One of the funnier things I've read since Tuesday's festivities:
I guess a girl can dream.
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label election. Show all posts
1.23.2009
11.08.2008
still divided
The presidential election on November 4, 2008 was an historic event for our nation. Given our painful history, an African-American president-elect is a step in the direction of reconciliation. Yet we cannot ignore the deep divide that still exists not only in our nation but in the Church. We hear some believers as they express excitement about a president-elect who is decidedly against unnecessary war and believes we are not doing enough to address poverty in our nation and a broken health care system. At the same time, there are other believers who see a president-elect Obama as a sign the end is near. They believe his tax plan hints of socialism and his ethical views are sinful. Make no mistake: we are deeply divided, and this divide goes beyond race.
As believers, or in a more general sense, as human beings, I fear we have lost our sense of humility and our tolerance for ambiguity. Without hesitation we promote our opinions as if they were not frail human creations but absolute truths from God. It is a sad time when we cannot or will not admit we do not know all that we claim to know with any certainty. No matter where we fall on these issues or for whom we voted on November 4, we have to be willing to admit that we are not as “right” as we think we are. Too often, it is this attitude of certainty that alienates our brothers and sisters who believe differently. Until we are willing to reach across the aisles of the church and dialog with those who follow the same Jesus but supported different candidates, we will continue to perpetuate the great divide that says, “I’m right and you’re wrong and I will treat you poorly because of it.” Now is a time for a humility that admits human weakness and a perfect love that casts out fear of one another.
As believers, or in a more general sense, as human beings, I fear we have lost our sense of humility and our tolerance for ambiguity. Without hesitation we promote our opinions as if they were not frail human creations but absolute truths from God. It is a sad time when we cannot or will not admit we do not know all that we claim to know with any certainty. No matter where we fall on these issues or for whom we voted on November 4, we have to be willing to admit that we are not as “right” as we think we are. Too often, it is this attitude of certainty that alienates our brothers and sisters who believe differently. Until we are willing to reach across the aisles of the church and dialog with those who follow the same Jesus but supported different candidates, we will continue to perpetuate the great divide that says, “I’m right and you’re wrong and I will treat you poorly because of it.” Now is a time for a humility that admits human weakness and a perfect love that casts out fear of one another.
10.19.2008
pros and cons of Obama
Well, I'm sort of on the fence right now with the election. I will most likely vote for McCain at this point, but not with much gusto. In my opinion, he's only a marginally better option than Obama... but lately, Obama has been looking better to me. I'm just not ready to say he will get my vote, and I'm not sure I will be able to.
So I thought it would be good for me to put together a little pro/con list for Obama. Keep in mind, what I consider cons, some people consider pros, so this list is really specific to me. Let's start with the cons:
Cons:
1. Obama's tax plan.
- I'm not thrilled at the idea of a tax credit for 95% of Americans, 40% of which do not pay income tax at all. So it's really not a tax "cut" per se, but a refundable tax credit for everyone. That leans a little too much toward socialism for me: taxing the rich to give to the poor, even those who don't pay into the system anyway.
2. Obama's Healthcare plan.
- Sure, free healthcare sounds great. So does free car insurance, free life insurance, and free clothing. The healthcare system in this country is sick, but I don't think nationalizing it is the answer. I think that will only add to the sickness. Healthcare needs to be affordable, and to become affordable, it needs to be competitive. If we are actually able to afford healthcare and companies are able to compete for our business, I think that will help heal the healthcare system, even if it's just a little bit.
3. Obama's Iraq plan.
- Ok, no one wants to be in Iraq anymore. It's been pretty rough on the country. Obama's plan to have the troops out in 16 months is commendable, but only if it's safe to do so. But my real problem with the plan is that too much of his other proposals hinge on the success of his withdrawal plan. In other words, he plans to help fund his healthcare plan and tax credits with money that is currently going to fund the war. That's what scares me about his withdrawal plan. If it doesn't work out and we have to stay in Iraq but the tax credits and healthcare plans pass, then we're in trouble.
4. Obama's idea about the economic crisis.
- He keeps blaming Bush and therefore McCain for the current financial crisis, when everyone knows who's really to blame: EVERYONE! Democrats, Republicans, Wall Street, ambitious home buyers, etc. I don't like that he is willing to use the crisis to advance his campaign by making these statements.
5. Obama's experience.
- He only has one solid year in the Senate before beginning his candidacy. That's not quite enough in my opinion. I'm not sure how this got turned around. Why is it we can talk about how little experience Palin has but the same conversation doesn't even come up with Obama? Even Hillary doesn't think he has enough experience (at least that's what she said before he won the nomination).
Pros:
1. Obama is unifying.
- This is a big one for me. Obama is not nearly as polarizing a figure as McCain and definitely Palin. The public's opinion of Palin is either one of blind love or ruthless hatred. There's not much middle ground. I've heard friends say they would vote for her as president in a heart beat while others think she's a joke and will destroy the country. Obama is not nearly as polarizing, and that's something we need right now considering how polarized Washington is.
