Encouraged Politically

Posted September 5, 2008

I am not one to get too involved with Politics. As a registered Independent and Unaffiliated Voter, I have been frustrated with national politics for way too long. It has seemed that both parties have been all talk and totally consumed with looking out for their own party and own agenda.

When the Republicans took the House and Senate back several years ago, they promised sweeping changes. As Americans we voted them in because of that, only to be let down. Democrats are no better, opposing anything that wasn’t proposed by a Democrat regardless of how good an idea it might have been. So here we are many years later with a greater void in the middle with very few Republicans and Democrats willing to work together.

I have been watching the race this year because I too feel this year is especially important. Here are my thoughts so far:

• Obama is a great talker and gifted motivator. But this bothers me. Maybe its because of my time in sales, having been to quite a few seminars with motivational speakers that get you fired up. Normally, they play on your emotions, but give you very little to actually work on after they leave. Will Obama be that way? Does he talk a motivating talk with great energy, only to have little substance?
• McCain is an old politicain and one that tends to follow his own route. But my fear here is that he could alienate his own party and eventually become a lame duck if not careful. But my gut tells me that his intentions are sincere and that he has a true sense of loyalty to America. I don’t get the sense that he is running just to get the office. I think he is looking to serve.
• Biden simply bores me. I have no idea what this guy is about. So far he has been busy criticizing the Bush Administration, and while Bush has issues that will never be addressed properly, Obama and Biden are not running against Bush. And no political campaign will make me believe that.
• Palin surprised me. First of all, I had no idea who she was. And then I hear there are investigations surrounding her. But I figure the McCain camp has done their homework to ensure that what she has is worth the risk. What I didn’t expect was that she brought as much of the energy to the table that Obama has. She speaks of the same changes that Obama does. Yet, with her I get the sense that those changes are not going to result in handouts, but rather in opportunities for those willing to step out to give it a try.

This issues I see in this election are these:

• The Economy. We are in an economy that feels like a recession and there appears to be little light at the end of the tunnel. Finding a positive way to get that rolling again will be important. I do not think taxing the people or even businesses right now is prudent as we all need more money to work with, not less. So here I gotta think the Republicans have the advantage.
• Energy. I am so tired of hearing that we can’t drill our way out of this energy crisis. While I agree that we do need to move away from oil towards cleaner and better fuels and energy, we are not in any situation to just dump oil today or in the near future. I drive a car that requires gas. I don’t expect that over the next couple years I will be ready to buy the newest technology in cars that is without gas. So how do we dump this? Do the Democrats really expect that we can ignore today and only focus on tomorrow. Tomorrow only comes by getting through today… so we do need to drill AND pursue other resources.
• Iraq and the War on Terrorism. This is a frustration of mine. We dropped the ball in Afganistan to pursue Iraq. Should we be there? I don’t know for sure. What Sadam did to his people should have been addressed, but maybe timing was wrong. Either way, we are there now and must finish what has been started. To simply pull out now would create a disaster. If we pull out before Iraq is truely ready to take their own security measures, other countries such as Iran will come in. The we are screwed as we are way too dependent on the oil over there. (Side note. If Democrats want to pull out, why are they against drilling for oil here? Don’t they see the crucial handicap this would create for America?) In terms of the war, we need to finish Iraq strongly and then focus back on the War on Terror. In my humble opinion, we should do another surge to pretty much eliminate the threats in Iraq, quickly train them and then get out. That would be quick and decisive.
• Gay Marriage. As a Christian man, my beliefs do not support the marriage of homosexuals. That being said, I heard an interesting arguement that I can not shake. Marriage is a contract between two consenting adults. Sure, as a Christian I believe that marriage itself is ordained by God. But the legal aspect of the contract does make me wonder if we can regualte the sexes of those parties to the contract. Either way, I do feel that providing health care benefits should be extended to same sex parties if they are willing to pay the premiums. I feel that family rights should extend beyond the sexual nature of a partnership when both parties involved desire it. Whether you call it a “marriage” or not doesn’t really matter. But I am not for discriminating based on sexual preferences.
• Politics. Both parties are building their campaigns on change. And I sure as hell hope that politics finds some sort of change. I am tired of the politicians that seek power for themselves and thier own financial gain. In my opinion, politicians work for ME. So why do I feel like they are my boss? Something here is not right and it needs to get fixed. Let’s hope that no matter which party takes the Oval Office that we actually see politcial reform and an administration that is focused on working together to fix real issues that our country has to deal with. Otherwise, America is doomed to fall as its leaders seem to spend so much time in front of that vanity mirrior called TV.

With what I have seen so far and heard so far, I am encouraged that we might have a positive outcome in this election. While I am leaning in one direction right now, I am still listening. Neither side has directly addressed HOW they plan to do ANYTHING. But as for me, I tend to beleieve that Americans should be given every opportunity to make what they want out of life without the government telling them they can or can’t. I am also against handouts that only make people dependent on government. For those that are in that situation, its like being dependent on that foreign oil with no ability to drill for yourself and only dreams of some new technology in the distant future that will rescue you. I don’t wish that on any American.

How do you feel about this year’s politics? Tell me…

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