ICE doesn't make me feel like I'm posting an article, or publishing a writing. It fills me with a sense that I'm sending a memo.
So, here's a political memo for y'all to circular file.
Happy corporatin'.
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I'd like to see John McCain pull a Lieberman. I'd like to see him walk away from the current Republican party in a huff; and pull all the Christine Todd-Whitmans, and perhaps some chunks of the Ron Paulers with him.
I'd like to see John McCain part the Red State Sea and lead all the dissatisfied Republicans off to a new promised land. A place where the more productive, beneficial and socially conscious aspects of the Republican ideologies can be championed and promoted unimpeded by iron-gloved kings, fiddle playing ceasars or sauntering conquistadors.
For all I know, those that could or would leave the Republican Party, due to the types of edicts and actions that the most recently in power have enacted, might well step into the Libertarian Party. The ideologies seem, to my eyes, as quite close cousins.
Another thing I'd really like to see is Hillary as Obama's VP.
America could use a connection like that, between the new popular and the old popular, the new positive vision and the past positive reality, the up and coming voice to the acclaimed established worker, and a connection between all the differing social and cultural aspects that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama personify individually.
But, if not her, I hope it's Biden, or Edwards; or better yet: Al Gore.
On a different note; I'd also like to see patriotism (commitment to the country's overall well being) holding the sway over partisanship (commitment to one party's best interests) in our political arenas.
Certain Republican voices have come out to say that engaing in partisan activites while holding office is perfectly appropriate. I reference ex-Secretary of the State of Ohio, Ken Blackwell, who has recently appeared on MSNBC.
To my mind this conflicts with the morality seemingly established by the founding fathers, which indicated that this government's job is to take care of ALL the people equally.
Partisan promotion while holding office should be strictly limited, tightly monitored and severely punished. Any thing that creates an obvious conflict of interest between the benefit of the people and the benefit of only one party should be avoided like a plague or pox.
Them's my thoughts; and I'm stickin' to 'em.
TGIF
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01 August 2008
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Bill's Spirit is an Artist, Writer, Poet, Philosopher currently wordsmithing social commentary from a humble digital forge in small town Ohio.
The works of the man behind Bill's Spirit have been published in small, alternative and amateur presses since 1986. Before that, they just filled notebooks, decorated walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.
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Comments: 49
On the McCain side I’m still hoping for the miracle choice of J.C. Watts for VP.
On the other hand, for Obama, anyone but Gore. If you think Cheney was Bush’s puppet master, imagine how Gore would control Obama.
I wrote about this stuff in my Lesser of Two Evils article.... I want to write another one about congress..... blech!
Gore as VP--So, is it my understanding Bill that you want him to abandon the environmental cause as he did in 2000 when he ran for president?
McCain isn't going to abandon anything, this is his last chance to be President. Maybe he should choose Hillary for VP, they could be dubbed the "last chance ticket."
That would be the perfect dream team. A future I would look forward to.
One reason Obama appeals to me is that he and I are about the same age. We still have many years left and need to see that the future isn't going to be bleak. I'm not wealthy and I need to know that as long as I am working, I won't lose my home. I want to see alternative fuels become a reality and create jobs in the US. I figure someone in my age range will want to improve the country so maybe one day, we'll all be able to retire.
It is presently illegal for government employees to engage in politics while working. I don't see why a govenor would be exempt.
The early days of our nation were replete with partisanship. And conflict of interest was vast as well. Ben Franklin wanted to be postmaster general so he could send his own mail free of charge!
We recognize today, that conflict of interest is counter to the best interests of the public but when the country was founded, the country was run by select white male citizens and the wellbeing of the public was mostly secondary.
I understand your thinking but many of the founding fathers had the same thought. The finally decided that it would be a serious mistake to impose term limits. They referenced it as something that "looked so great but was so wrong!"
I think most politicians have some concept of the best interests of the people/nation in their minds. It's just that money in their campaign coffers has to take precedence in order to be elected. And that is the first job of any politician. Even the most pure of heart can fix nothing if he is not elected!
And term limits would ultimately make this country run by entrenched bureaucrats who don't answer to the people every two or six years.
term limits would leave too much power on the table for career bureaucrats and lobbyists.
They would then become the unelected rulers of America.
It's bad enough already that we have too many of both (career/lobbyists)
with their hands in the till.
that 3.5 Richter coming out of Texas is LBJ spinning in his grave...
This is a frightening concept. Opening the doors of the White House to those with no consciences? Even more frightening is how easily the American people are being fooled by these people. I mean this sincerely. These people are not leadership material.
Look at the past eight years and you'll see that the door to the White House has already accepted those with no conscience! I cannot imagine a lesser conscience than that of the two top persons in the administration. Then add in Rumsfeld, Ascroft, Gonzales and other deserving candidates, it's a slam dunk!
