America Split Down the Middle
Posted by Stuart at 10:08 AM on October 29, 2004The American Presidential election is upon us. Who will win? I have no idea, but I do think it's a bit of a shame that public opinion is divided down the middle, creating two Americas. You would think that we would be able to agree a little more.
In any case, in a few days we will know the outcome of the election. I don't talk much about politics on this site, but I just have to say that my vote is for Kerry for sure. He's not the most exciting guy, but to me, the person who is the President is only part of the picture. The people who the President surrounds himself with are also very important. And frankly, I despise most of Bush's advisors (Rumsfield, Ashcroft, Cheney, etc). Colin Powell and Condolleza Rice are the only ones I had respect for, but it seems to me that those two were shouted down by three mentioned above and now really have no say in what happens. Their credibility was damaged by having to go along with the Bush line.
Also, I think that Kerry is very a very intelligent man. (The same can be said for Gore, and the fact that he is a detail-oriented intellectual probably cost him the election.) I think that Kerry is a consolidator, not a divider. Being outside of the US I can see that most people in the world think that the US government has made a lot of mistakes over the last four years. When we went to Iraq and "took care of business" all by ourselves it gave us a very bad name. We still haven't been able to clean up the mess we made -- both on the ground in Iraq and in our relationships with other countries. I think that the world is getting smaller and smaller every day, and therefore cooperation is much more important than the US going on the offensive all the time, all alone.
Having written this now, I read back over it and can see that I am certainly no great political pundit. I'm just a regular guy who happens to be living overseas and who thinks it's time for a change in my home country.
I'm not too keen on either, but I have made my decision. Each side has commending and condeming points of views on their policies and of their opponents -- each are justified in their arguments. Both have stretched the truth, not told the whole truth, have waivered, have waffled, have not made (in my opinion) accurate assessments proper judgements, nor have either, in their own way, worked for/voted on or for, what is "best for the American people."
Then again, what is best for the American people? No one can say that any one concept, idea, platform, will benefit every single American .... that's impossible!!!
I am tired of my country being the world's police; however, once you've gotten yourself in a mess, you can't say "I quit" and pull out leaving the mess that has been created unresolved.
The thing that will hurt Bush the most (in my opinion) is that the majoirty of Americans, just don't know .... we just don't know what is going on, because we haven't been told, or else the media has skewed and stiffled facts making it biased - we have to assume and make our own judgements as to how things have been handled. (what? the media does that? on both spectrums of the politcal stances. hahaha!!). Is there such a thing as being too conservative? Absolutely! Is there anything wrong with using money and influence to throw power around? Yes! Are positive actions taking place? Yes! Are enough positive actions taking place? No. The American people should not know all of everything (National Security), but I would like a few more answers.
The thing that will hurt Kerry is the most (in my opinion), is will he actually be able to follow through on what he claims to accomplish as President? I believe that he doesn't realize that change can not take place over night. I believe that the middle class, the women, the African-Americans, the Hispanics .... any minority in this country are growing weary of the Democratic politics of "you poor and lowly soul ... those nasty Republicans did this to you ... now, we'll take care of you." Why? The minorities are gaining more influential roles, socially and economically. Women have taken on more active role in politics, business, and finance. I believe his goals are too lofty and unrealistic.
Also --- this election has been extremely interesting because the views of the candidates are polar opposite. They don't see eye to eye on a gosh darn thing .... except to get things straight in Iraq and get the heck out of there. Yes ... BOTH candidates are tauting that in their campaigns. The MO is different.
One aspect of my country I do love, is our freedom of speech, protest, and our right to vote on who we feel is the best qualified, the best equipped to be the best leader, the best manager of domestic and foreign affairs, etc., etc. We have that ability, that freedom. Who we vote for is our individual decision ... now that is awesome!!!
So you did get a ballot? That's good. I wish I could vote this year.
Being in Iceland for the past 13 months, I have had a chance to see the "European" view of the USA. They certainly do not have a good impression of Bush. I completely agree with what you have stated. I was back in Florida last week and it was hard to watch the political ads on TV - they were all so negative (really on BOTH sides).
I am amazed that more Americans do not see Bush for who he is - someone who claims to work for all, but who actually is only interested in one side or point of view. Hopefully enough will vote for Kerry so we can stop and clean up some of the messes that Bush has created.