Ok, maybe not "the outside" but definitely not from an informed source. I've never really "gotten" politics I keep trying to become more informed and more active and more and more I just get frustrated with the hate, ignorance, pettiness, and agendas that I just stop caring. Mostly I've been of the mind that I know what I like, and what I don't and I'll debate with my friends; people who, by and large, are reasonable- hell even when we disagree we can find some common ground. A concept that mainstream U.S. Politics is sorely missing.
But, as it's election day and I stupidly let my registration lapse (Sorry, I forgot that voting is when counties matter, just because I'm still in the same state why should I be able to vote easily?)I thought I'd jot down some thoughts. If my political muscle can't be flexed at the polls let it be flexed in the global community, such as it is
PROP 19
I guess I'll begin with the least polarizing issue of my peer group California's proposition for the legalization of marijuana I'm all for this. I'm not a pothead, nor even a drug user but from the potophiles that I've known, and there are many, I see zero reason for this to be a drug any more than caffeine. And, with the amount of money people spend on the stuff, were it to be taxed and regulated the state might get some much needed money. California already has medical marijuana, and frankly it's too easy to get a medical card. I know many, MANY people with them and know for a fact that they have no ailments to speak of. In my opinion, these people are defrauding a program designed to help people and that's despicable. But, were marijuana legal, not only would there be no fraud to worry about, the people that do legitimately need the drug could obtain it easier.
There are problems of course, I don't think it's a good idea for people to be able to grow their own. As stated above, it would need to be regulated. It's also still Federally considered an illegal drug which would have to be reconciled in some way. But, really, it should be decriminalized. What's the worst thing pot has led to? Napping? Weight gain? I personally don't get why people are so up in arms over pot. It used to be called a gateway drug, but studies have recently shown that to be untrue and in fact in my own experience the drug users I know have by and large been all pot all the time. And, of those users I would say most of them have had worse problems with alcohol than any other substance.
GAY MARRIAGE
This should be a no-brainier but I'm for it. Honestly if you're not for it than you're basically for people being treated differently based on circumstances that they can't control. It's exactly the same as when interracial couples couldn't marry in the 1960s, and it's part of a larger agenda of fear-mongering. People claim that it will damage the institution of marriage or that so-called traditional marriage would be less sacred. I've even heard that it would lead to a slippery slope in which people could marry barnyard animals, furniture, vegetables, etc. All of these arguments are patently idiotic as between straight people with the 50+% divorce rates and the current fascination with multiple person marriages (Sister Wives, Big Love, et al) “traditional” marriage is diluted and less sacred already. Hell, if you can do it at a drive-thru, it's not sacred. As far as the slippery slope...laws apply to humans, shut up
OBAMA
What president has changed the world in his first 2 years? Obama had a lot stacked up against him when he took office quite honestly the constant in-fighting and party-centric circle jerking would stop anyone from making vast sweeping changes. Also, he's a man, not a God. People need to lighten up on the guy. That's not to say that I'm all for him. While he did have my vote in '08 I do think that's he's trying to hard to be everyone's friend and not fighting for what he believes in, and what all of his supporters believed in. I'm still waiting for my healthcare, while daily praying that I don't get sick, or fall, or get in anyway injured. For people, especially the rich, predominately white, citizenry in my area to be completely ok with the idea that if I get sick, I could die because, although I have a job and work my ASS off I still have no insurance so tough shit makes me sick to my stomach. I would GLADLY pay higher taxes if some of that money went to helping people get the medical treatment they need. And before you say “county medical”, please apply for it, and try to see a doctor. The we'll talk. Wanna opt-out and pay for your own insurance? Ok, from what I've seen the Obama-care plan allows for that. I'm literally red-faced about this issue above all else. I thought this was America, the land of opportunity. Little did I know it was the opportunity to die form an easily curable infection because I'm not on the list. Silly me
As for Don't ask don't tell, I thought it was offensive and ridiculous when it was enacted and still do. I hear there are strides to get it pulled but courts keep blocking it. Why? Scared right-wing white men who are afraid that their secret Latin boy toys will be exposed if they seem pro gay. Let's move on
As to the assertions of socialism/fascism. Enh, in a perfect world socialism has tenants that are in fact good. That the ideology has always historically been linked to meglomanical crazies I think is bad luck more than anything. However, socialism is pretty screwed by human nature which causes people to always want more. Fascism, by the definitions I've read appears to be something both parties are after to a large degree. Is Obama either? Maybe, but in this nation where everything must be voted through committees, and votes and endless debate even if he was it wouldn't amount to anything, this leads me to...
PARTIES
Not all Democrats are Liberals, nor are all Republicans Conservatives. And even those who associate with those labels move around the political spectrum wildly . So why is that people seem convinced that ALL Democrats think alike? They don't. Ironically, when someone goes against their party it's seen as a a huge betrayal even though vote you conscience is also a tenant of politics. A party is a set of core values, not a brainwashing organization. Honestly, the party system makes me sick, only in that people tend to affiliate with a group and then solely associate with that group. How are you to get new ideas when you're constantly in a homogenous environment? It's like genetics, spread the genes around and you create a well-formed society, keep the genes together (by, say, mating with a sibling) and you get defects, mutations and disease. This is hardly new news people.
