What Now?
I will be eager to see how things play out in Washington now. Through all the scandals, deception and corruption, I think Americans made it pretty clear last night that they were pretty sick of it. And just think, this was the party that was supposed to restore integrity back to government. Although I tend to trust democrats more, I am not a huge fan of either party in large. And now dems have a huge task ahead of them that just may prove to be the perfect set up for disaster. I know that republicans were completely embarrassed last night while losing control of the House and losing at least 4 Senate seats but now the pressure is on the dems to raise a sinking ship. Americans made it clear that we wanted a change in direction but no one on the left has offered many clear consensus ideas. This wasn’t an election in favor of the left, it was a no confidence vote for conservatives. Now the hope of our future lies in the hands of a party that doesn’t have any substantial power to address many of the wrongs we hope to be righted. And in politics, its not necessarily what you do as much it is about how you meet expectations. And the expectations are that we fix the mess in Iraq, create new policies to improve our economy and job market, improve international relationships, champion the smart ways to handle stem cell research and same sex marriage, and keep the momentum into 2008 to elect a competent, knowledgeable, and flexible individual supported by a non- ideological administration to lead our country. So the set up I fear is that it will damn near impossible for dems to meet all of those expectations in two years. And be rest assured that the right wing ‘ganda machine will be in full effect the entire time. Dems wont be able to fart good without 'ole righty knowing exactly what he had for lunch. Every idea they have or suggestion they make will be twisted, contorted and spun to make them look out of touch with reality and out of step with the mainstream. Its what they do and they are good at it.
So let’s continue to talk about conservatives. What has happened differently in the past two years to convince you that this administration and right controlled congress is no longer capable of getting the job done? Or let me phrase that a different way. What has the administration done or not done since the last election when Dubya was re-elected to finally convince you that they had no clue as to handle the situations we find our selves in now? I mean the cat was out of the bag two years ago. How many documentaries have to be made and how many books written that outline the severe incompetence of this group, before you start to realize that something was awry? Michael Moore had made Fahrenheit 9/11. Dick Clarke, who was a Washington insider, had already written his book. Colin Powell had already announced that he was quitting the administration along with a slew of other top officials, and what could be more damning than Colin’s conspicuous silence on the issues. Iraq was already a cluster f**k, and North Korea and Iran were already getting out of hand. I don’t like to sound pessimistic but the time to change courses was two years ago. Now Dubya has had two nominees the Supreme Court and was given another 48 months to work his Texas magic. Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to live in a vacuum. And with great certainty, someone should be able to explain to the families of the 3000+ soldiers that we’ve lost in the conflict why it was necessary.
Although we’ve heard this two trillion times I think it is as true as it’s ever been, we want a leader who is not committed to towing a party line. We want a leader that is committed to making the right decision for the country and be willing and capable of surrounding him/herself with the most educated of persons and willing to listen to reason. They need to be internationally minded while keeping American interests in the forefront. We want candidates that have fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and we want them to have bought into the ideal of inclusion and success for all American citizens. I know that there are a few potential candidates that can meet those criteria but I’m not sure that American is ready to vote for a woman, a black man, or across party lines. That would be a shame because that is what America might need whether it is ready for it or not. Lets just see what kind of progress we can make in the next two years I guess.
So let’s continue to talk about conservatives. What has happened differently in the past two years to convince you that this administration and right controlled congress is no longer capable of getting the job done? Or let me phrase that a different way. What has the administration done or not done since the last election when Dubya was re-elected to finally convince you that they had no clue as to handle the situations we find our selves in now? I mean the cat was out of the bag two years ago. How many documentaries have to be made and how many books written that outline the severe incompetence of this group, before you start to realize that something was awry? Michael Moore had made Fahrenheit 9/11. Dick Clarke, who was a Washington insider, had already written his book. Colin Powell had already announced that he was quitting the administration along with a slew of other top officials, and what could be more damning than Colin’s conspicuous silence on the issues. Iraq was already a cluster f**k, and North Korea and Iran were already getting out of hand. I don’t like to sound pessimistic but the time to change courses was two years ago. Now Dubya has had two nominees the Supreme Court and was given another 48 months to work his Texas magic. Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to live in a vacuum. And with great certainty, someone should be able to explain to the families of the 3000+ soldiers that we’ve lost in the conflict why it was necessary.
Although we’ve heard this two trillion times I think it is as true as it’s ever been, we want a leader who is not committed to towing a party line. We want a leader that is committed to making the right decision for the country and be willing and capable of surrounding him/herself with the most educated of persons and willing to listen to reason. They need to be internationally minded while keeping American interests in the forefront. We want candidates that have fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and we want them to have bought into the ideal of inclusion and success for all American citizens. I know that there are a few potential candidates that can meet those criteria but I’m not sure that American is ready to vote for a woman, a black man, or across party lines. That would be a shame because that is what America might need whether it is ready for it or not. Lets just see what kind of progress we can make in the next two years I guess.
posted by woodrow241 at 8:59 AM
7 Comments:
interesting enough. But I think American is ready to make that jump. We'll see.
First off, thanks for stopping by my blog!
Yo have said alot here, and a full reply would probably be a whole blog of it's own, so I will respond in part.
