Before I start this, I want to make one thing clear. I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I'm one of those coveted Independents who is not registered with either party, who leans right on some issues and left on others. I did take a chance with a vote for Obama 4 years ago and have been sorely disappointed. I've become more and more a "Live Free or Die" New Hampshire Libertarian since moving to Mississippi. Get your stinkin' government junk out of my face (not an easy thing for me to say since my husband works for the government ... but, well, I do what I can).
Anyway, I have something to say. I have nowhere else to post this since I'm not on Facebook or writing a political blog anymore. So you're stuck with it here. Sorry. You've been warned and can stop reading now if you avoid political commentary.
Your first lesson in Civics and Political Activity from your's truly is this: If you have something to say, then say it.
I'm not watching the Republican convention because I just can't stomach the "commentary" from the media peanut gallery. This campaign season is showing strong signs of literally making me vomit before it's over. I don't go so far as to lump in all media as "liberal wackos" or whatever the extreme right calls them these days but ... hello? Chris Matthews? David Chalian and the "I stand with David" twitter blitz? Seriously? Democrat friends, why are you not embarrassed by this? They're completely out of control! I'm embarrassed in your behalf!
Anyway ... So I'm reading the speeches. I read Ann Romney's. I might watch Mia Love's as well as read it - I'd like to form my own impression of her. I'm halfway through Paul Ryan's speech and this line totally caught me under the ribs:
President Obama was asked not long ago to reflect on any mistakes he might have made. He said, well, "I haven't communicated enough." He said his job is to "tell a story to the American people"- as if that's the whole problem here? He needs to talk more, and we need to be better listeners?
Ladies and gentlemen, these past four years we have suffered no shortage of words in the White House. What's missing is leadership in the White House. And the story that Barack Obama does tell, forever shifting blame to the last administration, is getting old. The man assumed office almost four years ago- isn't it about time he assumed responsibility?
- Paul Ryan, acceptance speech to VP nomination
BINGO! I had to walk away from the computer because I needed to laugh about that for a few minutes. I remember that interview (noted here and apparently he said it again to Time last week). That SO pegs it for me. About a year into the Obama administration, I had no interest in hearing another word from that man's mouth because he just talked and talked and talked and talked ... and then he said something about "selling the health care bill to the American people" after the bill was passed - a little late, Buddy! He was not the go-to guy to do that because again, I had no interest in anything he had to say.
And the second half of this quote - I am sick to death of "Bush's fault, Bush's fault, Bush's fault." Okay, so let's say everything wrong with our country is Bush's fault. Fine. Obama ran a campaign in 2008 of fixing what Bush did wrong - he was our guy to make it better. But what has he done for 4 years? Whine that it's all Bush's fault. He didn't actually do anything about Iraq or Afghanistan or the economy or the job market or the housing market or student loans. From my view in the cheap seats - which most people in America have because we're not working on Capitol Hill - Obama didn't even try. It's a new campaign and a new election and we're still just hearing "It's Bush's fault." We get it. Bush is Satan. Now get over it. DO something.
Obama most definitely does not get my vote this election - his campaign is really really annoying by not promoting anything Obama/Biden have done that's been any good but only shrieking that "Romney is EEEEEEEVIL! and wants to KILL you!" So I'm reading the Republican stuff to make sure I'm good with throwing in with them. I figure, we've seen what politicians and lawyers do with a bad economy - screw it up even worse. Let's let a businessman take a crack at it.
3 comments:
Hear, hear! Totally agree with you Treen, although I did not fall for all of Obama's promises 4 years ago. Keep up the Civics lessons please.
Isn't it funny. I am political an independent as well. But I cannot stand the Romney campaign. And I do believe that Obama has tried to do the things he set out. I don't agree with his methods. I have huge issues with our congress and senate. Why aren't we looking to fix those blatant issues? It seems to easy to fixate and blame the president who really is just an ornamental piece of frippery anyway (it shouldn't be that way but it has been for my lifetime).
I can't vote for Romney for a myriad of reasons. I haven't been able to watch the Republican mess this week because of the press mess and because, well, I don't watch informercials. It really is just a week long melodrama. In the same token, I don't watch the democrats ridiculous mess either. I read online (like yourself). I try to ignore the media's 'take' since it is always skewed to network politics. So pointless.
You vote for who you believe in, but I think both candidates are unworthy of the title and I think they will both do more harm than good. I really wish there was a better way or that we could fix the issues at hand.
I read this when you first posted it, but didn't get a chance to comment. I enjoy reading your political thoughts! I am also a moderate independent voter. I agree with a lot of what you said about Obama. I did not vote for him '08 for a few reasons, but in large part because I felt that he did not have much experience and had not been "vetted" properly because so many people were so darn in love with him.
I am having a heck of a time making up my mind this year. I don't think Obama's job performance has been up to par. I think the Republicans in Congress have been stonewalling and insufferable, but still I think Obama could have done better than he's done. Still when I look at the issues and take online quizzes, my views end up being slightly more aligned with Obama than with Romney. But STILL, how can I vote for someone I feel has been mostly ineffectual for FOUR years.
I have generally always selected a candidate from one of the two major parties (at least in national elections), but this year I just don't know that I can do it. I have been exploring minor party candidates, but I am, in all seriousness, thinking of writing in my mom...at least then I could feel that I voted for someone I believe in. All I know is that I can't wait for this election cycle to be over; I am starting to hate Facebook because of it :)
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