One thing that really impresses me about Eric Meyer, CSS guru and impromptu political analyst is that in his article Partied Out he calls a dud election a dud election. I keep coming back to the idea that neither candidate is worth voting for. I’m not a Republican and I’m not a Democrat I registered ‘unaffiliated’ in Colorado and I plan on voting for the candidate that appears to be best qualified.
Neither Bush and Kerry are qualified, in my opinion, to run this country. This country has reached a point where every politician runs the country with a bribe scheme. I was talking with my dad about this and he reminded me of John Kennedy’s statement:
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.
This quote should ring like a shot fired through the political crap that is being flung in the ‘arena’ of popular politics. U.S. citizens should be voting with a long term perspective not a selfish, short-term perspective.
If the United States politician’s job is to feed, clothe or take care of its citizens then we’ve come a long way from the starting point that was once the work of our founding fathers. They wanted to start a country that would allow for the citizens to be able to take care of their families, to provide for them, to protect them, but not to be invasive with laws, beaurocracy or dictatorial ruling.
In short, you’ve been given the right to vote. Vote, but don’t vote for either major political party if neither party represents the values of this country, your values and most importantly what is right. I had a talk with my father-in-law today and it brought me to think even more that if we’re going to be responsible citizens it may require us to vote for a third alternative for some time to get the message to the parties involved (Republican, Democrat, Green, Independent) that 2008, 2012 and 2016 are not long term enough. What is my daughter going to be doing when she’s 18 and old enough to vote (2020)? I don’t know exactly, but I’m going to vote with that in mind. And what will my great, great grandkids be doing when they are old enough to vote (2100’s)? I don’t know [I hope they’re not using Windows OS ;)] but I’m going to vote with that in mind.
I’m not saying you and I should not vote practically and that there aren’t issues to be dealt with now, but I do think that a broader perspective would drastically alter the way most Americans voted.
Read Eric’s article, read Ben’s articles (1, 2, 3). Read Trint’s posting. Read. Think. Think Some More. Then, when you have the oportunity to vote, do so. Go register if you’re not registered. Think about your great-great-great-great grandkids – they may not hear about you as an American hero or world visionary, but if you vote and pass on the ideals of this country to them, they just might think of you. I thank my grandparents and parents for thinking and talking about their worldviews with me because I learned a lot about this countries ideals through them. Ideals I plan to teach my grandchildren.