Mission Statement
Note: Discussion will be kept as free as possible, but all comments deemed inappropriate will be removed.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Obama's Plan: Tax Cut or Spending Increase?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Racism
Obviously, there are lots of reasons that some people won’t be voting for Barack Obama. But, this post is not about racism’s role in this election, it’s about racism in America. Now the majority of Americans are not racist, but having been raised in the South, I know good and well that racism is very much alive, and that it is thriving. I’m not just talking about the blatant sort; I’m talking about the covert, the coded, and the obscured. You probably know exactly what I mean even if you can’t quite put your finger on it. It’s the sort of racism that prompts a store employee to follow a well-dressed black woman around but not a similarly dressed white person. It’s the sort of racism that makes people say they “don’t trust” Barack Hussein Obama. It’s the kind of racism where a person carefully avoids eye contact and rushes to get out of the way of a black person on the sidewalk. It’s the kind of racism that makes people say “I’m worried what will happen if Obama wins, because I think that black people will take it as payback time” (NPR roundtable discussion with Western PA residents). Let’s face it, America is still afraid of black people. The old narratives of hypersexual violent black men are still silently bubbling under the surface of the American psyche. What narrative do you think Ashley Todd played into with her despicable false police report—big black man brutally attacks helpless white woman for supporting McCain. That incident, if no other, surely exposed the ugly underbelly of racial tension that permeates American culture.
This election has also exposed racism and ignorance towards Arab and Muslim Americans. When a woman asserted to John McCain that Obama was a Muslim, McCain’s response was “No, no he’s not, he’s a decent family man”. Now, I’m not calling McCain racist, his response was in a certain context that pinned him to this bumbling answer lest he be called a terrorist-lover himself. Clearly though, this answer is less than ideal: Muslims aren’t decent family people? We all need to take responsibility as Americans to uphold a basic tenet of our constitution: Freedom of Religion! Someone should also point out that there are Arabs who are Christian and every other religion, and being Arab or Muslim doesn’t make one a terrorist. Please, if you hear someone make an ignorant comment, correct it immediately and with gusto, or we’re gonna be herding people into detention camps again.
Now, I know I sound preachy, and possibly paranoid, but do know that I am not asserting that racism is playing a major role in this election, the polling data so far shows that it’s probably a moot point. But I am asserting that this election is exposing a racist undercurrent that has been hidden for the last couple of decades by coded language, “multiculturalism”, and “color-blindness”. No, we are not living in a post-racial society. No matter what direction this election swings, I hope that we will continue to discuss race openly, because we can’t air our dirty laundry in a dark, dank, basement and expect it to dry without mildew. No, it’s not all about race, but for minorities in this country… race and racism is very important, and very present in our every day lives. Our pursuit of happiness, therefore, is sometimes a slightly rougher road. Many minority groups in this country have been told to stop whining and stop expecting government handouts and to accept personal responsibility for an unfortunate state of affairs. I only ask that those of you, who find yourselves in the dominant race and culture, also accept some personal responsibility and address the ignorant and racist beliefs of those around you when you hear them.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Why I Can't Vote For Obama
Now there are obviously plenty of rational and sane advocates on both sides of this race (sorry to you Bob Barr supporters, but there are only two sides to this election). My roommate worked for the Obama campaign, and we often find ourselves discussing the candidates, their stances on the issues, their ads and other aspects of what has become presidential politics in America. We (usually) manage to do this in completely calm fashion because we are both intelligent, educated, decent human beings. And we realize that (1) there is far more to life than politics and (2) there is nothing we can personally do to change the outcome of the election. As such, there is no reason for us to get into heated exchanges that will strain our relationship over a matter so personally unrelated to our daily lives as this election, which is still weeks away. Speculation should not breed contempt.
And yet, that is the very problem I have with Obama supporters (I will now refer to them generally, but I only implicate those lunatics mentioned in the opening paragraph). I love debating political issues . . . with people like my roommate, because he, like me, realizes that it is not going to be the end of the world because of who wins an election. But you simply cannot "debate," in the real sense of the word, with the Obama people that I am referring to. (As a point of clarification, you cannot debate with lunatic right-wingers either, but they don't cause me as many headaches, so they are not the target of this post.)
