I have been, for at least the 5 years that I’ve been able to think critically about the political process and especially for the last 2 years that I’ve been able to think from both sides of the spectrum, devoted to the idea that a vote is a vote. Who you vote for doesn’t matter as long as you are voting. It is the 2nd most important thing one can do for their country (serving in the armed forces being the first) and sadly enough most people simply don’t do it.
Thank God.
In the last few months I’ve started to realize where the error in my thinking was; I always thought that there were no wrongs and rights, simply lefts and rights. For this year, I am completely mistaken.
I thought (and still believe for the most part) that the Dems and Repubs are extremely similar and that, barring radical decisions, things don’t change much whether the country is in democratic or republican control. I know that’s a rather broad way to describe things, but at my most cynical that’s how I see the political process.
This year, well this year things are different. McCain will, and I have to repeat this because it needs to sink in for full effect, McCain will mimic the 8 years of George W. Bush that we’ve already endured. He used to be a very independent thinker, (his “maverick” title is not completely a media creation, he did in fact use to be a, um, maverick) but that has faced a sea change in which he has become another Neo-Con gunner. There was a time, up until maybe 3 years ago, that I said if John McCain ran for president I would most definitely consider voting for a republican. Changed my mind, sorry Johnny.
A vote for McCain is wrong, a vote for Obama is right. I’m not sure how much more blunt I can be in this vein. Take the VPs out of the race, take the religious ballyhoo out of the stumping in states like Arkansas and Virginia, and eliminate the color and you have two men who could not be more different in their views.
In my limited experience with people, I’ve noticed a trend. Articulation and intelligence (real intelligence, not academic stature) have a seemingly direct relationship with a blue vote. Unless people fall into the categories I’ve listed below, most of the people I know who are voting for McCain are, and it is tough to say this, not thoughtful. This is not to say that I don’t know some very stupid democrats, because I do. They know, and can think critically about, as little as their conservative counterparts, and that is just the way of the world. However, from a proportional standpoint, the number of blank stares I’ve given republican friends greatly outnumbers those of the liberal ones.
There are a couple exceptions for which a McCain vote are “justified” although they are not exactly what I’d call “noble”.
1. If you are a business person or have another occupation in which you gain more than $500,000 a year but less than $1,500,000 a year, then you are allowed to vote for John. Citizens who are in this sort of income bracket make enough money to be pissed about being taxed at a high rate but don’t make enough to be happy with what they have. Philanthropy starts when people have more than a few millions dollars in their bank accounts, until then they are the most conservatives of conservatives.
2. If you are a religious nut then you are allowed to vote for McCain. Or, well, I guess you’re allowed to vote for Palin because I don’t think McCain knows much about religion. After getting poked by sticks in Hanoi for 6 years, you can’t think God likes you very much anymore.
3. If you are a personal friend of either of the Republican candidates then you’re allowed to vote that way. Because if you don’t and he finds out, he probably won’t invite you to his next birthday party.
So unless one of you fall into this category, if you’re thinking about voting for McCain, please just stay home in November. I’ll make you some guacamole, order you a pizza, maybe even draw you a picture.
Homework: Think about your own friends, do you think you hang out with people who think too much like you? Does it piss you off or get you off when some one finally disagrees with what you think about the world? If you’re a republican, do you hear more stupid arguments for your own party or for democrats? Same thing goes to the Donkeys. The answer might not be as obvious as you think.
1 response so far ↓
Chars // September 28, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Teddy, good stuff. Your best entry so far in my opinion. I’ll make a few remarks and then do my hw.
I think you’re right that in general voters are deceived into thinking there are stark differences between the candidates of the major parties when in reality there isn’t. But the last few elections show us where that kind of cynical thinking has led to. I mean I couldn’t have told you at the time what would have made Gore a better president than W (besides his IQ score not being borderline retarded), but looking back on the choice between an oil-man and deregulator who ran one of the goddam worst teams in baseball vs. the right-hand man to some of the greatest years of prosperity in history and the one who finally legitimized global warming and climate change, you can only imagine what a completely different situation we would be in right now.
Again with Kerry and Bush, all those undecided voters really thought they were just picking between a douche bag and a turd sandwich.
So seriously people, understand the real differences in play here and how this election shapes the future of the nation for generations to come. Bush has done nothing but bleed this country in every possible way, and you know McCain will do the same because those two fools are in agreement about every meaningful issue on the table. Vote Obama=save the nation. In the words of Pontius Palin, defeat means death, baby, defeat means death.
I wanted to say something about why Repub voters seem to fall into that weird dichotomy of the semi-wealthy and educated and the poor and ignorant, but this is your page and I won’t cram it up. Besides I think you inspired me to actually start writing on my blog again.