I would no more vote for Hillary Clinton because she is a woman than I would vote for Barack Obama because he is Afrikan American.
I am a woman, and proud of it; I am African American, and proud of that, too.
But, had I been old enough, should I have voted for John F. Kennedy, just because my paternal roots were Irish, or because I was raised Roman Catholic?
Should I have voted for William Jefferson Clinton because he was so incredibly handsome, and -- it seems many woman find this appealing -- the "bad boy" image?
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When I do cast my vote in the primary, 2008, and in November 2008, my vote will be based on what the candidate's platform in relation to my own personal ideals and how they are integrated into what I think is best for America, America's future, and the world; this is not a popularity contest; this should not be politics as usual, and it should not be some mindless venture into a Feminist Political Power position, or a Black Power position.
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Where Senator Barack Obama is concerned, many people forget that he was raised by a White mother, and really didn't know his father, so he really exists in more than one world, and has more that one view. (I would have loved to have known his mother. Maybe she could have ran for Prez.) That aside.
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There is a generation, Generation Y coming in to vote in 2008 who will be watching us "adults", and seeing how WE vote, whether we vote responsibly, or vote, based on flimsy prejudices. I hope we don't let them down.
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Comments: 89
Now about Baby blue eyes Bill -- Huh? Say what? Bill was, is and will always be a BABE!, and he knows it.
Huzzah, Ladye!!
You may be right, but then again you may not be. I am African American, yet I would NEVER be so arrogant as to speak for the entire African American race, as we are so varied in our ways. It's interesting that you have such a powerful grasp on the matter.
I prefer Obama over Clinton.
Good article!
I think you are probably correct, but the key is to vote the issues, yes? Time will tell, though. Thanks for your wisdom, Heather.
I had another grandmother who dated "Dutch Reagan"....when he ran for Prez, she called me up and warned me NOT to vote for him..LOL (and SHE has DUTCH heritage) ha ha ha
I have a Columbian friend with dreads....and it IS gorgeous!! My own husband has long hair...no dreads, but long.. :)
How else do you explain the re-election of Ray Nagin in New Orleans? Or Marion Barry, a convicted crack user? Historically, blacks will put their race above all else when the opportunity presents itself in an election. Put a black on the ballot, and blacks will vote in overwhelming majority.
I am happy to have joined your group, "Our Ancestors". I suspect some great stories will come out of there.
No one can guarantee the actions of another. Only a fool would make such a proclamation that they could. No one can predict the actions of another. Let Don speak. Let him continue to speak and speak and speak. He doesn't need a profile; he reveals himself to everyone on Gather by his words, and he becomes transparent through those words.
Huzzah!
(where's Clark Kent, anyway?) lol
One of the things I like about Obama is that he is a "new" voice, not someone who's been knocking around washington for ages. His views and his accomplishments to this point speak highly for him, and, to me, would say the same things regardless of race, religion, or gender. I like how he conducts himself, too, with backbone, not afraid to speak up for himself, but doing so with dignity and not getting down in the mud in return when someone slings something untrue or unfair at him.
Thanks. I agree with you.
I have heard a lot about Obama. What about John Edwards? He definitely is not shabby? What about Kuchinich? What about, the other candidates? Obama and Hillary aren't the only ones running, and just because the media says they are the frontrunners, it's the PEOPLE who have the final
Personally, I am partial to Mike Gravel. I just don't think he will win.
It is such a heavy decision we weigh, here. I find I disagree on a point or two with each of the ones I like the best. Key, for me, is a desire for peace. My oldest child was born 9-10-01, we found out about the towers on the way home with her the next day. We've been at war, one way or another, her whole life, and I'd like to see peace.
I so agree, Lune! Both my eldest grandchildren were born on catastrophic days (one on the day the Waco, TX incident happened and the other on the day the Oklahoma bombing happened).
I believe these children are reincarnations of special souls from these disasters. Boddhisatvas, if you may. I hope they may all live in peace some day soon.
