I was born during the Johnson Administration. I don't hear a lot of folks looking back fondly at him.
My very first memory of anything historically significant is sitting on my father's lap during the Watergate hearings and listening to him growl, "Nixon's a damn crook!"
Then I remember some of the outrage over Ford pardoning Nixon.
Next came Carter and his unique ability to perpetuate the national malaise.
Reagan may have been the Great Communicator but watching the nonsense about the Iran-Contra affair and hearing him repeat how he "had no specific recollection of those events" made me decide he was either lying or in the throes of dementia even then.
Bush the Elder was tainted by the same thing.
Clinton was swept in and we got to split hairs on what constitutes sexual relations and how to define the word "is."
Now for the last two terms we've had Dubya who rammed the Unpatriotic Act down our throats and led us to Iraq based on lies.
Lord.Have.Mercy
So, given that lineup of leaders do you understand why I am pretty skeptical regarding any candidate? Now I have a daughter who will miss being old enough to vote this November by a little over a month. However, a high percentage of her classmates will be old enough and a lot of them are very excited about having their voices heard. Seeing these kids paying attention and anxious to cast their first vote gives me some hope.
Let's consider the fact that for their entire lives they have only had a Bush or a Clinton in office. That's a bit sobering to me. It feels kind of dynastic to me. I don't like that. For that reason as well as some others I absolutely will not vote for Hillary. I haven't decided who I think the best candidate is but I don't even want to consider that we might possibly have another 8 years of a Clinton. Four of Bush the Elder, 8 of Slick Willy, 8 of Dubya the Idiot, and possibly 8 of Hillary. Folks, that is TWENTY-EIGHT years of TWO families holding the highest office. Is that what the USA is about? I sure hope not.
Now, in Pennsylvania we don't hold our primary until the end of April. Never in my life has a Presidential primary meant a bucket of spit as far as determining who the candidate will be because by then it has always been long decided. Along with that, I refuse to declare a party because I am deeply cynical about all things political and I think both the Democratic and the Republican parties are full of shit and more concerned about grabbing and holding on to power as long as they can, not about serving the best interest of our nation or her people. In other states a voter doesn't have to declare a party in order to cast a vote in the primary. They walk up, ask for a ballot of whichever party they want and cast a vote. In PA a citizen must declare a party in order to vote during the primary. I once went to vote only on a referendum item that was up during a primary election and the poll workers had fits at me until I told them I was ONLY voting on the referendum not the candidates.
So why am I telling you all of this? Well, Hillary won Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island yesterday, which means she will not be conceding any time soon. As such, Pennsylvania finally matters in the primary. Much as it pains me to declare a party and makes me feel like a piece of my soul is going to die to do so, I am going to go declare myself a Democrat for long enough to vote AGAINST Hillary. The day after the primary I'm going back to being unaffiliated. Many years ago I declared myself a Republican long enough to vote against one of their candidates who I found completely odious. I guess this will cosmically balance out that but I am pretty sure I am still going to need some sort of ritual cleansing when I undeclare myself. If you have the name of a good shaman, exorcist or other person who may help in restoring my conscience and calm leave the particulars in the comments.
Whatever happens, I am thankful to live in a country where I can spout off like this without fear of reprisal. You all are welcome to disagree with my thoughts here or tell me I am wrong to vote against instead of for a candidate. All I ask is that you remain civil in your comments.
41 comments:
While I don't agree with everything you've said (a lot, just not all), I will forever defend your right to say it. That's the absolute best part of living in this country, the freedom to "spout off like this without fear of reprisal."
Yay free speech!!!
I'm still torn between Clinton and Obama. I also don't like the dynastic aspect of another Clinton in the White House, but I'm just not sure about Obama yet. I won't vote for McCain either, though he is, in my mind, the least offensive of the (former) Republican wanna-bes.
bunny, thanks for your input. yeah, i'm not really sold on obama either. i just loathe the idea of hillary that much.
I was sworn to vote for a democrat since Clinton was in office pretty much. Although neither party has a stellar record with interest groups, the rights' ties with military and oil is downright apocalyptic. but now, with the options of Hillary or Obama, two candidates that I don't think can win the Dumbfuckistan (aka red states) vote, I'm just glad Romney dropped out.