These Obama supporters are rabid, and as such, are completely closed to the use of reason or logic. You can't debate people who won't listen. In my experience, these sorts of supporters have very strongly held beliefs, which I respect. The problem, however, is that they simply cannot comprehend that someone (i.e. me) might have beliefs that differ from theirs. They are incredulous that I do not find Obama's healthcare plan the epitome of how a government should be run (or how a government should run things). But in my opinion, the government is very bad at running things outside of a few key areas (like the military). In fact, the left-wingers are in full support of this idea . . . as long as Republicans are the ones running the government. Democrats, they claim, are perfectly equipped to run massive government bureaucracies that control key aspects of our lives. But in my experience, government is government, no matter who is running it. Special interests, pork projects and the like will continue to dominate American politics until we start electing a higher caliber of politician, and that is rather unlikely to occur. But that is of course just one example; any platform issue could be substituted in its place. Obama supporters can't believe that someone would have the audacity (or stupidity or CLEARLY RACIST FEELINGS) to disagree with their man Barack. It is no longer a political debate at that point . . . it becomes personal. Either you are with Obama or you are against him (and all of his supporters). Funny, Democrats moaned when Bush used that line during the War on Terror, but have no problem applying it just as harshly against their fellow citizens and, they sometimes forget, equal members of this great country.
Another problem I have with these rabid loyalists is that they somehow think that Saint Obama is above politics. This, I find, is the main misconception which has fueled all of the other issues. Barack Obama, I will say, is a brilliant politician. He used the theme of Change exactly when it was necessary. This election should have been locked up from Day One. Even Republicans are sick and tired of President Bush and America looking foolish or weak in the international community (although we care a lot less about the international community's thoughts, generally). However, when I say Obama is a politician, that is what I mean. The man is the consummate politician. Politician with a capital P, basically. He has risen extremely quickly to the top, and this has been through his political wheeling and dealing, some possible opportunism and definite use and discarding of allies when necessary (See: Bill Ayers, whom Obama befriended when necessary to launch his state senatorial campaign at the man's house, but discarded as nothing more than a fellow Board member when it became known that he was a terrorist). I don't hold this specifically against Obama. After all, any politician has to do this to succeed in America. The problem I have is that his supporters don't recognize or acknowledge this fact. They think he was sent from Heaven (or Krypton) and is therefore better than the rest of the people in Washington, when in fact, he is merely the personification of a successful politician.
This blindness, and the irrational inability to debate, rather than just accepting what Obama says as Gospel, are just some of the reasons why I cannot stand Obama's supporters. And I simply cannot align myself with such people and vote for Obama this November.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
True Confessions of a Liberal Pinko Commie: How American Politics Relate to Emo
See, really, all of my beliefs stem from one very simple one: people suck with one exception, me.
This is why, in addition to being a Liberal Pinko Commie, I am also an elitist, in that I'm the only person qualified to do anything right.
But it's also why I think government should control everything but me, and I should be the person running the government. Yes I'll be the leader of the vanguard (if you have any idea what I'm talking about congratulations, you're a member of the educated elite and will likely be burned at the stake along with the rest of us). Anyway, since I'm pretty sure people are stupid and greedy and can't control their urges I think we need government to step in and act like the adult in the room. Protect us from ourselves! But not me.
No, I should be allowed to do whatever I want. I should be able to drink what I want, worship who I want, smoke what I want, screw who/what I want, marry who I want, say what I want, and last but not least, carry as many guns as I want!
But no one else should be able to do that. Why? Well they'll destroy America.
Wait, now I've confused myself.
You see, this is the problem with both political parties today. Neither platform matches the name anymore. And neither fits neatly into the spectrum either. The Republican base seems to be really into small government when it comes to the market (though not in practice of late), and really into big government when it comes to social issues, like gay marriage. Sarah Palin recently typified this by saying the following regarding a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage:
“I am, in my own, state, I have voted along with the vast majority of Alaskans who had the opportunity to vote to amend our Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman. I wish on a federal level that that's where we would go because I don't support gay marriage.
“I'm not going to be out there judging individuals, sitting in a seat of judgment telling what they can and can't do, should and should not do,” she said. “But I certainly can express my own opinion here and take actions that I believe would be best for traditional marriage and that's casting my votes and speaking up for traditional marriage that, that instrument that it's the foundation of our society is that strong family and that's based on that traditional definition of marriage, so I do support that.”
So ... you're not going to tell people what to do, but you do want to make it illegal for them to get married??? whaaaa??? Oh and don't get me started on the separation of church and state issue here.