You know enough about me.There is enough info for you to get a good picture of who I am. Beyond that I don't think it's a good idea to divulge personal information in a political forum. I've been in online forums since 1987 (yes, before the WWW existed), so I know a little about protecting my identity. What I really want to know is why do you ask and why do you care?
Glad you could make it back. Just out of curiousity, who is your candidate for 2008?
And no, I don't care about your profile. You have every right to keep it anonymous. You have a point about protecting identities. :=)
What are your thoughts about the voting issues?
As for Democrats (I don't want to see a dem elected for President), but I think Obama is the best man for job (gee... maybe that will go a little ways toward proving I'm not a racist). He's got the least baggage and the best leadership skills.
well said
Who said you were a racist? I never said it, never thought it. I simply asked your ideas about your candidate for 2008. I am sincerely interested. I would also like to know why...this is a free exchange of ideas, right?
As always, well said!
I like Mitt Romney, although you have probably figured out I want a Dem in office, but Mitt isn't bad. As far as Repubs go, I am partial to McCain. Why, because my brother knew him personally, and liked him immensely! Surprised. They served on the USS Forrestal together. McCain was so darned brave and faced so much danger, you wouldn't believe the stories my brother told. I respect the man....
The comment should have been addressed to Lisa F. She said "you have come off sounding like a out of touch white republican, that is keeping himself just short of declaring for the Klan." Ridiculous.
Lots of traffic in here. :) I like McCain too for some of the same reasons except I love that he stood up to Bush. I agree that he isn't presidential. I think he's most effective where he is and I hope he stays a long time. He is a good man which is rare in Washington.
I don't want Hillary to get the nomination. There is something I can't quite trust there, too many questions. Obama so far is the front runner for my vote. I think he won't need to go buy a chicken farm to prove himself a man of the people.
I can't help but to feel compassion for Edwards. After all Elizabeth was reported to have cancer, but this,again, is where one can't allow emotion to get in the way. If I were working on emotion I would vote for Edwards BECAUSE of Elizabeth, even though I don't totally agree with his platform.
It's hard, really hard, to not allow emotion, but hard logic to rule you.
Thanks for your publication that inspires such patriotic passions. I only hope that as we approach the next election that Americans will do their homework and avoid the sexy spin of the marketing machines.
Hopefully that homework will produce the information so that we can all make an intelligent and informed choice that is deeply rooted in our hearts and souls.
In the last two presidential elections I feared that we would all be swayed by the marketing and misleading information that was professionally prepared with unlimited budgets so that a candidate could achieve this position of power. And sure enough, an individual that perhaps is a goodly person has been placed into a position that is very much over his head. Although one of God's creatures, he is in no way intellectually equipped or provided with the leadership qualities that bring the masses together.
His leadership is misguided in that it appears to have come from a ideological machine that was crafted to keep that ideology in power with a brilliant strategy to control the many checks and balances designed by our founding fathers. This party is bent on controlling all three branches of our government. They have been successful through scare tactics and deceptive information or in some cases distorted truth (you may also know this as lies).
Additionally there seems to be no accountability. Not at the top where it should be firmly in place nor at any level throughout the current administration. We have seen it repeatedly in the unwillingness to accept fault and responsibility. Be it natural disasters, political cover-ups, acts of war and aggression, torture of prisoners, or the organization and administering of justice from said department.
A certain guy who goes by a distinct letter has repeatedly said that history will be the judge. Too terribly bad he and many of our more mature citizens may not be around for the printing of those books and the recounting of the damage done by embracing the love of killing, controlling, lying, deception and greed.
When folks choose individuals who have an agenda of attacking countries in an offensive strike for no logical and founded reason at all, you will always have the repercussions that we are now experiencing. Imagine having some foreign power that has an entirely different view and idea of what a government's philosophy should be. Now imagine them attacking, invading, occupying and trying to institute their idea of the proper method of governing. (Say a communism). Now imagine that they have a religious affiliation and outspoken membership within the leadership of the government that threatens our view of what the "proper and acceptable" flavor of religion is. (Say Satanism). How fierce and for how long do you suppose there would be a resistance from every rifle carrying member of the NRA and perhaps even the daughters of the revolution? And what about the other diverse groups throughout this fine country, right down to the special Olympics?