ROCK ON SISTER!!!!
furiousball, how do ya really feel about the red states? i sense you are holding back ;)
muffin top, rock own wit ya own bad self :)
28 years and two families... I hadn't thought of it like that yet. That makes a much better argument in my opinion on why we shouldnt vote for Hil (one of many reasons). I just can't agree with those who will vote for her on the sole basis that she has a vagina.
Very well put Lime.
Really what a moment in American history that is happening right before our eyes...no wait! Scratch that!
What a moment for all Americans to make some serious history!
Go Phain, GO!
(still being civil)
Thanks for reminding us that our vote will effect our children in years to come.
phain, shakes ya up a bit doesn't it? and i agree...don't vote for anyone based on what genitalia they possess
s, it's momentous for sure!
Had to swing through to tell you, I declared a party for the WA state primary, same situation here and it bugs me too.
So I am temporarily a Democrat myself and I have to tell you, it doesn't hurt :p
I'm waiting till after the general to switch back to indi.
logo, phew! thanks for the reassurances. temporary democrats...good name for a rock band, no?
I really don't like any of our options right now. The closest I came to getting behind a candidate was Ron Paul, but that was just because of his stance on less government (doing away with unnecessary offices) and abolishing the IRS. I can’t remember off the top of my head what his alternative suggestion to the taxman would be, but it might even been the Fair Tax Act.
Speaking of fair Tax, I also considered (and this guy has a better chance at going the distance than Ron Paul) Mike Huckabee because he claimed his first act if elected would be to abolish the IRS.
Can you tell I’m not a big fan of the outlaw agency?
Basically, I want a president who will keep their hands out of my pockets and keep their noses out of my business. As long as I’m not interfering with someone else’s rights, back the F#(( off! :D
james, don't even start me on the IRS...i am no fan either and i say the sooner it's abolished the better. (i'm thinking you and i could both rant at great length given your recent experience and my past history with this agency.) i am no fan of any of the viable candidates either to be honest. right now i am motivated by revulsion not affection.
You really prefer the policyless Barack "let's think about the American dream and go to hell with our eyes shut" Obama over Hillary..?
George Bush has really managed to turn things on their head. E.g. instead of making people think "good he's arrested terrorists from all over the world" the rest of the world sees him making a total ass of the law with this illegal combatants crap and see poor tortured Pakistani shepherds...
he reacted so unprofessionally and incompetently to those 9/11 attacks that he's seriously put America's name in a bad light
then again I don't really trust any politicians I just want to see Bill Clinton as America's first first gentleman (what on earth would he do with his time if you do get your first madam president?..??)
gledwood, yes, i believe dubya has squandered the good will of the world and i can't tell you how that saddens me. i didn't say i was a fan of obama. I just abhor hillary and the notion of dynastic politics that much. good lord, bill was chasing interns when he was supposed to be busy leading the country. i can't imagine the trouble he'd get into if he had no real job at the white house.
I just can't stomach Hillary!!
I am unaffiliated as well Lime. Each election I always look for a man that stands for the things I stand for. I was reading through your comments and James basically said it all for me. Ron Paul was the one I was looking at. I,like you, don't want another Clinton in office however, I certainly don't want Obama there either. In my opinion our options suck this year. In the end there is one thing I know, they all turn out to be liars.
Great post!
There are many similarities with the dems this year that hark back to 1960 and JFK -the issue with him at that time for so many people was the "religious" factor. So many people were in a panic over our president being controlled by the Pope. Ridiculous theory, I know, but it held sway for a lot of folks just as much as it did for many catholics who normally were republican to change over and vote dem. that year. Two things this country has missed the boat on for way to long could be rectified this year with either a woman president or a black president. I will not vote for either based on that premise though. I won't vote in November for McCain because of the war/defense practices he espouses. I've always been a registered dem and have pretty much decided that come the primary here in PA, I will cast my vote for Obama. Although I don't see all that much difference in what he and Mz Hilary propose. I've always admired Hilary in a way in that she is one very smart lady and I never took offense like many did for standing by Slick Willy during his little exposures to his various trysts. (We all often do things like that for a spousal relationship, regardless which side is the offender there, ya know. Besides, I always felt junk like that had no place in the political realm to begin with.) Huckabee tosses way too much religious stuff in for my tastes -more of the evangelistic lines just like the DUBYA does here and there. I might have gone with Hilary for a time but there is something I just can't put my finger on about her general attitude that pushes me away from her now. Nothing like using logic to determine one's choice huh as I revert back to "just a 'feeling.'
