Alright...
Part 2 of the resurrected blog. The political agenda.
I'd like to start by stating that I'm not an activist, nor do I consider myself to be a liberal or conservative, democrat/ republican, monkey/ zebra. I'm simply someone who is fed up with the two-party system in America, and the 'pathetic' choices it offers us. Obviously, I don't support Obama or McCain, and I didn't much care for Clinton, either. However, I don't believe ex-Governor/ wrestler/ mime Jesse Ventura's assertion that we should add 'none of the above' to the ballot. That's wasteful and proves nothing. If anyone (born in this country, and old enough) can be president, surely someone must be worthy?
And that's where I'm headed with this...
Just because we held primaries and caucuses; just because both candidates secured their nominations; just because all delgates are pledged; does NOT mean this election could be, or SHOULD be, a two-person race! We're less than 4 months from election day... Republican McCain has SAID nothing about the pathetic mess called the economy, or what he plans to do to get us out of the muck and mire. He's simply another 'war president'... great, just what we need. Both candidates have narrowed the essence of their 'platforms' down to a single 'buzzword'... McCain's is "Victory". As in- if elected, his 'victory' will lead to 'victory' in Iraq, which in turn means 'victory' throughout the Middle East and the rest of the world, resulting in untold prosperity (think V-E/ V-J day) for every man, woman, and child in America. Or something like that. Until then, nothing need be said, or done, about the economy here at home... 'Victory' will take care of us.
And who do we have as our alternative. Democrat Obama. The man with the plan (?) Everyone knows his buzzword. "Change". All the while going up against Clinton, he was the candidate of 'change'. She was 'Bill's wife'; Ms. Corporate Interests; politics-as-usual. He was 'change'. Although, with his recent reversals on important issues, a more apt buzzword might be - "CHANGED". Sure, he's just going to the center, where the voters are. Typical. Politics-as-usual.
Sadly, we're indoctrinated to believe that these are our only choices. It's a two-party system, right? Our last great hope to end this charade was Mr. Ross Perot back in '92... a businessman entering politics before it became fashionable. Now, any Tom, Dick or Harry with $20 million-plus in the bank wants to be your governor... your congressman... your mayor. Some ridiculed Perot for his 30-minute TV ads (remember those?)... Ross with his charts and graphs, trying to educate America on the evils of NAFTA before it got signed.
But enough about Mr. Perot. His time has passed; we had our chance. But that chance has come around again, fresh and with a new face. I'm speaking of Dr. Ron Paul, a Republican from Texas. Yes, I realize he's dropped out of the race, as has everyone but the two 'centrists' we have left. I don't believe that has to be an obstacle, though. The race to the White House is not over. Hell, the race to the CONVENTION isn't even over! Both candidates are only the PRESUMED NOMINEES of their respective parties... nothing's written in stone! There's still TIME!
Mr. Paul's website explains his credentials, as well as his views on various major topics, in much greater detail and eloquence than I could muster here, so I'll simply provide the link to his site: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/ ...you can check him out there. (I find myself agreeable to about 80-85% of his views... best part is, he's no front-runner, so there's no need for him to flip-flop and go where the votes are.... didn't John Kerry get into trouble for doing that? I guess things are different now.)
Anyway, if you've made it this far, I thank you for reading and, most of all, for keeping an open mind. I would be more than willing to converse with anyone, on this or any other subject, through the trusty comments section of this blog. Ultimately, I feel (as many others do) that this country- not Iraq, or any other country; that THIS country- is off course, and has been for many years. Our dear President Bush makes it clear that if you do not favor sinking barrels of money, not to mention the endless and inexhaustable supply of servicemen and women, into the false promise of 'victory' in Iraq, that you are an 'isolationist'. For shame. Not mine, though. I'd rather worry about how Bernanke and the Federal Reserve wants more control over Wall Street, so they can get us out of this mortgage crisis we seem to have gotten ourselves into. Seems like a good plan. The Federal Reserve has done such a wonderful job at trying to completely devalue the dollar, why not put a little more on their plate!
Somewhere, we need new ideas. Substantial ideas. Not just 'victory'. Not just 'change'. It's not enough.
All I ask of anyone reading this is to consider an alternative. Could your mind be swayed, by reading this, to check out Dr. Paul's site? Could his site sway you to support him? If you support him, could you set up a site, or webpage, or blog, to incite others like yourself? Pure grassroots.
Sure, I'm probably naive. Maybe it IS too late. I hope not. I think there's still time. I HOPE there's still time.
End America's two-party system today!
Thank you for reading, and thinking.
Bob H.