Most people, including my dear husband, might assume that a college educated, forward thinking person like myself would vote for Obama this year. Those people might be surprised to learn that I have not yet decided whether or not Obama will get my vote. No, no, no, don't worry I'm not voting for McOldy and What's-her-face either. It's just that Obama with all his charisma and charm has not convinced me that he's truly what this country needs. In fact, no one man (or woman) is what this country needs.
I'm sorry to burst some bubbles here but Barack Obama is just one man, one American. His campaign slogan might be "hope and change" but we shouldn't fool ourselves into believing that a new president, whoever he is, will bring that. I believe that putting too much faith in a man -- and a politician at that -- is dangerous. I'll admit that Obama's sugar coated plans to bring hope and change, and "spread the wealth" around sound decidedly wonderful and refreshing but I don't see a few policy changes in the next 4 (or even 8) years righting this crashing plane.
We each need to pull the wool off, get out from behind our tv/computer screens, make like Gandhi and be the change we want to see in this world. Whatever you decide to mark on your ballot this year don't let it be the only action you make toward change. Don't hope for change, be it.
Oh, and one more thing before you break your keyboard trying to tell me off...
if I were not in California (a state that will vote Democrat) Obama would likely get my vote. But being in a liberal state has afforded me the opportunity to think about putting my vote toward something even more left than the barely-if-at-all-left Obama-Biden ticket.
I've been doing some research and Nader's Peace and Freedom platform appeals to my idealistic side in a way "hope and change" only hint at. I like to believe that within each of us is a spirit to love one another in a way that would take Peace and Freedom from idealism to reality.
If my vote ends up in this third party ticket it's not that I don't believe Obama would be a better president than another Republican, it's that I believe in something even more.
Comments (3)
Totally understand your feelings darling. Honestly if I felt that my vote would "count" on a 3rd party I would do it in a heartbeat also because I do lean farther left than the mainstream. These party systems are ridiculous on their own but I won't go there. I am putting in my vote fortunately (or unfortunately if someone might say)in the place I think will make the biggest impact, especially being in a swing state. I love you idealist beliefs and won't give you a hard time for it at all.
P.S. My dad voted for Nader in the previous election and I know he doesn't regret it. :)
Posted by jess | October 23, 2008 9:22 AM
Posted on October 23, 2008 09:22
Have you read most of the policy changes Obama wants to enact?
No one person is the solution, but I don't really believe socialism would be the thing to get our economy back on track either.
Oh well at least it sounds like you will vote this time.
Posted by Dan | October 25, 2008 11:37 PM
Posted on October 25, 2008 23:37
Great post. Thanks so much. Yes, sometimes it seems we’re typing to the cyber-breezes…. then, someone will leave a comment that really connects you to the outside world and you know you are in a community.
Posted by nike air jordan | June 5, 2010 3:04 PM
Posted on June 5, 2010 15:04