The first election in which I was able to vote was Nixon in '74...that ought to tell you something. I was so excited I even worked for the bastard at a local campaign office. Trust??? Right out the window. I think your daughter is the lucky one - she won't have to choose between speak, see and hear no evil.
There's a lot to be said for living in a democracy.
jillie, neither can i!
breazy, ron paul wasn't looking half bad to me.
jeni, thanks for your perspective. i appreciate you sharing the fears of the past and your thought process now.
david, THAT is for sure!
cooper, you sound every bit as disillusioned as i am
Last night at our precinct caucus I met several Republicans who were participating on the Obama side of the room. They flatly stated that they were there because they didn't want Clinton to win.
It was entertaining to see which side of the political fence your neighbors were really on. ;)
What it all boils down to is that it doesn't matter who the president is. They are just a puppet with Special Interest Groops pulling the strings.
And I thought I was disillusioned in 2000...
seamus, now that is interesting isn't it? quite the circus eh?
signgurl, you just hit the nail on the head! the only thing that makes this a little better than 4 years ago is that idjit dubya can't possibly serve another term.
I live in a bloody red state, which grieves my soul. Although I'll grant the Democratic party is flawed, this nontheist prays daily for an end to the Republican regime. Obama? Clinton? I don't care! Either. Both. Just get the rightwingers out.
I have refused to declare party. Then they made it so you did not have to declare. Now they made it so the parties could tell which ballot you requested. Grrr! I refused to vote. I thought there was nothing else on the ballot. I could not find anything or else I would had went and put up a fuss and insist that I be able to vote for the issues, not the candidates.
I like McCain because he is much closer to the center which is where I believe all candidates belong. However I do not agree with some of his things he will not let go of that follow the current admins policies. As to the Dems, absolutely no way do I want Billery in the White House. I will vote for almost anyone besides her. Obama I just don't know enough about him. I have heard things that say his voting record just does not back up what he is preaching now. I have also heard some pretty nasty stuff from others about him but it sounds like sour grapes to me so I have discounted them. I have been paying attention to him for some time and I really need to get in and do my research before this fall.
As far as I am concerned I think a vote for "None of the Above" is in order.
If Jeb Bush ever runs for president, I may have to find another country to live in....
~Tim, my friend from Kentucky said the same thing about Hillary.
You make a great case for not voting for Hilary! Maybe she is the better Clinton but it doesn't matter, she is the second one. I worry that there is some sort of power structure in DC that the average politician cannot break, in which case, the future of the United States is at risk.
I am for Obama because he has not been part of the politcal machine for a long time. I have no illusions that he is really different from other politicians . He merely represents something new and voting for him sends a message that we will not stand for status quo. Goodness, I hope he wins the nomination.
I wish there were a comparable person on the Republican side and perhaps a viable 3rd party candidate so that we could have a real CHOICE in the coming fall election.
tim: I haaaaate Jeb Bush. I wrote him a letter once saying I wouldn't visit Florida (like he cares). A while back there was a rash of negative stories about kids coming out of Florida. After I read about a lost child in the foster care system, I got fed up. I wrote Jeb that it was shameful to have so many negative stories coming out of a state where Disney World (Land?) sucks the money of so many tourists in the name of "family fun".
citizen, i want all of the old guard, be they red or blue, out. Out, OUT!
barman, we all need to pay attention to the issues that are important to use so we can be well informed when we vote.
tim, *shudders at the thought of jeb
m, i really haven't decided who i am for. obama seems vague on details but he ain't hillary at least. and i definitely wish there were a viable 3rd party candidate. nader? no....he's not it either. just a fly in the ointment he is. i remember those foster care horror stories too. appalling.
