Election and politics
Dec. 2nd, 2007 09:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theatokosFor the first time ever I'm considering registering as a Democrat so I can vote in the February primary. While I've never voted nationally for anyone other than a Democrat (I've voted for others in smaller elections) I am on principle against the two party system. I ideologically wish to reserve the right to vote for whichever is best candidate regardless of party affiliation. Also, I think the Democratic National Party is as out of touch and industry run as the Republicans. I despise the partisan, divisive dialog in this country and think it alienates most average Americans - especially those in the "fly over states" (that phrase is constantly used by people here in the ultra-liberal Bay Area. I loathe it. It is condescending and rude).
However, I don't want Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate for president. There seems to be this aura of inevitability around her. I suspect that many liberal, progressive, independent, and/or Democrat voters will choose her only because they think she's already got the nomination in the bag. Plus, the Republican candidates are a disappointing, backward bunch. I long for the day when each party puts forth a candidate that makes me actually choose. Wouldn't it be amazing if most voters had two good choices?
Right now, I'm leaning toward John Edwards. I've liked him from the beginning, but he doesn't seem to stand a chance. But I heard him speak last night, on some NPR thing, and his discussion of energy policy, poverty, the economy and other issues really impressed me - again. I think he has the most sound policies out of all the Democrats. He's well-spoken. I like his voting record. I respect his honesty and consistency with his issues, even against gay marriage (I am completely for it, but he has repeatedly said he struggles with this issue, yet his voting record shows a great level of compassion - for example, as Senator, he voted yes to make violence against transexuals a hate crime).
I like Obama, more or less. He has similar experience to Edwards, he's a great speaker, but his policies are..... enh. I think a lot of people are fixated on him because he's charismatic, the first great black candidate for president, and because he stands a chance of beating Hillary. I think he'd be better than Hillary. I doubt very much that Hillary would be much of a change. She's a party Democrat, through and through, a life long politician, and basically part of a dynasty. The last thing I want is the White House to become entrenched in Bush-Clinton policies for another four years, and possibly eight.
I don't want flashy, I don't want big money, I don't want empty promises. I want some one smarter than me, with solid policies, ready to get on with the daunting tasks of running this country.
Anyway, I am going to register as a Democrat for the primaries and probably vote for John Edwards. And then switch back to undeclared.
However, I don't want Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate for president. There seems to be this aura of inevitability around her. I suspect that many liberal, progressive, independent, and/or Democrat voters will choose her only because they think she's already got the nomination in the bag. Plus, the Republican candidates are a disappointing, backward bunch. I long for the day when each party puts forth a candidate that makes me actually choose. Wouldn't it be amazing if most voters had two good choices?
Right now, I'm leaning toward John Edwards. I've liked him from the beginning, but he doesn't seem to stand a chance. But I heard him speak last night, on some NPR thing, and his discussion of energy policy, poverty, the economy and other issues really impressed me - again. I think he has the most sound policies out of all the Democrats. He's well-spoken. I like his voting record. I respect his honesty and consistency with his issues, even against gay marriage (I am completely for it, but he has repeatedly said he struggles with this issue, yet his voting record shows a great level of compassion - for example, as Senator, he voted yes to make violence against transexuals a hate crime).
I like Obama, more or less. He has similar experience to Edwards, he's a great speaker, but his policies are..... enh. I think a lot of people are fixated on him because he's charismatic, the first great black candidate for president, and because he stands a chance of beating Hillary. I think he'd be better than Hillary. I doubt very much that Hillary would be much of a change. She's a party Democrat, through and through, a life long politician, and basically part of a dynasty. The last thing I want is the White House to become entrenched in Bush-Clinton policies for another four years, and possibly eight.
I don't want flashy, I don't want big money, I don't want empty promises. I want some one smarter than me, with solid policies, ready to get on with the daunting tasks of running this country.
Anyway, I am going to register as a Democrat for the primaries and probably vote for John Edwards. And then switch back to undeclared.
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no subject
Date: 2007-12-02 08:18 pm (UTC)I honestly have so many other things on my mind right now that I haven't been paying a ton of attention to the democratic candidates. I honestly would settle for Clinton, Obama, or Edwards KWIM?
I just want a change.
Any insight as to why you do/dont like particular candidates would be nice. I was hoping for Obama myself but I just think there are still too many racist people in the country to vote for a black candidate.
Oh and, welcome to my friends list!
no subject
Date: 2007-12-02 08:48 pm (UTC)Obama and Edwards have a comparable public service record, neither has been particularly long in public office, both have practiced law. I think a legal background is excellent training for politics. Both are dynamic, eloquent public speakers. They tend to be liberal. However, Obama occasionally makes comments that sound naive and amateurish - for example, his statement in one of the debates (I forget which one) about sending troops to Pakistan to oust Taliban leaders. Oh man, that's a stupid idea.
However, I think he'd surround himself with smart people and I think he'd put a good face on the US when speaking with other leaders.