So I'm confused.
Apparently, both parties are angst-ridden teenagers going through identity crises; one has become a born-again Christian and the other a whiny little spoiled Emo rocker. I'm just going to play the part of an alcoholic parent, check their drawers for abortion clinic bombs and shrooms, and stay Independent (but I'll be voting Democrat because I am a liberal pinko commie).
(Disclaimer: I mean no offense to born-again Christians, half my family are such, but you damn Emo kids need to suck it up and appreciate all that expensive equipment mommy and daddy bought you so you can "express" yourself. Son of a *****!)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Hawaii Drops Universal Child Health Care After Seven Months
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
You Don't Have to Appreciate, But Don't Hate
Friday, October 10, 2008
ACORN Is Nuts/Another Shady Obama Connection
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A Better Debate
No More Foreclosures!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My Genius Plan to Save the Economy
So, one of the reasons people way smarter than I with actual degrees in economic theory and stuff say that the Recession in 1929 turned into the Great Depression was the underconsumption spiral of death. That is, that when money got a little tight, people stopped spending money, leading to a sharp decline in consumption. This of course meant that companies weren't making any money and had to lay people off, resulting in higher unemployment resulting in even less spending resulting in more lay offs resulting in less spending resulting in more layoffs repeat for 5 years and the unemployment rate peaks at 24%.
Thus, my plan for saving the economy is simple: get in touch with your inner consumer. Take your next paycheck and go buy that Wii game you've been wanting. Get yourself some rims! Buy your girlfriend that sexy taupe colored suede blazer with the silk lining she's be wanting. Gorge yourself on Halloween candy. Treat yourself to a mani-pedi. Let the pleasures of sweet sweet consumption engulf your very being. In these trying economic times there is nothing more effective than to indulge in some retail-therapy. It's the patriotic thing to do. Remember, we're at war, spendin's your chore.
In all seriousness folks,
Adair
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Credit Crunch Hitting State Governments
Ready to Lead
Friday, October 3, 2008
Introduction
The very name of the blog--When America Suffers Politics--explains why we feel that you asking that initial question is problematic. When your first question--and thus, potentially the most pressing issue in your mind--involves identifying someone's political persuasion, I think that distracts you from what really matters, to wit, what people have to say. Having watched the vice presidential debate with a liberal and a left-winger (I will explain the differences in my next post), it is clear that too many people in this country are unwilling to listen to each other based solely on what seems to be an assumption, based on an opponent's political persuasion, of what that person believes in or will say. It is my opinion that there is no use in pigeonholing people into tiny titles and then judging them strictly on whether they are Liberal or Conservative.
My goal in contributing to WASP Blog is to counter this growing trend by giving a common-sense approach to world problems. I will basically type what I think, which is the way that I act in reality. This speaks to my method: I do as I say, and say as I do. I feel not only that there is no reason to do otherwise, but I believe that those who do are hypocrites, pure and simple.
And for those of you that still want to know the answer, I am a moderate conservative. I support the death penalty, but also the right to abortion. I support the troops but would prefer if we stopped using them to help out ungrateful other countries. I think that war is very necessary in reality, I don't think we have any business getting involved in religious affairs, I want to drill the hell out of Alaska, but I don't have any problem with gay marriage. These are obviously just samples and facts/circumstances will sway my opinions on any and all of these issues depending on the real world implications. In my thinking, there is no reason to take definite stands on anything, and actually doing so lowers your credibility in my eyes. If you aren't willing to adjust your views to real-world conditions, then I am not going to listen to your opinions, pure and simple.
My motto: Never trust anyone who speaks only in absolutes.
Enjoy.
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Is More Debt the Answer?
The Brilliance of John Stuart Mill
-from "On Liberty""Complete liberty of contradicting and disproving our opinion is the very condition which justifies us in assuming its truth for purposes of action; and on no other terms can a being with human faculties have any rational assurance of being right."
This is the spirit of WASP Blog--we function on the premise that we are right in our opinions because they are out there to be disputed by anyone who wishes to try, and we can then defend them based on fact and reason in the effort to find truth. If an opinion is merely subjected to praise from like-minded thinkers, then we really don't know if we're right or wrong, we are just blind. The liberty of our authors to write what they want, with whatever preference they want, knowing they will likely be criticized, is integral to establishing a common-sense view of the world steeped in sound reason, and that is what we strive to do.