I totally agree that this election wasn't "pro-democrat" as much as "anti-republican" or for me "anti-major party". I am just ill with the 2 parties and wanted to send the message that they need to BOTH get their collective affairs together before I take either seriously ever again.
The Dems DO have their work cut out for them and, barring a miracle, the pendullum will swing the other way in 2 years as Americans realize they don't have the answers either.
Specifically what has dissappointed me about my party is that they talk a good game about issues that are important to me, immigration, moral issues like abortion and embryonic stem cell research, but what have they really done to bring about change in these areas? Nada, zilch, nothing, save for a few token gestures to give me a false sense that they are still intent on dealing with these issues.
In fact, the immigration issue is getting worse and worse, despite the inherent danger in having porous borders and the impact this has on the "War on Terror". Do some research on the NAFTA Superhighway, we have no intention of closing the borders, but making it EASIER for cheap, disposable laborers to come to this country without having to wade through all of the legal red tape.
Fiscally and socially there isn't a single REAL conservative in Washington and that is what needs to change in my opinion.
As far as a leader of the free world NOT towing the party line, never happen my friend, that is not how the game works and that is not how you win an election. I hate saying that, by the way.
I can never get over the fact that republicans always try to muster support by appealing to the emotions of individuals. They summon fear, paranoia and anxiety to bring out the vote. They have convinced people that liberals want the whole country to turn homosexual and that dems want to legalize weed to make everyone drug addicts and that they like killing babies and that they like to waste the hard earned tax-payers money by just giving it away to poor blacks for welfare and they like giving away good jobs to underqualified minorities. They have convinced a good portion of the country that those on the left are fully committed to taking away the things that make America great. It has less to do with rational debate based on actual facts. It has everything to do with frightening people into thinking that there are people in power trying to errode your livelyhood.
I am generally pretty cynical when it comes to politics and politicians- so commenting on this post is way out of character for me. I have been paying attention recently, as the stakes have been so high since the war began, and I am starting to worry. I am glad that we had a shift in leadership, but as I was voting I was wondering if I was making the right choice. It will be nice to have a new perspective on the issues, especially the war, but I fear that this may backfire on us. I hope that the new leaders are thoughtful in their approach and that they do something other than just swing the pendulum in the opposite direction. I want the troops to return home and the war to end, but I am afraid that the backlash will be something we're not ready for- I'm not sure what I think might happen but I feel quite uneasy.
I also hate how politicians, especially the conservatives, try to stir up fear in people (as you mentioned) and I especially hate how they use their conservative views to appeal to those that consider themselves conservative Christians. I hate how they make them believe that we'll go to hell in a handbasket if democrats are elected. Additionally I hate how some churches tell their congregation how to vote and how the republican party is the "right" party if you call yourself a Christian. On the Today show this morning they were discussing this issue- and they were going to have a panel of christians and non-christians discussing politics- I hate I had to miss it. What are your thoughts on this?
Well Im glad you ask because I have a few opinions on this. I think that the rift between the democratic party and evangelical christians is a symptom of the dysfunction of organized religion. The problem is that the focal point of christianty has for so long been on the individual and personal morality. And therefore the issues of abortion, the death penalty and drug use have been on the banner of conservatives that they tote around as THE critical issues of our culture and political landscape. How you decide on these issues more than any have been the litmus test for true christianity and religious devotion. Dems have always been more tolerant on some of these issues which has been associated with ungodliness and moral indifference. But what I feel has been lost in the debate is the christian ideals of helping the less fortunate, and having a community where the haves look out for the have nots. And a vast majority of the social programs aimed at improving the lives of the less fortunate have been democratic constructs. The ideas of socialism or governments that create society where people do not go without are dirty words in conservative circles.
The other issue is that we are supposed to be a society where we keep are politics and religion as separate entities. Republicans choose to adhere to that at their convenience. I think that abortion is a legitamite issue but doctor assisted suicide is not. The issue of drug use is religious but favoring the death penalty is a tricky one.
I do believe like a lot of conservatives do, that the health of a culture is very important to the efficient functioning of a society. I do value family and personal responsiblity but too often I find conservatives only looking out for a select portion of our society that excludes most minorities and the poor and disadvantaged. What kind of christians would be so neglectful? Republicans are less concerned with perserving christian morals as they are with conserving their own ideals of how people should look, think and behave.
Great post, very interesting commentary on the mid-terms and current state of the American federal government and politics.
I agree with your views, except the line about "Texas magic" - very Dixie Chicks. Texans shouldn't be blamed for Dubya's actions and Floridians shouldn't be blamed for their governor's actions
I'm definitely ready to vote for a woman or minority.
I like the dems because they have created programs that benefit the "have nots" and seem to want to continue to do so, but I can't say that I completely trust either party. And I hate how the conservative republican "christians" portray their beliefs and make the rest of us (christians) look like crazy fanatics- I could go on and on about that but I won't.
I agree with Heather- I am also ready to vote for a woman and/or a minority. A while back someone on facebook posted a "Clinton/Obama 2008" flyer and I was so excited- before I found out that it was fake. Perhaps one day in the near future we'll have the opportunity to vote for a woman or a minority...
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