2. Obama is well spoken.
- Sad but true. This matters. He can articulate his thoughts well, whether they are his own or his parties'. When he talks, it sounds right. We're coming off a time when the current president struggles in this area... big time. I don't think we need anymore second hand embarassment everytime our president speaks.
3. Obama has Biden.
- At least there's some experience with Biben. But that's all I'll say.
I'm sure there's more pros, but that's all I got right now. I'll have to put some thought into all of this.
So I thought it would be good for me to put together a little pro/con list for Obama. Keep in mind, what I consider cons, some people consider pros, so this list is really specific to me. Let's start with the cons:
Cons:
1. Obama's tax plan.
- I'm not thrilled at the idea of a tax credit for 95% of Americans, 40% of which do not pay income tax at all. So it's really not a tax "cut" per se, but a refundable tax credit for everyone. That leans a little too much toward socialism for me: taxing the rich to give to the poor, even those who don't pay into the system anyway.
2. Obama's Healthcare plan.
- Sure, free healthcare sounds great. So does free car insurance, free life insurance, and free clothing. The healthcare system in this country is sick, but I don't think nationalizing it is the answer. I think that will only add to the sickness. Healthcare needs to be affordable, and to become affordable, it needs to be competitive. If we are actually able to afford healthcare and companies are able to compete for our business, I think that will help heal the healthcare system, even if it's just a little bit.
3. Obama's Iraq plan.
- Ok, no one wants to be in Iraq anymore. It's been pretty rough on the country. Obama's plan to have the troops out in 16 months is commendable, but only if it's safe to do so. But my real problem with the plan is that too much of his other proposals hinge on the success of his withdrawal plan. In other words, he plans to help fund his healthcare plan and tax credits with money that is currently going to fund the war. That's what scares me about his withdrawal plan. If it doesn't work out and we have to stay in Iraq but the tax credits and healthcare plans pass, then we're in trouble.
4. Obama's idea about the economic crisis.
- He keeps blaming Bush and therefore McCain for the current financial crisis, when everyone knows who's really to blame: EVERYONE! Democrats, Republicans, Wall Street, ambitious home buyers, etc. I don't like that he is willing to use the crisis to advance his campaign by making these statements.
5. Obama's experience.
- He only has one solid year in the Senate before beginning his candidacy. That's not quite enough in my opinion. I'm not sure how this got turned around. Why is it we can talk about how little experience Palin has but the same conversation doesn't even come up with Obama? Even Hillary doesn't think he has enough experience (at least that's what she said before he won the nomination).
Pros:
1. Obama is unifying.
- This is a big one for me. Obama is not nearly as polarizing a figure as McCain and definitely Palin. The public's opinion of Palin is either one of blind love or ruthless hatred. There's not much middle ground. I've heard friends say they would vote for her as president in a heart beat while others think she's a joke and will destroy the country. Obama is not nearly as polarizing, and that's something we need right now considering how polarized Washington is.
2. Obama is well spoken.
- Sad but true. This matters. He can articulate his thoughts well, whether they are his own or his parties'. When he talks, it sounds right. We're coming off a time when the current president struggles in this area... big time. I don't think we need anymore second hand embarassment everytime our president speaks.
3. Obama has Biden.
- At least there's some experience with Biben. But that's all I'll say.
I'm sure there's more pros, but that's all I got right now. I'll have to put some thought into all of this.
10.09.2008
economic discomfort
My fan requested I update my blog. So here we go!
Financial Crisis... huge issue in the US right now. HUGE! Everyone is blaming everyone else, and the problem gets worse. We're even talking about the second Great Depression.
But here's my question: How is it really effecting you? I can tell you specifically how it's effecting me and Nikki, but I would call that more of a frustration than a crisis. It's not really destroying the quality of my everyday life.
Also, I keep hearing how no banks are loaning anymore and no one can get a credit card and other similar complaints. I get credit card offers almost daily, and the TV and radio commercials are constantly offering mortgages and other loans. A talk show host recently asked listeners to see if they can qualify and obtain various loans, and many of them were able to with little prerequisites.
So yeah, the stock market is in bad shape and tons of people can't pay their mortgages (although many of them should never have qualified for a mortgage in the first place). And I know a lot of people are losing money with their 401Ks and other such investments (but those investments will eventually come back... we hope). But is that really the situation most "Main Street" Americans are facing? Or is the fear something drummed up by all the media attention to the issue?
And who really is to blame? Democrats? Yep. Republicans? Yep. Wall Street? Yep. People buying houses who really can't afford them? Yep. Me and you? Probably not.
I know, I don't have a real clear point with this blog, but the whole financial thing is just driving me crazy!
Financial Crisis... huge issue in the US right now. HUGE! Everyone is blaming everyone else, and the problem gets worse. We're even talking about the second Great Depression.
But here's my question: How is it really effecting you? I can tell you specifically how it's effecting me and Nikki, but I would call that more of a frustration than a crisis. It's not really destroying the quality of my everyday life.
Also, I keep hearing how no banks are loaning anymore and no one can get a credit card and other similar complaints. I get credit card offers almost daily, and the TV and radio commercials are constantly offering mortgages and other loans. A talk show host recently asked listeners to see if they can qualify and obtain various loans, and many of them were able to with little prerequisites.
