I am trying so hard not to broach the politics of today, but since I am no longer in New York City, I am constantly bombarded by such a narrow scope of what this election is about.
I completely understand why conservatives want a
Republican, any republican - because of taxes. I am not rich, but I don't like taxes. I dislike them as much as anyone else. Perhaps more, because I don't have disposable income. I also respect the rich. It is one of the greatest virtues of this country that we are able to amass wealth and use it for our children and their welfare.
But - I must say - this is the reason these people need to 'exit stage left' - (pun intended). There are so many issues that have chained this country to the whipping post in the last eight years, that higher taxes are inevitable, whether a Democrat or a Republican is elected - the amount of money we spend on the war each day combined with this new banker bailout is a writ for our children's taxes as well.
If one votes this election simply because of taxes, you lose either way. If you vote on 'hot button, non-constitutional issues' that are infused in the political debate such as 'gay marriage' and 'abortion' than you will surely vote republican, but ... hear me out... you aren't voting on the issues. Those issues are not what tries our troubled nation. This is the greatest country on earth. It always will be, and the reason why is because there is still credence given to 'reason' and 'intellect.'
I travelled Europe in 2004, just before Bush was reelected. Specifically, I was in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, England, and Switzerland. I have news for you, for those who have not done it. They (the Europeans - yes the very people who started the Enlightenment), think we suck. Sorry to be so blunt. They think (and that was 4 years ago), that we are absolutely ignorant, war mongering, holier-than-thou fools. What's more, is that they are smart.
My biggest fear is not that
McCain will get elected. No big deal, whomever gets elected is in quite a difficult situation... what I fear is what I heard today from someone who already voted (and I admire that they voted by the way).
I asked who they voted for, they said
McCain - and I asked why. The answer was: "I don't believe in welfare"
What?! It is this ignorance that perpetuates war machines, greed, and inhumanity. I don't believe in sitting around waiting for handouts either, but I have never gotten them anyway, so I might as well believe in the tooth fairy... but to not believe that the surviving Veterans (and there are more to come) - not just from the past wars, deserve to be treated, cared for and mended by our tax dollars through social welfare programs, than you ought to read a book. Just one is all I ask. I don't care if it's a
Dr. Seuss book. Just read one...
The main reason that the 'I don't believe in welfare' quip bothered me so much is not so much because I 'believe' in welfare - (I do in certain situations), is that the comment is rooted in ignorance of what our system has produced... (i.e. education, fear mongering, hate, etc). It is sad to think that our children don't read books anymore.
What's sadder is that people don't 'really' vote on the 'issues that matter,' ... people vote on things that are temporal, fleeting, and matter only in the most superficial realm... I don't want to live in a socialist country either, but what is wrong with a 'brotherhood of man?'
I may be wrong but some of the greatest and most spiritually inclined voices 'spoke' of this very notion.
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