who don’t want it?
This mess will take many years to fix. Thanks, cowboy. Yippee ki yay.
Equally disturbing is that we’ve got two friggin oil men in the white house. Paying $4 bucks a gallon for gas means they make more money in their business ventures, so they’re not the slightest bit motivated to fix THAT problem.
I remember a Bush supporter saying to me at the end of Clinton’s 8 years in office “Are you better off now than you were eight years ago?” and the answer was “Heck, yeah!” Ask that same question now and I’ll tell you my husband has spent more of the past four years unemployed than in gainful employment and that as a result, I lost my home.
I had to seek a new job because, for the first time ever, a job in retail management didn’t give 40 hours a week. I was getting 20 hours a week-as a full time member of the management staff. No recession?
I will be so happy to see the last of that id10t we call a president come next January. We’ll be cleaning up his messes for decades…
Suzanne’s last blog post..Recalling Silliness of the Past
I loved your post, not because I agree with everything you said, but because I agree with some of it and I totally respect your right to say whatever you want on your blog, and because I love it when people know they are doing something badly and they OWN it. Being an American should be all about being responsible and there are a thousand tiny ways you can effect change, starting with registering to vote. Start with yourself and your personal sphere and work your way outwards. By the way, I think I may be in bloggy love with Audobon Ron. His last comment rocked. I am so glad I stopped by tonight. I’ve been short on time lately and wallowing in whatever and haven’t been reading blogs. I’ve missed yours!
janethesane’s last blog post..Time, thou enemy of mine!
Great post. First time visitor. Thank you Five Star Friday.
Olbermann has really nailed it regarding this President, this administration and its hypocrisy. I often feel he is one of the few voices that is willing to speak out directly to the administration. His Special Comments should be mandatory viewing for W and his cronies. Like you, I saw the war coming - my fear now is that this country is going to be dragged into Iran under more false pretenses.
I am not a registered Democrat, but I tend to lean that way ideologically. Special interests have gone a long way to screwing up this country and both parties are to blame for that. However, it is going to take a long time to recover from the strangle hold the conservatives have had on the US.
I could go on and on, but you said it best and I agree - it is time we stopped sitting idly by.
Oh my God, you’re so right. You’re right! I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people say that we need to do something about our environmental problems, about global warming, about the kind of planet we’re leaving our kids. And that’s very important, but what about the kind of COUNTRY we’re leaving for our kids? What about the state of the union we’re passing down? That’s important, too, right? Yes!
So why the hell is it such a shock to me to read someone saying that it’s up to us? Politicians have not enacted change in this country as much as WE THE PEOPLE have, and why the hell did I let myself forget that I’m part of THE PEOPLE? It doesn’t matter that I never voted for Bush. That’s not an excuse for me to sit on my hands and say I told you so when the man has royally screwed things up. That should be motivation for me to stand up and shout louder, scrutinize more, question more, demand better. Instead, I’ve let myself get complacent and hide behind the “Hey, it wasn’t ME who put that yay-hoo in office.”
Thank you for the eye-opening post. My god, thank you. I needed that.
Andrea’s last blog post..Send Driving Music to Drown Out Insults
Rock on, sister.
Aimee Greeblemonkey’s last blog post..Go bid on some of my photos! That’s an order!
Oh, Mr. Lady, now I love you more than ever.
I have gone so far as to look into running for office. Seriously.
It is something I still seriously consider on a daily basis. I’ve been saying for years now that we need real people in the government (both in Congress and as President) because politicians will never be anything but dirty, filthy liars out for their own agenda. Even Obama. Even Hiliary. They are politicians just like the rest.
I begged and pleaded with people during the last Presidential election to NOT vote for Bush again. Seriously, begged and pleaded. When Bush got reelected, I stopped watching the news. I stopped reading the newspaper. I’m not proud of this, but honestly, it was just so depressing to me to see what was becoming of this country.
