I will be the first to admit that I am a political junkie. I have a really interesting Con Law class to thank for that...and the 18 subsequent hours of Constitutional therory, etc.
Having admitted that, though, I must admit that the current political season leaves me feeling like I don't even want to vote.
Republicans are evil and scandal-ridden! Look at their e-mails!
Democrats are evil and scandal-ridden! Check their freezer!
Oy. One side says something about the other side, and we get grown men and women saying, "I know you are, but what am I?" There's more spin, but it's the same idea. People on one side are saying it will be a bloodbath and that Republicans need to be very afraid. People on the other side are saying that it'll be close but Republicans will keep the majority. When the parties look so much alike, who cares?
Two things today. Random comments on some races, then a couple of soapbox rants.
Locally, we're sitting here in Oklahoma with a Congressman who gave up a safe seat and a senior position on an important committee to make a run against an incumbent governor with a 70% approval rating. He blew all his money making it out of the primary, and so he's broke. I think he's run maybe one television spot so far, and that aired LAST WEEK. Not exactly an agressive campaign strategy. Yes, there are a couple more weeks. It's probably helpful if you've found an issue by this point, though.
There's an open seat in Congress because of the aforementioned race, and so that was a bit of a crazy run through the primaries. There were about a bajillion people running. Mary Fallin is more than likely going to win. The Democratic opponent is a doctor- he's very articulate and has some interesting (if possibly unfundable) ideas about healthcare. What he didn't have going in is a lot of name recognition.
Um. We're electing a new lieutenant governor because the old one quit to get a seat in Congress. Both candidates seem pretty much underwhelming.
And here, for the possibly two of you reading (like you don't know them already) are my top five pet peeves about American politics right now:
1. There's this thing called the Constitution. It's kind of important. And you should have read it at least once. Sidebar: "the pursuit of happiness" is NOT in the Constitution. Just so you know.
2. Re: the war in Iraq. You can't remake a government in 30 minutes or less. Planning is a good thing, giving out a departure date is a bad thing. Letting the Iraqi government come up with goals and deadlines for themselves to accomplish those goals is a good thing. Supporting them until they can support themselves is also a good thing. Are people dying? Yes. Does that suck? Yes. But our soldiers are volunteers and they are doing something fantastic by protecting us and these other people. This isn't a made-for-TV drama that wraps up in an hour, minus commercials.
3. If I hear one more Senator or Congressman say "And I strongly support having investigational hearings on that"....oy. They have to keep having these hearings, you see, because the other side is doing things that are so very bad! Congress is hardly in session in an election year as it is, maybe they could spend some time on things like tax reform, or immigration legislation, or cow emission studies. Seriously. Haven't they got something slightly more important to worry about?
4. So, I'm a Republican, but have come to accept social support legislation. (Don't ask whether it could use some reform or not- different thing altogether). There's yet another area that I didn't think about until my impending due date started to loom larger...Random factoid: 163 countries in the world have paid maternity leave. The United States is not one of them. It's ok- neither are Swaziland or Lesotho. So we're not alone. Just close to it. Instead, what do we do? FMLA- 12 weeks of UNPAID leave. How many people can afford three months without pay? So I may well be looking for daycare for Noah when he's six weeks old. Legislate on THAT, and cut somebody's afternoon hearing, would you please?
5. Why should I vote for you, besides the fact that you have an elephant or a donkey by your name on the ballot? Sorry, I can think and would like to know something besides your party affilitation. A trunk doesn't get you my vote, and the big pointy ears don't necessarily lose it for you. Make a case, please. We're smart enough to understand one. (And "I'm not that other guy" doesn't count.)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's about all the rant I've got in me for the day.
Having admitted that, though, I must admit that the current political season leaves me feeling like I don't even want to vote.
Republicans are evil and scandal-ridden! Look at their e-mails!
Democrats are evil and scandal-ridden! Check their freezer!
Oy. One side says something about the other side, and we get grown men and women saying, "I know you are, but what am I?" There's more spin, but it's the same idea. People on one side are saying it will be a bloodbath and that Republicans need to be very afraid. People on the other side are saying that it'll be close but Republicans will keep the majority. When the parties look so much alike, who cares?
Two things today. Random comments on some races, then a couple of soapbox rants.
Locally, we're sitting here in Oklahoma with a Congressman who gave up a safe seat and a senior position on an important committee to make a run against an incumbent governor with a 70% approval rating. He blew all his money making it out of the primary, and so he's broke. I think he's run maybe one television spot so far, and that aired LAST WEEK. Not exactly an agressive campaign strategy. Yes, there are a couple more weeks. It's probably helpful if you've found an issue by this point, though.
There's an open seat in Congress because of the aforementioned race, and so that was a bit of a crazy run through the primaries. There were about a bajillion people running. Mary Fallin is more than likely going to win. The Democratic opponent is a doctor- he's very articulate and has some interesting (if possibly unfundable) ideas about healthcare. What he didn't have going in is a lot of name recognition.
Um. We're electing a new lieutenant governor because the old one quit to get a seat in Congress. Both candidates seem pretty much underwhelming.
And here, for the possibly two of you reading (like you don't know them already) are my top five pet peeves about American politics right now:
1. There's this thing called the Constitution. It's kind of important. And you should have read it at least once. Sidebar: "the pursuit of happiness" is NOT in the Constitution. Just so you know.
2. Re: the war in Iraq. You can't remake a government in 30 minutes or less. Planning is a good thing, giving out a departure date is a bad thing. Letting the Iraqi government come up with goals and deadlines for themselves to accomplish those goals is a good thing. Supporting them until they can support themselves is also a good thing. Are people dying? Yes. Does that suck? Yes. But our soldiers are volunteers and they are doing something fantastic by protecting us and these other people. This isn't a made-for-TV drama that wraps up in an hour, minus commercials.
3. If I hear one more Senator or Congressman say "And I strongly support having investigational hearings on that"....oy. They have to keep having these hearings, you see, because the other side is doing things that are so very bad! Congress is hardly in session in an election year as it is, maybe they could spend some time on things like tax reform, or immigration legislation, or cow emission studies. Seriously. Haven't they got something slightly more important to worry about?
4. So, I'm a Republican, but have come to accept social support legislation. (Don't ask whether it could use some reform or not- different thing altogether). There's yet another area that I didn't think about until my impending due date started to loom larger...Random factoid: 163 countries in the world have paid maternity leave. The United States is not one of them. It's ok- neither are Swaziland or Lesotho. So we're not alone. Just close to it. Instead, what do we do? FMLA- 12 weeks of UNPAID leave. How many people can afford three months without pay? So I may well be looking for daycare for Noah when he's six weeks old. Legislate on THAT, and cut somebody's afternoon hearing, would you please?
5. Why should I vote for you, besides the fact that you have an elephant or a donkey by your name on the ballot? Sorry, I can think and would like to know something besides your party affilitation. A trunk doesn't get you my vote, and the big pointy ears don't necessarily lose it for you. Make a case, please. We're smart enough to understand one. (And "I'm not that other guy" doesn't count.)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand that's about all the rant I've got in me for the day.
posted by Brie @ 2:18 PM
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