It's the last day of summer. Actually, it doesn't even feel like summer here anymore. The nights have gone chilly, and the shadows are substantial, even at noon. I noticed several trees have gone red the last few days, and this strikes me as a bit early, perhaps a week ahead of last year.
This was interesting. Our house that we sold in California in 2001 for 215k and was then sold two years later for 335k and then 3 years later for 635k was foreclosed on. The bank was seeking over 650k but it just recently went for 354k. Almost half off its peak. The second to last owner made the most. And everyone made more than we did yet we owned the property for 6 years. Has bottom been hit? Only time will tell.
Here's what I want to know. Who in their right mind would vote republican for the presidency this time around? As much as the media and the pundits would like to spin it otherwise, there really is very little difference between the two parties. They sit very close to either side of center. (Really, it's true! Which makes all the mudslinging so childish.) In fact, I'm totally on board with the more conservative philosophy of lower taxes and less government interference. (I do understand that people can't be trusted though, and therefore some government oversight is necessary in order to avoid negative consequences for the public. We're seeing the downside of deregulation at the moment. ) I would have to disagree with some elements of their social platform, such as the denying of rights to certain segments of the population (homosexuals, pregnant women). But the bottom line is this. After eight years of the Republican party holding the White House, we are worse off as a nation, as a people. Our global reputation is shot, we are WAY more indebted, mired in global conflicts which we started, and now saddled with the burden of "saving" the nation's financial system. If we vote Republican, we are voting against our own best interest. No amount of spin should convince you otherwise.
25 comments:
Aren't you glad to be a Canadian? Here's what irks me. Those of us who can't afford health insurance, and there are over 45 million, look askance at spending 700 Billion to prop up the stocks and bonds of the rich. We have been told over and over that the 60 Billion it would take is way too much. The Republican'ts are so very concerned about the welfare of the rich. ed
Especially now that McCain picked Palin as his running mate. If the Republicans were still run by people more along the lines of Schwarzeneger (oh crap - I can't spell) who at least doesn't ignore stem cell research, same sex marriage, or have some extreme evangelical take on life that colours his politics - it wouldn't be so bad.
Hey sticky, good editorial on why we shouldn't vote Republican this fall here in the U.S. I certainly won't give them my vote for a lot of good valid reasons but you'd be suprised how many of the public votes blindly on Republican ideals when they do nothing but hurt themselves in the process. Naked Boy Chronicles has a great view on that on his blog that I see you follow as well. We can only hope people don't vote in four more years of "W" in the ruse of John McCain but I'm not so optimistic. I do think John McCain will win just because of his whiteness if nothing else. But again, he doesn't have my vote for what it is worth!!
Preaching to the choir. Anon makes an excellent point about health ins. Snooze makes a good point that it might be easier to swallow their fiscal policies if they'd just leave morals aside.
Are you pregnant? You keep using "WE". You're Canadian now! Ha! But, I do agree with everything you've put out there. Unfortunately I think this country will show it's true colors and not vote for Obama because he's too exotic and dark-skinned. I may join you in Canada, no, it's too cold, I'll head to an island in the Caribbean.
Unless you're filthy rich, or a far right wingnut who cares about stopping abortion, gays getting married, or other 'social ills', I can't understand why anyone would vote Republican either.
Of course, I've felt that way over the last two elections as well, and we how stupid the American people were during those.
Hopefully, this year, they'll be a tad bit more self-elightened.
HUGS..
I always get frustrated when it is time for the US to vote. I secretly wish that, since our economies are so closely linked, that we could at least get 1/2 a vote each here in Canada.....sadly, I think the voter turnout would be better than for our own elections (because we have to choose between dumb and dumber). I think it will be a sad day for sure if they opt for more of the same. They deserve better.
The last time the Democrats were in power, didn't the Republicans make their time there in office a big money suck/spin cycle with the whole President Gets a Blowjob So Let's Impeach Him schtick?
It seems like Republican is just another word for asshole. Sadly, there is a huge population willing to vote for them down there. They're all standing in the Unemployment Line.
Like we don't have to choose between dumb and dumber?? I don't like either of them. Well, that's not exactly true. I like some policies of the Dems, and some policies of the Reps. So I'll vote for the love child of Obama and McCain. eh. But for God's sake leave Palin out of it!! She scares me. I had a dream that I had a child and named him Trig. Ugh.
Isn't segue a funny word?
They sit very close to either side of center. (Really, it's true! Which makes all the mudslinging so childish.)
So much easier to reach the mud.