However, while Edwards, like Obama, has little to no foreign policy experience, I much prefer the policies he's laid out regarding energy, health care, and poverty. They are more developed and detailed than most of the other candidates. He sees a large picture in which each issue is not isolated but part of an interconnecting picture. His voting record has also been consistent (and I would add compassionate) over the 7 or so years he was in Congress. I think that's a good sign.
Will he win the Democratic nomination? Not likely, but I think I'm going to vote for him anyway. He's not as flashy as Obama, nor as well connected as Clinton. He's got as much experience as most of the candidates (Richardson, Biden, and McCain may be the exceptions). But Edwards is consistent, smart, passionate, and prepared.
Ima Dem
Date: 2007-12-02 10:01 pm (UTC)I will caucus for Kuchinich-a fantastic liberal-and hope for Obama or Edwards. Although I think Richards or Biden are better.
I think Hilary would be the meanest (which I like-imagine her having Ken Starr waterboarded) and horribly divide the country. I think the country's Rep hate HC so much...
Re: Ima Dem
Date: 2007-12-02 10:15 pm (UTC)I am tired of "lesser of two evils" choices. This is what happened with the last election. Sadly, Kerry was just spineless and bland. In the lesser of evils choices, it's usually the *most* evil one that seems to win.
I continue to hold out for good choices all around. Can we as a nation afford to have a lesser of two evils in the White House? I think the various domestic, economic and foreign messes we are in require a lot more than a Lesser Evil.
I'd love to see a more liberal third party form! I'd also love to see a more moderate Republican party form as well. The current one seems to be drifting too far to the right on many social issues, taking on a neo-conservative outlook, and losing sight of the pressing issues (I mean, homosexuals are not a bigger threat to families than lack of health care, stable jobs, and a filthy environment); that seems at odd with classic Republicanism.
Re: Ima Dem
Date: 2007-12-02 11:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-03 11:04 pm (UTC)Bush was not very Republican, he was way too moderate and just ended up pissing everyone off. Shame. Both parties are pretty much exactly the same. They both want to legislate your ethics for you in areas they should butt the hell out, they just have different areas they focus on.
May I pick your brain, please?
Date: 2007-12-03 11:41 pm (UTC)Secondly, I totally agree that both parties are trying to legislate morality - though I find the Republicans to be far more restrictive and legislative in their policies than the Democrats. However, while I think the Dems do a better job of being less legislative in their policies, their rhetoric is narrow and dismissive of a vast majority of people. Basically I think each party is trying to appeal to a small percentage of Americans. Republicans = Christian far right; Dems = ultra-liberal, uber-educated city dwellers [ahem, like me]. Both are actually small percentages of the US, they're just the groups screaming the loudest.
On a completely different note, as a pagan, how does the overwhelming conservative Christian religiosity of the Republican party sit with you? Do you find you have to work extra hard to get past that?
And finally, Ron Paul. Would you mind telling me what you like about him? (I mean that with most seriousness. I don't think I've ever met some one not rabidly Democratic in the Bay Area, though I hear they exist. The chance to hear dissenting opinion is few and far between.) I admire Paul's consistency a great deal. I like that he speaks his mind and doesn't flinch if he's not pandering to the majority. However, I think most of his policy is.... well, about as realistic as Kucinich's.
Re: May I pick your brain, please?
Date: 2007-12-05 11:12 pm (UTC)Dems vs Reps - legislating morality. Perhaps you don't notice as much with Dems because what they are doing isn't rubbing you the wrong way and is therefore less noticable to you? Like Smoking Bans in restaurants. Smoking is legal. A restaurant is private property, not too different from your own home. You do not have to go to a particular restaurant, no one is forcing you, and you don't NEED them to survive. But Dems have pushed through bills that make it illegal for a property owner to decide if they will allow people to smoke on their property.
There are tons of examples on both sides...tons! But overalll...Repubs don't notice the morality shit the Repub Party does and Dems don't notice what the Dem Party does.
2. The Christian Right - they aren't that many in number, they are just loud and reliable. So not much of a problem. It just sounds like more than it is from the outside.
3. Religion and Dems and Reps.
Generally speaking, those who are candidates in the Repub party voice that they believe in God and may actually show up in a church a time or two. Some only get a hard-on for Jesus and want everyone else to go away or shut up. Many Reps are more into being strict constitutionalists than they are into being radical Christians and will work hard to protect any and all religious rights.
Dems...some Dems are hostile or condesending toward religion, of any flavor. So don't expect them to do you any favors. Others think anything is OK and view it as a civil rights issues and will work hard to protect your rights.
Ron Paul - some of his ideas are wack-job...but he would only be the President. They really can't do much. Congress would not pass the more strange things...so there is little worry there. I have to run...but I'll post more later.
Re: May I pick your brain, please?
Date: 2007-12-06 12:38 am (UTC)#2 - Good to know. I have a very hard time with it, but that's because I'm still mostly Christian, but I hate seeing jack-asses of any religion mouth off and ruin it for all the well-meaning others out there.
#3 - Civil rights Dems = good. I am critical and saddened by the often condescending, snotty attitudes of many Dems who think they're better than every one else just because they DON'T go to church.
I AM steeped in the Dem perspective over here. Thanks for sharing your views! I really value them.