Today, there is a fire under my butt because I do not want this country ruined for my children. Only WE can change it. NOW is the perfect time. But HOW seems to be the looming question. How to undo all that has been done? How to drag the government out of its obscene corruption? I don’t know, Mr. Lady. But I try, every day to come up with an answer, because I just cannot sit back and watch anymore.
So, my question is, when I run for President…will you vote for me?
Lunanik’s last blog post..Wiggle Iggle Friday
[...] Musings and The Z Files awarded Motherhood Uncensored My Life as a Hotfessional awarded Whiskey In My Sippy Cup Psychicgeek awarded Memarie Lane Using My Words awarded Moms Speak Up Not That I Don’t Love [...]
Here through the hotfessional and SO GLAD I stopped by.
My husband and I always joke that we are “purple” in terms of politics. We feel the same way that you feel. And whenever I encounter some backwoods hick no-nothing who is shouting out his ignorant views on society, I just want to bash my brains against the wall.
I think your way was much more elegantly stated.
moo’s last blog post..Grayson, 22 months
Amen to that! I wonder what has happened to our country, why we protested so fiercely over Vietnam, but now are content to sit back and wait for the next election. We are becoming a nation of sissies!
[...] 2, 2008 · No Comments I’d love to be able to write a post refuting this marvelous post by Mr. Lady. But I [...]
I have to disagree, but you write very well.
Hank’s last blog post..Mr Lady is Fantastic; and Very, Very wrong
Ree and Witchypoo have my vote on this issue! When you stop and think about it, almost half of all Americans have disagreed with dubya since the first election, but he and his arrogant handlers decided that winning by a percentage or two was a MANDATE of some kind to sell out to big business, while claiming “executive privilege” every time they chose to break the law, and unfortunately having a majority in congress throughout most of his reign, they, so far, have gotten away with doing to us and the world whatever they damn well please, all the while branding desenters as “un-American.” What a crock! Great post, Mr. Lady; Thank you!
Coast Rat’s last blog post..SATURDAY HEAT AND WIRING FUN!
I love keith olbermann. finally, some class, and someone you can trust. and cute too. I hope he is as good as he comes off and really really cares. i am sick of media period and idiots spending more time watching crap! I am scared for Americans, the ones who are spending money and not realizing that you know, they may not have a job at the end of the year. i work at the mall on weekends and see so much frivolous spending. We continue to indulge without saving money away for a rainy day. Even professionals are scared. all i’m doing right now is saving, saving saving. bc after several years of being a stay at home mom, i realized i’m not getting a job easy. so i took the first major temp job that was offered and even though the drive is killing me on the gas, i know i have to keep it.
seriously, the oil rich americans are getting richer. they couldnt’ care less about helping people or bringing a revolutionary change where we wouldnt’ depend on gas anymore. they’re money grubbing scum and they will answer for themselves one day.
i truly believe that money breeds greedy people and greedy people want power and couldn’t care less that a father can’t put away savings bc all his money is going into gas.
so don’t even get me started on bush. he has made a mockery out of our govt. people may like him for his texan ways, but him and his administration are v. v. wrong people. our forefathers would be embarrassed.
ok, i’m done. you feel any better?!
i was born and raised in new orleans.
my son will be going back with his marine unit, again, to iraq. my nephew has served three times there, twice in afghanistan.
the little town i have a home in, where i am moving back to, sends out it’s national guard unit three times… leaving behind wives and children in a town with no industry.
i am one of those who stood up and protested vietnam.
i protest this war, too… i would have voted for a yellow dog before i voted for george w “gee, dad, let me be president!” bush either time.
i’m putting a link on my sometimes political blog.
rock on, keep your voice loud and strong… or there is nothing to fight for in the end.
quin browne’s last blog post..The Addiction of Woot
Hi! It has been a while since I popped over here for an hello…
Great post, well written/spoken..
cheers kim xxx
p.s now I am going over to Hanks to listen to the other side..
frogpondsrock’s last blog post..Chips and cobwebs, mmm okay