Filed under: Random
Well well… I finally (after a bit-o-waiting) have received my BALLOT TO VOTE!
I’m pretty much super excited?
I don’t really know if its just because I’m not getting the chance to walk into the booth, with all the streamers and posters, to cast my vote… But I feel like I’m missing something. This is my first … well my first ANYTHING to vote in so shouldn’t I be excited?
-I think I should-
So where is the excitement? I have searched facts and figures, looking at the candidates and their running mates to see whom I like better. And to be quite honest… Its a little lukewarm. It feels like the same re-hash of every other election I’ve seen. I do kinda like the new face of Palin… By that I mean just about one thing. Shes not an Old Guy preaching morals and ethics from upon high(just to personally show me via scandals or insider BS that is just more hypocritical promises that they can’t live up to) .
Just as an example, Here is a quote from a great website… factcheck.org
“Biden and Palin debated, and both mangled some facts.
* Palin mistakenly claimed that troop levels in Iraq had returned to “pre-surge” levels. Levels are gradually coming down but current plans would have levels higher than pre-surge numbers through early next year, at least.
* Palin repeated a false claim that Obama once voted in favor of higher taxes on “families” making as little as $42,000 a year. He did not. The budget bill in question called for an increase only on singles making that amount, but a family of four would not have been affected unless they made at least $90,000 a year.
* Biden wrongly claimed that McCain “voted the exact same way” as Obama on the budget bill that contained an increase on singles making as little as $42,000 a year. McCain voted against it. Biden was referring to an amendment that didn’t address taxes at that income level.
* Palin claimed McCain’s health care plan would be “budget neutral,” costing the government nothing. Independent budget experts estimate McCain’s plan would cost tens of billions each year, though details are too fuzzy to allow for exact estimates.
* Biden wrongly claimed that McCain had said “he wouldn’t even sit down” with the government of Spain. Actually, McCain didn’t reject a meeting, but simply refused to commit himself one way or the other during an interview.
* Palin wrongly claimed that “millions of small businesses” would see tax increases under Obama’s tax proposals. At most, several hundred thousand business owners would see increases.”
Maybe it’s my relative inexperience with the political process ?
(I want to say no because I have followed the elections pretty closely before, Thx for the chance at real discussions as a younger kid Mom & Dad)
No, I think its just my first time to closely pay attention to all the infighting and bickering between the candidates. Where are the presidential hopefuls that I can rally behind? Do you remember as a kid – drinking from the water hose in the yard? I feel like that is how the election coverage is being presented. You have a stream of information shooting out and all you get are licks here and there. If you ever try to get more than that the hose blows up in your face( and gets water everywhere).
Where can I turn for a single honest transcript?
Political Ads? HA! For once I am happy that I don’t get any real commercials here in Japan. Political Ads are nothing more than artillery pieces the candidates use to take pot shots at each other. A Jab here, a punch there… Just to turn around and “amplify” the opponents commercials as a slap to the face of the political process. Its a Pissing match to see who can influence the sheep of our country.
The news? CNN and FOX both spin in opposite directions, every reporter out there has an agenda for something… Hatred for someone, Search for Opportunity to Advance… something… I refuse to sit by and take a news reporter 100% on face value alone. But how do I know what their talking about for sure?
The Paper? Besides the fact I cant even get a really decent paper out here… See the news ^
The Internet? Now the Internet… as vile, bored, narcissistic, and excellent as it is… Is spotty at best. Occasionally you will find an island of truth in the big sea of things (READ: factcheck.org, issues2000.org). But point of fact… Our whiny, politically correct culture is nothing but a bunch of fanboys/girls. I can admit it, product branding drives our economy. Think of all the “Brand Name” items you pick up from the store on a regular basis. I personally can name quite a few:
I prefer Zunes to Ipods
Crest Toothpaste (although… I am easily swayed by product design)
Tide Deturgent
Downy Fabric Softner
Bose Audio Stuff
Microsoft In general
Texas Instruments (Calculator)
Wells Fargo
View Sonic Monitors
We make choices like these daily. The newest Smell of Cologne, my purse says coach and your doesn’t, My razor has EVEN MORE blades on it than yours, and etc. etc. etc. This attitude multiplied by the anonymity that the internet presents you with… means cliques upon cliques that travel in packs and flame whomever gets in their way. What happened to original thought? What happened to a personal voice that you made based on INFORMED decisions and SINCERE decision. I may not be the most decisive at times… but expletive Ill give some thought to my answer. I haven’t had the time but If you have ever heard Henry Rollins here is some food for thought:
““I believe that today more than ever a book should be sought after even if it has only one great page in it. We must search for fragments, splinters, toenails, anything that has ore in it, anything that is capable of resuscitating the body and the soul.””
““There are so many hammocks to catch you if you fall, so many laws to keep you from experience. All these cities I have been in the last few weeks make me fully understand the cozy, stifling state in which most people pass through life. I don’t want to pass through life like a smooth plane ride. All you do is get to breathe and copulate and finally die. I don’t want to go with the smooth skin and the calm brow. I hope I end up a blithering idiot cursing the sun – hallucinating, screaming, giving obscene and inane lectures on street corners and public parks. People will walk by and say, “Look at that drooling idiot. What a basket case.” I will turn and say to them “It is you who are the basket case. For every moment you hated your job, cursed your wife and sold yourself to a dream that you didn’t even conceive. For the times your soul screamed yes and you said no. For all of that. For your self-torture, I see the glowing eyes of the sun! The air talks to me! I am at all times!” And maybe, the passers by will drop a coin into my cup.””
“Go without a coat when it’s cold; find out what cold is. Go hungry; keep your existence lean. Wear away the fat, get down to the lean tissue and see what it’s all about. The only time you define your character is when you go without. In times of hardship, you find out what you’re made of and what you’re capable of. If you’re never tested, you’ll never define you character.”
I don’t get the chance to read nearly as much as I would like, but that can’t keep me from the pursuit of knowledge. I pray for life to let me continue learning until the day I pass way, let me keep on thirsting for creativity, thirsting for love, and to just let me understand even a percentage of what it means to live.
………………………………………………………Where is Truth?
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The truth, my son, lies in your heart and your faith in God.
Comment by Mom October 8, 2008 @ 8:09 pmAs far as voting, I can only hope that we have influenced you in the “right” way to go. lol
Comment by Mom October 10, 2008 @ 6:17 pm