Wednesday, November 5, 2008

My One Politically Driven Two Cents

I spent most of the election trying to avoid it. I did my own research, but couldn't wait for things to just be over, one way or another. This election was personal for a lot of people, and there were (in my opinion), dishonorable and unnecessary attacks from all sides. It was not a clean election by any stretch of the imagination. (but then again, how long has it been since we had one of those?) I'm glad it's over. I'm ready for people to stop shoving their opinions at other people. We all think we're right, and we're all entitled to our opinion, but we are not entitled to scream at people and insist that our opinion is the only one that is right. I know most people think that they're right, and that's okay...what's not okay is all of the incivility, judgment and intolerance. You can disagree with someone without being these things.

I stayed away from the overwhelming political blog posts. I made the choice not to post about politics. But I have a lot on my mind this morning, and I figure, what the hey, it's my blog and I can write what I want. Right?

That being said, I'm disappointed. To be quite honest, I didn't fully support either candidate. But I did agree with McCain on more issues than I did with Obama, though not all of them.

I'm thrilled that we will have diversity in the White House, it has been a long time coming. Our first black president, how wonderful is that? It gives me hope.

But I have misgivings. I'll admit that I'm disturbed and scared. Why you might ask? Because many of the ideas, words and phrases that I have been hearing from Obama himself, are socialist in nature. As a student and lover of history, this scares me. (if you have a civilized response to this, I would love to hear it, to hear differing opinions or alternate ideas/understandings)

I am hoping and praying to be pleasantly surprised. I would be delighted to find that my fears were unnecessary, that would make me incredibly happy. But right now, I don't know. But I will keep on hoping and praying, and things will work out. They always do. And to the many Obama supporters, congratulations on a good win. I really do hope that he does a great job and that I'm pleasantly surprised.


7 comments:

Trooper Thorn said...

Your open and honest assessment of the appeal of the candidates is refreshingly free of partisan prejudice Jaina. In many ways, the voters had a difficult time choosing because both candidates were people of character who would have been positive voices of change.

Socialism, academically speaking, is a wonderful ideal but in practice acts only to stifle individual advancement and suppresses a strong economy. Compared to the US, Canada is a socialist country and, while it is a wonderful place to live, the many freedoms we do without are as a result of handing over decision making to the government. Universal Healthcare is neither free (taxes, user fees and 50% employer funded insurance) nor available (surgery wait times of over a year). Business investment is low due to a lack of tax incentives for profits (or being able to deduct your mortgage for example). The same lack of tax incentives provides little reward for charitable donations.

All that aside, the free market economy, entrepreneurship and good old manifest destiny are so well entrenched in the US culture than no president, even Karl Marx himself could turn that nation Red.

Thanks for coming by my post again. I did post the transcript between Biden and Palin in case you are interested.

Erin said...

i didn't totally agree with either canidate-either. i picked the one that fit our family the best. (and his name started with an J). oh well, i hope obama does all he has promised and all people think he can. it will help everyone!

Jaina said...

Trooper - Thank you. I really was a little nervous posting it, but it was just so persistent in my mind (and slightly obnoxious) that I needed to get it out. I've gotten so frustrated with people shoving the opinions as God-given truth, I didn't want to do it myself, I really do believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm glad that sentiment came across in my post. Sure, I didn't vote for Obama, I'm still not his biggest fan...but he's going to be our new president and I'm planning to give him a a chance to change my mind. I would love to have had unnecessary worries and doubts. I would love to be wrong in this case.
I agree the the ideas of socialism are wonderful in theory, but like you said, in practice not so much. Thank you so much for your insightful comment. I loved that transcript, too funny. :)

Erin - That's really all that you can do. I share your hopes, he really does have a lot going for him, I truly hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Supercool Hotmama said...

I am with you. Could be scary, but we'll see. I hope he has our Country's best interest in mind and makes good choices.

Jaina said...

HotMama - Thanks :) Me too.

Petunia said...

Socialism is the exact opposite of the principles that this country was founded upon. I wish that people understood what Trooper Thorn said above about universal healthcare being neither free or available. We do not want this in the U.S.

Jaina said...

Petunia - Very well put. I agree with them that there needs to be some help in the health care/benefits field, but I think something besides universal health care would be best. Unfortunately I have no idea what this would be. Thanks for your comment, it was spot on :)