Dealing with fears...
I've only voted once in a major election and that was in the year I turned 21. Back then I was very naive and optimistic. I won't elaborate about this statement, though I am tempted to say more. I will share that I voted for two winners that year -- a Republican president and a Democratic governor...both failures in my mind in hindsight (I came to know the latter personally a few years after his election). I've never voted again. I've learned that a politician is a politician is a politician. Weeks into our new presidency, I'm still convinced this is true.
I suppose the decision to stop voting made me feel immune to criticism for helping to elect someone who does not fulfill their promises. I rarely talk about politics, I bury my head, and I just ignore as much as I can. This does not mean I don't pay attention, nor that I'm unconcerned with what's happening. I care deeply. I admit to a feeling of inadequacy when it comes to politics and sharing a dialogue about it. I'm embarrassed that I don't know enough to sound as intelligent as those around me who freely speak their minds on these matters. Actually, I'm envious of those people. I wish I knew enough to join in and share my thoughts without feeling so exposed.
I'm thinking about the matter now because the one candidate I would have voted for this past election is making news today -- Republican Congressman Ron Paul. When the candidates were on the campaign trail, this man appeared to have a solid constitution and displayed wisdom based on experience. He maintained a quiet demeanor while carefully choosing words of knowledge to share about what was going on in the world at large (and in the political realm). I felt that if he were elected we would have a seasoned leader on our side.
One of my primary concerns throughout the campaign was in regard to how to end the war. Ron Paul's ideas and input seemed realistic. I felt he knew what was going on overseas, as well as at home, and why, and that given the opportunity he would know how to meticulously lead us to a better place. He talked a good talk whenever he was 'allowed' enough time to do so.
As with most elections, the 'best' man (imho) didn't make it very far in the campaign...most never do. They aren't flashy enough, not sexy enough, not 'savvy' enough (or perhaps I should say shrewd/crafty/manipulative enough) to make it to the polls on election day. What a pity. I'm embarrassed that we elect (and continue to listen to) 'men' like Bill Clinton among others who become and remain high profile.
Perhaps I'm coming full circle today. I'm at least pondering what I could have done to help elect a better man, or at least to help carry someone worthwhile to the polls for consideration. I'm frightened, like so many Americans, of where this President is taking us and where it all will end.
Ron Paul posed a good question this morning when he asked why more money would be given to folks who've already proven they do not know how to handle money responsibly. He respectfully and rightly pointed to the failure of the administration to take 'time' to carefully analyze these issues before making a decision about what to do. This is where experience would benefit us as a nation. If one is not equipped to make these decisions (and yet takes the lead making them despite the protests from the Congress and others), he should at least take the appropriate time to assess the situation before responding with a knee-jerk reaction just to placate those who are sitting on the edge of their seats cheering him on with the false belief that he is somehow going to save us all. Don't get me wrong, I think our President is an intelligent/articulate man (which does not necessarily qualify him for anything), but I've always felt his lack of experience would be his/our downfall.
The time may have been right for unity on some level...of race and party...and I'm proud of us for hoping to bring this about. But I feel it could have been accomplished in other ways, so maybe this was NOT the time to be concerned about that kind of unity. I will admit to getting caught up myself in the frenzy and that line of thinking. Change -- the fulfillment of dreams in a lifetime. Perhaps it was just that...a dream that may not have found its proper time?!
I suppose the decision to stop voting made me feel immune to criticism for helping to elect someone who does not fulfill their promises. I rarely talk about politics, I bury my head, and I just ignore as much as I can. This does not mean I don't pay attention, nor that I'm unconcerned with what's happening. I care deeply. I admit to a feeling of inadequacy when it comes to politics and sharing a dialogue about it. I'm embarrassed that I don't know enough to sound as intelligent as those around me who freely speak their minds on these matters. Actually, I'm envious of those people. I wish I knew enough to join in and share my thoughts without feeling so exposed.
I'm thinking about the matter now because the one candidate I would have voted for this past election is making news today -- Republican Congressman Ron Paul. When the candidates were on the campaign trail, this man appeared to have a solid constitution and displayed wisdom based on experience. He maintained a quiet demeanor while carefully choosing words of knowledge to share about what was going on in the world at large (and in the political realm). I felt that if he were elected we would have a seasoned leader on our side.
One of my primary concerns throughout the campaign was in regard to how to end the war. Ron Paul's ideas and input seemed realistic. I felt he knew what was going on overseas, as well as at home, and why, and that given the opportunity he would know how to meticulously lead us to a better place. He talked a good talk whenever he was 'allowed' enough time to do so.
As with most elections, the 'best' man (imho) didn't make it very far in the campaign...most never do. They aren't flashy enough, not sexy enough, not 'savvy' enough (or perhaps I should say shrewd/crafty/manipulative enough) to make it to the polls on election day. What a pity. I'm embarrassed that we elect (and continue to listen to) 'men' like Bill Clinton among others who become and remain high profile.
Perhaps I'm coming full circle today. I'm at least pondering what I could have done to help elect a better man, or at least to help carry someone worthwhile to the polls for consideration. I'm frightened, like so many Americans, of where this President is taking us and where it all will end.
Ron Paul posed a good question this morning when he asked why more money would be given to folks who've already proven they do not know how to handle money responsibly. He respectfully and rightly pointed to the failure of the administration to take 'time' to carefully analyze these issues before making a decision about what to do. This is where experience would benefit us as a nation. If one is not equipped to make these decisions (and yet takes the lead making them despite the protests from the Congress and others), he should at least take the appropriate time to assess the situation before responding with a knee-jerk reaction just to placate those who are sitting on the edge of their seats cheering him on with the false belief that he is somehow going to save us all. Don't get me wrong, I think our President is an intelligent/articulate man (which does not necessarily qualify him for anything), but I've always felt his lack of experience would be his/our downfall.
The time may have been right for unity on some level...of race and party...and I'm proud of us for hoping to bring this about. But I feel it could have been accomplished in other ways, so maybe this was NOT the time to be concerned about that kind of unity. I will admit to getting caught up myself in the frenzy and that line of thinking. Change -- the fulfillment of dreams in a lifetime. Perhaps it was just that...a dream that may not have found its proper time?!
posted by Di at 7:43 AM
1 Comments:
"...and I'm proud of us for hoping to bring this about."
Everyone bought the "hope" Di.
(Well, about 53% did.)
Now unfortunately, we'll have to deal with the "change".
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