The point here although seemingly unrelated, is that we should think long and hard and independent of political ads to make a decision that will unite and further the principles that our country was founded on. Total and true freedom with the desire to love and help one another. And hopefully that is deeply instilled in every individuals' conscience.
Whomever the leading candidates are, I certainly hope that the bulk of Americans will scream for a short list of people who are educated, and who can lead and UNITE the entire population in accomplishing the most important tasks at hand.
There are far too many issues that are morally at the top of the list in our country today. The fact that millions are starving, the fact that 100's of millions cannot or can barely afford the cost of medical attention. The fact that so very few numerically are in a group that enjoy extreme wealth but the majority of the country bows to their desires as well of those interests of special corporations. If you think that this is not fact, just wait as years will go by with the special interests that reap the financial rewards of the profitable medical systems now in place, fight with vigor to have you believe that health care as a provided government benefit is expensive, and will provide poor quality coverage.
Now IS the time to vote your conscience.
Tea Party 08
I know the point(s) are very related...
I was being silly of sorts. To my knowledge there is no tea party.... I was making to a reference that it is perhaps time for our citizens to demand better. The time for us to rise to a sort of "Boston Tea Party".... A new and peaceful revolution to take government out of the hands of the wealthy elite or corporate-influenced population and provide sound, honest governing policies that protect our freedoms and assist our citizens in living their lives.
No-one wants to pay taxes, but the fact is that we are all too busy (with the exceptions of a very few) to gather our own garbage, tend to our sick family, hunt/gather/farm for sustenance, police our turf, educate our children and plow the land in front of us as we require roads to drive to our employment locations.
So what we might require is a collection of reasonable fees or taxes that are spent honestly and wisely. And we might also request accountability to answer to the constituents for the jobs these elected and nominated officials perform.
Seems fair, doesn't it? So perhaps this election (o8) we can have a tea party and overthrow all of the current politicians who have performed miserably in their jobs. We simply require representation for our communities at every level. That shouldn't be too difficult and we really shouldn't have to pay dearly for it.
I know one family -- the Browns -- who would definitely agree with you. Do you have candidates you are supporting, or are you undecided?
Wouldn't it be something if it were possible to get the country's attention without all that money or having to win American Idol?
Angelo, a tea party might be just what we need unless it turns out to be like Alice's cuz we already have a Mad Hatter.
Personally, my "dream ticket" would be Gore/Obama. Gore could win the primary and the national election in a landslide. He's got massive name recognition, he's a straight shooter, he's extremely popular, and I think that after 2 disastrous terms of the worst president in US history, the public would absolutely leap at the chance to put the rightful winner of the 2000 election into his rightful place.
Eight years of Gore, Eight years of Obama, and we MIGHT be at the point where we'll actually be able to start righting the ship, after the horrendous damage that the neocons have wrought upon us since 1981.
But, you don't really believe that Gore will enter the race with Hillary in it.
Also, Gore in basking in the glory of his newly founded celebrity to ever -- I think get dirty, again, in this political stew that is going on now, don't you think?
The "Dream Ticket" does sound good, but I don't think Gore will give up celebrity for politics again, as Nalita said.
So...my vote goes for Obama...although I like Edwards, too.
Was this supposed to be an article where the speaking "hard logic to rule you'" to use your own words. Why don't you get with your own program, woman.
I'm not again you or Clark-kent. I'm against duality diguised. bye.
What are your stands on the issues?
Again, I apologize if I offended you, okay? :=)
Long way to go till the election, but since you asked I am pretty sure about the following:
I don't want to see Hilary in the nomination for the Dems. She also is too polarizing as maybe a W is. Not as much would be accomplished. Not that she is not qualified or intelligent or competent, I just don't personally feel as thought she would be the best candidate. Common sense says that you don't go with someone who is confrontational or will bring confrontation upon herself and the office.
