My Thoughts on Politics
OK, kids, I’m back. It’s been quite a while, but I hope to start doing these things more often now.
Today’s topic: what I think about politics, arranged as a list of random items.
1. Political Apathy
I am currently sitting next to a friend who tells me that she feels she is unable to make an informed decision regarding tomorrow’s election, so therefore she is voluntarily foregoing her civic right. I would like to know what information is required for the decision, other than the candidates’ policies, which are readily available on their respective websites. For example: I believe in universal health care, an aversion to wars, expansion of civil rights, and strict environmental protection. Therefore, I have already voted (via absentee ballot) for Barack Obama.
The general consensus is that those who don’t vote are not generally to be allowed to complain about the government they refused to help select. I don’t think we should be legally required to vote, but I think slightly more than 50% voter turnout is not a way to successfully run a democracy. In particular, despite the general political enthusiasm on college campuses (not including mine, incidentally), voter turnout is alarmingly low (anyone have any figures? google failed me). To remedy this problem, I have a proposal. Call it the Panico Amenment: if you vote on election day, you recieve a ticket good for one drink, to be billed to the federal government and used at the venue of your choice. This drink could serve to either celebrate a victory or console a loss. Plus, the nation’s bars recieve a surge of business on election day! It’s a win-win!
2. Relevant Information
I don’t care who Barack Obama has met or served on a school board with. He is his own person. I don’t care of Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. She holds her own views. I care what these people believe, and what they plan to do in office. That is all.
3. The Environment
It bugs me that neither of the major candidates have extensive environmental policies. I would like to see an expansion of the National Park system, and extremely strict regulations put into place so we don’t destroy our beautiful wilderness areas. Also, I would like to see us reach out to developing nations and help them to reduce their environmentally harmful practices, for the good of us all.
4. Religion
Obama’s response to accusations that he is a Muslim should have been: “No, I am not a Muslim, but there is nothing wrong with being one.“ John McCain got this one right. Story.
5. Nationalism
We are not unconditionally the best country in the world. We are bullies, and disliked by many other nations. National pride is not a bad thing, but let’s keep it reasonable. We should have to earn our sense of pride through good actions by our nation.
November 3, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I see that it always comes down to alcohol in the end, eh, Matt? Little incentive for me
. But who knew you were a blogger? Bravo
November 16, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I agree, on every point. Although, you might want to rethink the Panico Amendment, because people between the ages of 18 and 21 (such as yourself, I might add) can’t legally drink. I can’t imagine sneaking into a bar with a fake, plopping down a government-issued drink voucher, and telling the bar tender to pour me a cold one. Perhaps we need to lower the drinking age too? That can be part of the Panico amendment.
By the way, here is a statement from Colin Powell (on the day he endorsed Obama) that made me happy:
“Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian,” he said. “But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, ‘He’s a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists.’ This is not the way we should be doing it in America.” -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/19/colin-powell-endorses-oba_n_135895.html
Cheers.
Max