Come on, people! I've got just 40 comments to gather until this blog has hit the 3,000 mark! Spammers, I know you have it in you to send me a bunch of worthless crap overnight! I think about a third of my total is probably spam, so I guess I need 1,040 jen-u-ine commentz before reaching the summit. Bring it on! Crown me homecoming king or else.
Alternately titled: T-bone talks about politics and religion in the same blog post
I think the TV ads for Kentucky Fried Chicken (oops, I mean "KFC") hit the mark in their commentary of the political scene. "Left wing, right wing – it tastes the same to me." Yeah, I have convictions on what's right and wrong (just as most politicians have convictions for misdemeanors), and I care about some of the issues. But really, our political system – a seesaw democratic republic – is chock full of checks and balances (and 18 essential vitamins and minerals) so it doesn't matter so much who's got the top job.
It's a popularity contest based on who is the least annoying, or who has the juiciest sound bite right before we head to the polls.
Lasting change is rarely effected because the first thing a political changing of the guard accomplishes is trying to erase what the other party has done for four or eight years. Republic tax cuts, oh no! Democratic tax increases! Republican deregulation, yipes! Democratic red tape!
Sure, I identify more with one party than the other but that still leaves me cold and empty on the inside. Washington, D.C. is so far away from Texas (even with a Texan living in the big white house). As former U.S. speaker of the house Tip O'Neal so poignantly touted: all politics is local. I guess that means I should write in the names of my mayor and city council members for national office. That would clean up things around here, but prolly not help the beltway much.
I take issue when the "religion card" is played by politicos as well. Knowing God and arguing about whether or not a political party is closer to Heaven's edicts is silly. In my beliefs, God's son Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life and was crucified on a wooden cross to bear the sins of all men. He was the sacrifice that lets people, all of whom are sinners and not worthy of heaven, back into that place after they croak if only they accept Christ. This stuff is in the Bible, people, and has been translated into plain English many times over.
My point is that religion – purely the acceptance of God and his son's sacrifice (both are part of the holy trinity, technically one entity, but we won't get into that here) – has nothing to do with politics. It's not an intellectual argument, it's a matter of the heart. Religion is personal, even though some of us are mandated (again, by that special book, the Word of God) to share our love of Christ, making it clear every person has a choice and that His love is available to all.
I also take issue with blanket "get out the vote" campaigns. Come on, it's nice to have a ton of people vote, but that probably means a lot of stupid people vote – many of them casting the wrong votes. A vote cast in ignorance is a vote cast into the wind – pretty much worthless.
I remember standing behind an old couple during a state constitutional amendment election, and the woman was whining about how the constitution shouldn't be changed. Well, one of the items on the ballot was a measure that would allow cities, counties and hospital districts to freeze taxes (halting any increases for appraisals or rate hikes) for senior citizens 65 and older. She was so dumb she didn't realize it would help her. Of course, I'm now 31 and the passage of that measure (now enacted in my city) means I'll bear the brunt of the inevitable tax increases. Thanks, Texas!
So, vote Democratically or Republicanly, but only if you have common sense and know what and for whom you're voting for. And by golly, taunt me if you like, but Jesus saves and has my vote over anybody else. You sure don't have to agree.
Whew, that took a lot out of me. For those who came here seeking something light and fluffy, tune in tomorrow. Everyone else is free to shoot holes in my thoughts here (I am a moving target, so take careful aim), agree/disagree, what-evuh. You can even call me names (I prefer insults with the word "poop" in them because, face it, poop is funny).
Keep those comments rolling in!
poop is funny, I don't care who you are, poop is funny. And it doesn't matter who is President, life goes on. It's the local guys who tax the "poop" out of ya.
A vote cast in ignorance is a vote cast into the wind ? pretty much worthless.
Oh, if only that were true! Unfortunately, the votes of the ignorant and stupid count just as much as those of the informed and intelligent. That's the downside of democracy. :(
Here is a comment. Yay!
And seriously, I hope people really do look at the candidates before they vote. Some just vote for their party, and they makes me angry!
If you wanted lots of comments you sure picked the right topics!
Here's a gen-u-wine comment for you.
Have a great evening, Mr. Two posts in one day!
Cas
I say don't vote Democrat or Republican. I'd rather waste my vote for a third party candidate that I agree with (NOT ralph nader). If left to their own devices (or colaborations) the dems and reps will run this country into a financial hole deeper than the Marianas Trench.
I'll chime -- albeit late -- to disagree slightly with Chris.
In some cases, IMO, a vote for Nader is about as good a thing that can happen.
IE: Here in California, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Kerry will win the state. So much so, that we haven't seen Bush in something like a billion years.
So, why not boost (in this case write-in) Nader's vote totals as a message that we're tired of the way the system works as you describe it.
I don't remember the numbers of the top of my head, but it's probably more than 2/3s of the states that aren't in play this election.
In those states it's much better to vote Nader, Libertarian, etc. in large numbers. That, IMO, is a much better protest than not voting.
Jesus Saves!
Gretsky picks up the rebound and SCORES!!
Ok, sorry about that--old joke. Which reminds me of: "Yo Mama is so old, she still owes Jesus a dollar." Ok, again, I digress.
I don't quite know what an ignorant vote is. That kind of "in the wind" statement smells a bit like condescention to me. I say let the edjits vote--that's the reason we have an Electoral College.
As for the Donkeys vs. Elephants. I HATE the choices with which we're faced every election year. Kerry is a big ol' Frankenstein, uncoordinated walking stick who has absolutely nothing in common with the middle class. Even worse...his speeches induce the deepest of sleeps--and I'm an insomniac for Christ's sake. And Bushie...well...Bushie is Bushie. Not much more can be said about him. His admin's record speaks volumes. I am probably the typical voter--frustrated that neither party has anything in common with me; that Washington is run by lobbyists and Pharmaceutical Companies, and that every election we're faced with two Mo-Mos who spew out regurgitated, rehearsed lines over and over and over.
On the religion tip, I don't care who or what anyone believes in--as long as they don't give me the propagandist bullshit in order to convert me, or as long as no crimes are committed in His name. As Christopher Hitchens so eloquently put in in his "Letters to a Young Contrarian:" (and I paraphrase) The point of argument is not to persuade one to his opponent's side; it's to refine and re-shape, almost sharpen to a fine point--like a pencil, the position of the argument.
If we all learned that there'd be less heartache all around.
Amen!