Secondly, there is Mitt Romney... I lived in Michigan when his dad headed up the government there. A fine father and he is probably a fine gentleman and definitely more intelligent that a "W" (But then, so is most of the entire worlds population... LOL) I think Romney has accomplished a lot in business and that is always positive. Someone who can run a large corporation successfully and show profit and stay out of legal issues is a person to be reckoned with. We have a governor here in TN that has done much the same. As a businessman, Phil Bredesen was a genius and very very successful. Fortunately his accomplishments and skills have not gone to his head and he has been excellent in the governor's job. Intelligent, fair, honest, gets people to consense, well liked. Love the guy.
Thirdly there is a skilled and very accomplished Governor from New Mexico. Bill Richardson smokes everyone out there with his resume. He has been called upon by many presidents and he always delivers. I'm not sure if he could blow the other dems out of the water and get the nod for the position. I would read more about him and see if anyone gets a good feel for him and the movement from the grassroots and from the web moves him up the ladder.
Fourth, there is the accomplished Senator McCain. He has been a national hero and is best suited as a Senator that will work with a president. Besides, (for me) he's is still too excited about military and war which brings killing. So he's off my personal list.
Fifth there is the Ron Paul dude from Texas. Normally I don't care for anything from Texas except maybe Watermelons. Every time I'm there it seems that everyone truly believes that Texas is bigger and Texas is better (Sorry my friends from the great state of Texas) There have just been some leaders from that state that have disappointed me so. But Ron Paul says some good things and he really isn't the normal politician. I would interview him a couple of times. He did get a bad rap in the recent debates when he said that we invited the attack in NY on 9/11. Although he is not literally accurate.... he is pretty much nailing that one. Facts bear out that our support of Israel at any expense instead of supporting them as a neutral friend and also our position of not supporting and pleading for peace in the wild and crazy region where all the religions seen to have sprouted has added to our occupation of Iraq, our supplying weapons and money to Iran, Iraq or whomever we decide might to our bidding is very upsetting to some folks in those fine countries. (In case you don't remember, at one time we were making love to Iran then to Iraq including a certain mr S Hussein)Remember that the human beings from all of those countries are like us, for the most part very good people. They (like some of us) will follow the words and actions of leaders and can be whipped into a frenzy to act like religious zealots who might just think that there God is speaking to them and then strap on some dynamite and go to market. (Although I am a Christian, I still have been amazed by some of the zany and idiotic things that come out of the mouths of those zealots who believe that God is speaking directly to them and cutting out the middleman!) For a good example on this point consider that W got the whole country hating Sadam and got the whole country to believe he personally was involved along with his country in the attacks on 011 and then you see what happened with the lynch mob he whipped up. We couldn't get the crosshairs on ahyone with a towel on their heads fast enough. (I still have countless emails from "friends and God loving Americans" who were composing them a mile-a-minute.... So who are the bad guys anyhow? Maybe that's why there are things in the Christian Bible about the person without any sins should be casting the first nuclear missle first! Heck there might be a similar passage in the Koran as well!)
And then there is Mr Obama. So far I have him as my personal favorite, purely because of his alleged talents in getting people to come together. Just think how much we could accomplish in 4 years if all the dems and all the republicans would row in the same direction for a few years. But no... all of those clowns think they are thinking for us and do illegal and moronic things in an attempt to achieve their vision of what patriotism means to them. So too does he have some good credentials as a student and he has had less time to be tainted by the interest groups that occupy the capital. As far as the knock on experience...look at W. All he ever did was run things into the ground before being the pres. He knew nothing of foreign policy and that is evident in the fact that he has ruined our rapport with everyone this side of anywhere. Additionally he screwed up every oil company he was involved with and got bailed out by rich interests because he was related to his daddy. He messed up the Rangers and really didn't do much as the governator of TX. (This is all as I have read it to be) So Barack could name that tune in 3 notes.
There are many other candidates, but most of them are still working on removing their heads from other orifices. Look at Giuliani... Okay guy, just not the right guy. How could you trust a guy that did his wife the way that he did. And I truly believe that he did not run the 9/11 drill in the best interests of the firemen and other rescuers. He did do a great job at increasing arts and cleaning up the big apple though.