Similarly, this Bill O'Reilley vs The View thing. What he said was dumb, but it's a dumb many people agree with. But let me say this: to say “Muslims killed us on 9/11” is ignorant and is lumping people into unfair groups. Much like the terrorists involved with 9/11 who seem to believe that all Americans are the same so it doesn't matter quite which ones you kill. Just because there are a lot of [INSERT RELIGION HERE] extremists, doesn't mean ALL of even the vast majority of practitioners are extremists.
THE TEA PARTY
The newest offshoot of the Republican party (they claim to be non-partisan, which may be true but they appear to be predominately Republican), The Tea Party has a anti-incumbent pro-traditionalism standpoint. Sarah Palin is their figurehead in many respects, although anyone who doesn't think that she's, as a side job perhaps, just trying to stay socially relevant until her new reality show premieres is seriously missing the boat, and they named themselves after a historical act of rebellion against tyranny. These things all sound good, but why does everyone politically associated with this organization seem to: have major skeletons in the closet, be stupid, be racist, or have nothing really going for them except being photogenic. Seriously:
- Sharron Angle (R-NV): Gained national attention when one or her ads against rival Harry Reid was aired on “The View.” The ad, about immigration, showed scared white people cowering over shots of terrifying, twisted Hispanic men in “gang” garb. Anti-abortion (it's “against God's plan”,) anti-gay, alleged Scientologist.
- Ken Buck (R-CO) Anti-abortion, and anti gay. Said of Homosexuality"I think birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism… but I think that basically you have a choice." Really Ken? When did you decide to be straight? Not a bigot, which in fact is a choice, but when did you consciously decide you liked women?
- Carl Palladino (R-NY) ...let the internet tell you: “He personally opposes same-sex marriage. He has spoken negatively of the concept of gay pride particularly the sexual demonstrations at gay pride parades, which he believes are unsuitable for children. Innnn a speech to a group of Hasidic Jews organized by Yehuda Levin on 10 October 2010, Paladino said, “I just think my children and your children would be much better off and much more successful getting married and raising a family, and I don’t want them brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t.”He later stated that he did not agree with the statement and had not fully proofread the speech before he read it” He has a 10-year daughter from an affair.
- Nikki Haley (R-SC) Multiple allegations of affairs, including with disgraced former SC governor Mark Sanford. In her favor though she is of Sikh heritage and has fought hard against racism.
- Christine O'Donnell (R-DE) Constant late-night joke, alleged former witch, anti-masturbation, recently alleged to have had a tacky drunken Halloween one-night stand, and doesn't believe that separation of Church and State is laid out in the Constitution, a document I doubt she's read. (POINT OF ORDER she claims she was pointing about that the words separation of church and state do not appear in the first amendment, which is true, it was a phrase codified by Thomas Jefferson in a note written during his presidency, but the idea is affirmed in the Constitution as anyone who even barely paid attention in 8th grade social studies knows)
I'm not saying that they don't have a point to a degree, As I said earlier spreading the ideas around is a good idea and some incumbents may need to go. But should they be replaced with the stellar choices above? Doubt it.
BULLYING
I'm going to take a different track on this, maybe if the self-hating closet case lawmakers would own up to who they are and stop making anti-gay laws while secretly providing half of the gay ghettos of the US with hooker fodder maybe this country would lighten up on the bullying. I am so sick and tired of watching the news and hearing some combination of the following: Straight, white, Republican, Preacher, Married, vehemently anti-gay, or Senator immediately followed by sex-scandal, rent-boy, underage boys, men's room, hookers, etc.
- Mark Foley
- Larry Craig
- Ted Haggard
- George Rekers
- Roy Ashburn
- Eddie Long
And several parties are trying to forcibly out Senator Lindsey Graham. If these men, powerful in their professions, had the guts so many of us have and would come out and admit who they are, maybe laws and attitudes would begin to change. But no, they are viciously anti-gay and in many cases make laws that keep us down while secretly being AT LEAST BISEXUAL. Be honest with yourself, and the world and and own up to your own thoughts and ideas, to do anything else is a lie. Also, as was always told to me when I was being bullied in school “He who screams faggot the loudest, sucks the best d**k”
I said earlier that I'm not too well informed about this stuff, and I'm not. But, as my not-legal-but-in-all-other-ways Husband said this evening when he was young he learned to ask “why”. And, though he might never get a real answer to “why” he'll never stop asking. That's where I'm at. I know I'll never know enough to be a political powerhouse but I do hope to always question, always learn and grow and most of all, to spread my ideas around and gather information, thoughts and ideas, And rail against those who don't