So yeah, the stock market is in bad shape and tons of people can't pay their mortgages (although many of them should never have qualified for a mortgage in the first place). And I know a lot of people are losing money with their 401Ks and other such investments (but those investments will eventually come back... we hope). But is that really the situation most "Main Street" Americans are facing? Or is the fear something drummed up by all the media attention to the issue?
And who really is to blame? Democrats? Yep. Republicans? Yep. Wall Street? Yep. People buying houses who really can't afford them? Yep. Me and you? Probably not.
I know, I don't have a real clear point with this blog, but the whole financial thing is just driving me crazy!
3.31.2008
We're just not ready... or are we?
I would like to follow up on something here… a few months ago I wrote about Obama and Hillary and the possibility of someone voting for a non-white or woman president just to “break the mold.” There’s more to that, and you can read it below.
I did have a follow-up thought to add. If McCain (since he is the Republican nominee) beats either Obama or Clinton, there is a possibility that many people would begin to say something to the effect of, “This country is just not ready for a non-white, non-male president…” as if to suggest we’re not as culturally enlightened as we think we are.
But is that really the case? If McCain was elected, would that really mean we are still racist and sexist? Or could it possibly mean he was the better choice?
All of this is not to say we, as a nation, are in a great place in terms of race and gender equality. There is always much work to be done.
But at the same time, I think we ARE ready for a non-white or non-male president! And I think we should make those types of statements now. If someone really thinks we are not ready, then the result of the election should not change his or her mind.
I guess one thing that I'm saying is that, if the election goes to McCain, I don't want to hear people saying, "we're just not ready." To me, that's a copout. Say it now if you believe it.
3.07.2008
Barack O'Clinton (from xanga)
#2 from xanga. I wrote this one a while ago before it was just Clinton and Obama in the race for the Democratic Nomination. After Super Tuesday, we realized just how much what I wrote about was actually happening. So many women who did the exit polls were saying how they just "had to vote for Hillary because she's a woman..." Sad. here it is:
I want to tread very lightly here as I type out the following thoughts... This is just a theory, and I don't want anyone to be too offended. But here's what I'm thinking:
I haven't really decided on which Presidential hopeful is the best choice for '08, but I'm a little concerned at this point. My general thought lately has been that, if we're being honest, the first non-white, non-male president does not necessarily have to have been the best of the candidates. The fact that such a person is non-white and non-male already gives him or her a head start. My fear is that we will be too eager to break the ol' white male only presidential mold to pick the most capable candidate.
I'm not sure if I'm being clear. Let me preface by saying that I believe the day this country has a female or non-white President will be a great day! It will be a beautiful display of the amount of progress we have made as a country, and will also most likely bring the amount of work we have left to do to the surface. It truly will be no small thing when we have this person as our leader.
But I'm afraid the desire to hasten that day will be strong enough to influence any one of us to choose an inferior candidate because of race or sex. That would really be a mistake.
Now I'm not saying anything against the two candidates who fit the above profiles running in the current election. It may be that one of them is really the best person for this country. But if that is not the case, I'm worried one of those people would be elected hastily in order to break the mold and prove to the world we're not as racist and sexist as they all think.
But wouldn't it be equally as racist or as sexist to vote FOR a candidate simply because of the color of his or her skin or the sex she so happens to be? If racism can be partially defined as judging the quality of a person by the color of his or her skin, then shouldn't that go both ways, whether they are judged to be less qualified or more qualified simply by that standard?
Am I making sense or am I just sounding like a white male?
I want to tread very lightly here as I type out the following thoughts... This is just a theory, and I don't want anyone to be too offended. But here's what I'm thinking:
I haven't really decided on which Presidential hopeful is the best choice for '08, but I'm a little concerned at this point. My general thought lately has been that, if we're being honest, the first non-white, non-male president does not necessarily have to have been the best of the candidates. The fact that such a person is non-white and non-male already gives him or her a head start. My fear is that we will be too eager to break the ol' white male only presidential mold to pick the most capable candidate.
I'm not sure if I'm being clear. Let me preface by saying that I believe the day this country has a female or non-white President will be a great day! It will be a beautiful display of the amount of progress we have made as a country, and will also most likely bring the amount of work we have left to do to the surface. It truly will be no small thing when we have this person as our leader.
But I'm afraid the desire to hasten that day will be strong enough to influence any one of us to choose an inferior candidate because of race or sex. That would really be a mistake.
Now I'm not saying anything against the two candidates who fit the above profiles running in the current election. It may be that one of them is really the best person for this country. But if that is not the case, I'm worried one of those people would be elected hastily in order to break the mold and prove to the world we're not as racist and sexist as they all think.
But wouldn't it be equally as racist or as sexist to vote FOR a candidate simply because of the color of his or her skin or the sex she so happens to be? If racism can be partially defined as judging the quality of a person by the color of his or her skin, then shouldn't that go both ways, whether they are judged to be less qualified or more qualified simply by that standard?
Am I making sense or am I just sounding like a white male?
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