I'm inclined to agree with citizen of the world. Clinton really wasn't a bad Prez, he kept the economy rolling as it should, unlike our present Imperial Grand Poobah who merely seems to keep the roll.
Clinton certainly wasn't the first and I don't imagine will be the last Prez to have a tryst. Heck, he may not be the last. He did have a genuine concern for the people's well being. One can do a job well, and still make personal mistakes. Its the mistakes that cost us that we should be concerned about, like not doing anything about high petroleum prices, (reflection of daddy?), like domestic spying on citizens, like sitting around like a retard when told of The World Trade Center's having been targeted by terrorists, like becoming worse than those terrorists and killing more of our own citizens than they did in a war that wasn't necessary or justified.
I too, am ashamed to admit I live in the political backwater called Florida, home of the other Bush. I didn't vote in the Primary. Why you might ask? Because the other saw fit to mess with the timing of the Primaries, and then it was decreed (which doesn't make a whole lot of sense) that Florida's Dem. Delegates wouldn't count(by the Dem. party.) Plus, even after the hanging chads, and a change to electronic voting machines, there was tampering with the machines under Katherine Harris (the missing twin of Ann Coulter, the Original Rabid Republican (you know I'll bet if you poked her, she'd bleed red.))
Parts of your post had me laughing. I couldn't join a group because I was against a part of it. I only want to be with people I like, I guess I'm funny like that.
charles, understand i am not so naive as to think clinton was the first prez to screw around. just his justifications and the semantic gymnastics were so ridiculous. jest fess up already. and yes i think bush has trampled all sorts of rights in the wake of 9.11 in ways most of us can't even fathom. but i think clinton sat around with his thumb up his ass when the USS cole was attacked and the embassies in kenya and tanzania were bombed. i believe that emboldened the terrorists. i thought so at the time and i still think so. neither bush not clinton handled their respectives "attacks" well...just opposite ends of the spectrum in response....both excedingly poorr.
Actually, Clinton signed papers to have OBL assassinated, a move I think, that was much wiser than to put thousands of our troops in harms way. We may never know the extent of what he did behind the scenes. Congress was too busy asking him about things that really wasn't their business to ask him things about the matters that truly are their business. He made a bad decision on Monica Lewinski, Congress made a political hack job.
I have noticed that among all the major democracies dynasty rule has crept in from somewhere or the other. In India too it is the Gandhi family that rules the roost. In Pakistan it is the Bhutto family when it goes democratic..
I wonder whether at the subconscious level all people feel safe only under dynastic typecast rules. Is Hierarchy and the bourgeois the way we think about politics even while we are exercising our franchise??
Hillary doesn't sound too good that way...
I think both the Democratic and the Republican parties are full of shit and more concerned about grabbing and holding on to power as long as they can, not about serving the best interest of our nation or her people.
Well, you hit the nail on the head why I'm not a Republicrat or a Democan. Ron Paul was the only guy I liked for either party in years.
I too am thankful to live in a country where I can spout off how much I detest whomever is in there, although our current President doesn't like criticism. If you're not for him, you're against America. Sounds like something a dictator would say, no?
Good rant.
Darlin', as a Libertarian - even a card-carrying one, at one point - I would no more tell you you're "wrong" to vote for someone than I would try to tell you that your dinner is somehow "wrong". Personal choice is what this country is - and should be - all about.
Having said that, I'd rather you were voting FOR someone rather than AGAINST someone else.
Ah, well. Have fun!
They all scare me, really, really bad. I wish WE could pick who WE wanted to run~ I try to zero on the one who I think will hurt us the less then go from there. They all still scare me...
Take a bush bath HAHAHAHAHA
About eight years ago, I took an American history class (to earn enough credits to change columns on the teaching pay scale), and I FELL IN LOVE with much of what Johnson achieved. He did Civil Rights when Kennedy dragged his heels. Johnson changed the face and shape of America in many ways; unfortunately, his personal abrasiveness is what is best remembered.
And while Carter didn't know how to preside very well, he is a MAN for the ages. I am in huge love with that human being. My husband has a list of special instructions for how to treat me when Carter ever dies. He is phenomenal.
All that said, um, yea to the rest.
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