To answer your question, NOBODY in their "right mind" would vote for Grandaddy Johnny McPalin. At least no one who cares about vision, hope, the future, the long-term.
This nation has shown time and again that they would rather vote based on their hatred than even their own basic self interest. Sad, sad, sad.
*Torn said: They sit very close to either side of center
Interesting revision of the definition of "centre"... I guess it depends on your POV. As someone with a bright orange sign in her window, both USian sides sound pretty right wing to me.
*Little David said: You keep using "WE". You're Canadian now! Ha!
Our household gets a USian vote for both the district and of course a presidential one, despite both of us being Canadian born. One of the joys of dual citizenry. (I also get to vote in Irish elections, but they aren't so ground-shaking. Being there to vote for the abortion referendum was nice though). Anyways, I'm guessing Torn still gets his vote David.
"Politicians are like diapers! They both need changing regularly and for the same reason."
Let's face it...a combination of smart people do stupid thing and stupid people do stupid thing...the willful ignorance and a steadfast refusal to face the truth...how sad..
Honestly, I'm worried!
The housing market is sunshine and lollipops compared to the banking system. And another Republican is statistically tied in the polls to get to dump more money down the hellhole of a war.
I know it doesn't help to bury my head but I'm serious when I say that I barely read the paper or watch the news anymore. I just can't handle it.
You're just baiting me now, aren't you?
It seems the Republican party more attracts those who've gotten everything they've wanted.
As an example, I present the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
In the urban ares (Providence, Cranston, Pawtucket, Warwick, North Providence and East Providence) Obama has widespread support.
But go to the part of Warwick that borders East Greenwich and you see McCain signs and bumper stickers. Invariably those are on large McMansions and high end luxury vehicles.
It's a "fuck you" to those who haven't attained the same level of success.
You assume that Americans vote (and think) with their brains.
(I'm an American, and I try to vote and think with my brain.)
Something you said weeks ago has stuck with me, "These aren't people you'd want to invite into your house." I've repeated it many times. However, politics and politicians are a fact of our society; I'm not just ready for total anarchy just yet.
My biggest gripe is that there is very little really being said about where these guys stand on the issues.
Palin just scares the living crap out of me.
To the non-US citizens who think we're all stupid, please realize that there are millions upon millions in this country who will NOT vote Republican. The fact also remains that Bush did NOT win the last two elections. He stole them through vote tampering and friends in high places basically handing it to him to insure their own best interests. I live in Ohio and seriously wonder if my vote will even be counted. The machines here have been tampered with for the last few elections and nobody seems to want to do much about it. Nonetheless, we, the people, lost control of our govt. YEARS ago through our own apathy which allowed mass deregulation and corporate interests to step in and grab the power. No matter who wins, we're pretty much all screwed.
If you consider at how Dubya won the last election or did he? Anyway, it seems that at the end of the day it doesn't seem to matter who one votes for becasue that vote is purely the popular vote. If the powers that be don't like the end tally they just say no thank you and the electoral college says we want this one or better yet let a Supreme Court judge cast the deciding ballot, either way you're screwed. Gee, that sounded very cynical didn't it? My apologies, don't mind me I should never discuss politics before breakfast or anytime for that matter as it makes me bilous. At the end of the day I have to hold on to the belief that my vote will make a difference, and the Republicans will lose by one vote, Mine!
I really do think there is a difference between the parties and I think it's a difference that matters and that is that one of the parties is pursuing a discredited economic theory that has collapsed the middle
class over the last 30 years. And I don't think the democratic party is blameless because Clinton did many things I don't like. But I think to the lower economic classes there is a big difference. And to gay people who were used as scapegoats to haul out the "Christian" vote in the last two elections, there is a difference.
I think that middle class voters and lower class voters don't have a voice in American Politics. You hear both parties talking about the working man, and none of those voices are working men. In that way, both parties are the same. In terms of issues, I believe they are not. But I have a measured hope that Barack may be different. We will see. Hopefully, we will see.
But the same intelligence that SHOULD make Republicanism work is the same intelligence that SHOULD move people to vote Democrat. Obviously, we don't have it.
Couldn't agree with you more about voting republican being the same as voting against America's best interests. Why doesn't everyone see this?
Mark :-)
It is beyond my thinking that a person would vote for "more of the same" after eight years of the Bush dynasty. Another four years of this tripe and there will not be a country left worth saving, in my opinion. The hidden problem is that some people are racist and would vote against their better interests than vote for a black man. It is beyond pathetic.
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