Politics & Me

I'm going to write today about a "taboo" topic called Politics. I know, generally, politics and religion are a very touchy subject and one that a lot of people do not like, but being the "tell you how I really feel," kind of person I am, I'll talk....

I consider myself a moderate Democrat-I'm ALL about women's & children's issues and bettering the life of the working class. I believe in stronger healthcare, better working environments and well, just better!

I have a huge problem with the way celebrities are treated like royalty and I feel that if politicians got half as much attention as celebrities do, America would be a whole new and different country! If we were tuned into our representatives, and THEIR daily happenings, money deals and families, oh, can you imagine? A whole new country!

I grew up in a Democrat household and though my parents' political beliefs were never pushed upon me, I became an adult Democrat through my own research, analysis and opinions.

I am for democracy.

I am not Republican because I feel this is a country about democracy, not a Republic. And because I have found that democrats are more for the common, working man/woman, while Republicans tend to be for big business, especially our current Administration!

I believe the United States was founded on the principles of Democracy, Government for the People, By the People.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of that is going by the way side and here's why:

Since the threat of terroism, our "freedom of speech," is slowly being taken away. Granted, we still have general freedom of speech, but it's now limited. That's sad.

The Delegate system in the Federal Election (Presidential) was put in place to represent the will of the people, however, in most states, the consitutued delegates do NOT have to vote by way of the popular peoples' vote. I'm divided on this topic b/c I think that most American's today are severely UNDER-educated, especially when it comes to their country, so maybe having delegates in a good thing, since a lot of poeple don't vote anyhow.

Oh, that's a HUGE problem I have. Most of the people I know do NOT vote. That's wrong. I don't care if it doesn't count, which it should, I don't care if you're busy and tired and bla, bla, bla....you have a RIGHT, and a responsiblity, to VOTE. People (including women for women) fought and died with blood and tears so that we COULD vote-by NOT voting, it's slapping them in the face with a HUGE amount of disrespect and ungratefulness.

People need to vote at the local level first, b/c that's where the votes DO count the most. A city does not have it's own delegates, it only has it's citizens. So, if citizens vote, power of the people MUST be heard.

The reason so many people are UNeducated about their own cities, policies and politics and canidates in general is b/c people in this country are just too damn busy....

Politics, whether local or national, is something that most people do not have time for, or do not want to make the time for; most Americans are working 40+ hours a week at a regular job, and god knows how many more hours at home-it takes ALOT to run a household. Compound that with growing families, and growing bills, and what you get is this: incredibly exhausted, drained, and broke (financially speaking) people who would rather sleep or watch a Reality TV show than talk about REAL issues such as politics and canidates.

I'm not talking about Democrat vs. Republican or Conservative vs. Liberal; the truth is, no matter how one politically classifies themselves, they all want the same basic things:

Healthcare: not as a privilage, but as right. As working Americans who bust our butts putting food on the table, gas in the car, and clothes on our children-we ALL deserve fair and equal healthcare without the enourmous expense it has become. EVERYONE wants, needs and deserves healthcare. If we're the richest country in the world, there is NO reason for anyone NOT to have healthcare.

Better Education: our tax dollars are already paying for it, why not make it worth paying for? Whether education be at the elementary level or the college level, without education, one is nothing. Education cannot be taken away, no matter what. EDUCATION=LIBERATION!

A Voice: we all want, and deserved to be heard. In a democratic society that is run by the people, for the people, the PEOPLE must be heard. Even if our opinions differ, we have the right to be HEARD, without fear of persecution, ridicule or even imprisonment.

High Minimum Wage: why doesn't everything else keep going up and up and yet the federal minimum wage hasn't changed in over nine years?

Fair & Equal Housing: doesn't everyone want a soft place to fall that they can call their own? I believe so.

Social Security/Secure Retirement: come on, after 45+ years of working 40+ hours a week, we've EARNED and DESERVED more than enough money to live off of in our older years. Social Security is slowly slipping away, and while we may differ about how to save it, the point is we all want to do just that: save social security.

Responsible Coperations, and Responsible Politics: aren't you tired of people in higher-up NOT being held accountable for their actions? Like, say, Kenneth Lay, our own President, and even celebrities. If I committed theft, I'd certainly go to jail. If I embezzled money, I'd go to prison. Why shouldn't those in higher up be held responsible and accountable just like everyday citizens are?

Cleaner Environment: cleaner water, clearer air, and inhbiting destruction of forrests, rainforrests, coastlines and natural habitats.

These are all things we all want, regarldess of our political affiliations.

The problem is that money talks louder than anything else (always has, always will) and nobody takes responsibility for their actions. It's a constant blame game society we live in, where money rules and clout means more than anything.

So, this is how I seeit myself:

I can change myself, I can change my house, I can even change my town, and country (to a certain extent), but I CANNOT change the world. I believe if everybody stopped worrying about everyone else's problems and hangups, we'd be a lot better off. If we minded our own business and started paying attention to what REALLY matters-we might get somewhere.

The truth is, we're a lot more United than we think we are. Sure, we may differ on things like abortion, death penalty, etc...but we all want the same basic things,

We all deserve the same rights, and most of all, we, along with our forefathers AND mothers, have earned them.

Please feel free to add your two cents and I thank you for listening!

Many Blessings,
-SL