So read up and see if you can find out who your conscience has you vote on. And by all means, try to influence others to vote and help them understand that you need to vote on the person and their ability to do the job honestly and with accountability. These Nixon and W types are not too trustworthy. They want to hide this and executive privilege that. What's to hide if you are honest, truthful and accountable.
Hope that helps...you asked for it!
As for Gore, I voted for the guy and here in his home state he was not as popular. Kinda polarizing even though he's not confrontational.
Also from our state is Fred Thompson.... I suppose he would be a good actor, his views both current and when he was a senator is okay if you are among the far right folkies. I would rather have someone who believes in #4...Thou shall not kill... no asterisk...no killing nobody...never...not while in the womb, not as a mentally retarded convicted criminal not as a prisoner of war, just never....Go's back to loving the neighbor philosophy.
I'm glad I asked for it, and I hope you don't stop, Man. That was so informative.
Hillary lost me when she voted for the war. I saw right through her, end of subject, PERIOD. Maybe, I shouldn't express my opinion, but I don't think little ole me is going to influence anyone. Anyone whose husband is the ex-President has far more access to intelligence reports than any Senator or Representative -- those do not stop after leaving office for a President, so who's fooling who? Certainly, George Bush did not fool/deceive or mislead her as she claims. She bent to pressure. Bending to pressure is a failure of leadership. Her husband, despite what people think of him, despite the immense pressure he was under with the scandals and the impeachment proceedings, etc., never bent to pressure -- he stood his ground -- PERIOD, and much to the frustration of Republicans the American people en masse stood behind him. How do I know? Why they re-elected him, didn't they?
I like Mitt Romney, but I don't know much about his record, his political history. What I have heard make him sound like a reed in the wind. That's not good, so I have no opinion of Romney, except he seems likeable. I am aware of his business acumen, but it would take more than that to run a country like the United States; you really do need to be a great politician.
I agree with everything you said about Bill Richardson. I wish he were taken more serious, and were in the "top tier" of contenders; unfortunately he isn't.
My taste of Texas is taste enough. My previous employers, the ones who successfully achieved a hostile takeover of my beloved previous employers were from Texas, so for a long time I had to hear about how great Texas was, how superior Texas was to California, how Californians were lazy, stupid, overpaid, no account, worthless -- a host of insults, until it was too much to bear. These people hated us, but in retrospect I think it was more jealousy; they wanted our company because we held 25% of the entire nation's long distance market and was the door to the Pan-Asian (a huge) market. Additionally, at that time (probably still) California had the 5th largest economy in the world, so they were being greedy. Ron Paul is a serious contender. Anyone who thinks he isn't had better think again, and wake up.
With Obama, again you are correct -- the buzz word is "experience". Did you read my poem/essay, "Experience This"? I wrote it in March of this year after I heard some Republicans speaking on CSPAN and stating that they hoped Hillary won the Democratic nomination because they didn't want this "Obama fellow" to win. They were hoping Hillary spout her "experience" skills and she has. They are itching, for some reaching to have a go at Hillary; for another reason they are not looking for to a match with Obama.
I feel for McCain, but I don't support his pro-war march.
The Chinese's saying "We you live in interesting times." (sign)
Angelo. We certainly do, don't we.
Please continue to comment. You are a light. Thank you.
Edwards? I envision an Obama/Edwards ticket. I can't see Hillary playing second fiddle to anyone.
Who am I for? I thought voting was a private thing. Why do you want to know?
I am learning a lot here. I haven't been keeping up with my politics as of late.
Thank you everyone for this interesting and enlightening discussion.
You are absolutely correct -- my bad -- your vote is a private privilege/right. No more said on that topic.
I cannot have ten people, who are African American, in my home who have even similar sentiments. You won't believe this, because of my Gather activity, but I oppose political talk in my house (lol). Doesn't stop anybody, but at least I can raise my objection.