I am not much for arguing, but have to agree with James C. I think you got some "splainin" to do. We have just all witnessed the most corrupt bunch of Republicans since Teapot Dome. Oliver North looks like the tooth fairy compared to these guys. Chuck Colson looks like a saint. (Actually I think he is doing some good work as an evangelical advocate in prisons.)
Meanwhile, the Bush folks are jumping from the sinking ship and all writing books with the same message; "I told 'em they were wrong, but no one would listen to me." I don't think Rice will pen a book. She seems to have some teflon surface that deflects the Bush cooties.
BTW, I really like and admire Edwards and his wife. I would have liked to see him as Prez with Obama or Hillary as VP, but I would also like a gold pocket watch.
Most of the "things" Bill's "sense of hope" would love to see from this election are really quite alarming to me. Ahh, but who cares, it's only the Country's future.
Bill- might I add one? It is the desire of my "sense of hope" that McCain takes a hard swing to the right (and that would be one long swing) or gets lost. Preferably the latter.
Love Donald Rumsfeld! His downfall? Just as Kay has said...a CNN, "tiny liberal footprint" War to satisfy "compassionate conservatives" and Leftists. Huge mistake, and he was given no choice. I would have told Bush and Odierno and the "boys" to kiss my ass. And then, I would have gone Trout Fishing...
I cannot agree that term limits are all that good for the nation. The institution of term limits on individuals seems to have fully exacerbated the powers of partisan politics. Without the individual ability to serve for lengthy periods (a decade or longer) government has only the parties longevity to set, drive or follow long-term visions, goals or ideals. A result of term limits is that our government has become more heavily victimized by the swaying winds within our major parties. Additionally, with constant turnover, elected folks have to rely more significantly on centralized party support as they have no chance to build a long standing legacy or reputation with a constituency, or gain assistance from established and respected career politicians who are maveriks.
I can't believe the someone is trying to blame the media and the lefties for the problems and errors made in the Iraq War. 43 and his revolving door associates have always run the war as they saw fit; resisting and back-handing many objectors and opinion givers.
Since 43's administration has blatantly stated numerous times that they don't care about public opinion, the idea that they have soft-pedaled this war in order to appease the American media seems quite preposterous.
I also cannot agree with the notion that current candidates have no conscience. Every campaign statement issuing forth reflects that these folks have significantly more conscience than the administration they will replace. Currently running candidates seem infinitely more conscientious than folks who have responded with an apathetic "So?" when discussing American distress over the loss of more than 4,000 soldiers and the military expenditure of hundreds of billions of dollars in a war against a country that never attacked us.
These folks, at least right now, seem to be all about conscience.
The entrenched bureaucrats have a political machine that controls everything? If you say so! I was aware that there seems to be a force behind government that influences all that is done but that would only have an increase with term limits. Think about it, the actual elected official would be come superfluous.
And you let Rumsfeld off far too easily. I am convinced that he and Cheney gave the rookie Bush a lot of bad advice and pushed him in the direction of the PNAC goals, whether he understood and liked it or not. I'll admit that Cheney probably is the principle puppet master here!
Obama is a Socialist and it would hurt Hillary to be his VP.
I would like to see a chanllenge by Hillary supporters at the Democratic convention and I have written my Congress people about this possibility. She would have had the nomination if the Democrats hadn't gotten mean about Florida and Michigan.
They won't count my vote as half a vote in November.
But Obama as a Socialist?
Nah, Obama's a Civilianist. His rhetoric fully portrays him as being a champion for government that actively serves the best interest of ALL the citizenry; issues such as health care that is both effective AND affordable, using carrots and sticks when negotiating, and only going to war against those that actually attacked us.
As for Hillary, my fingers are still crossed that Barack will choose her for his VP; as I've already stated. I think that would make the most powerful combination that the Democrats could come up with; short of using Al Gore.
Good for you for writing your congress folk. Citizens and civilians should be actively involved by communicating their thoughts. I give you a Standing Ovation !!
The Michigan and Florida mess certainly was a shame. I wonder how it would have been if the Republican dominated Florida and Michigan legislatures hadn't decided to move their state election dates.
Is Obama in favor of government ownership of GM, Microsoft, and all the other large corporations in the U.S. I missed that.
The more I hear about Kane as a running mate for Obama, the more I like him.
I don't know how anyone can say that McCain is anywhere near being a Democrat.
you fools never disappoint.
Yes! I would be proud to see him selected.
Senator Jim Webb has also been considered, but I don't want to take any chances on losing his seat in the Senate.
Governor Kaine was the first to endorse Obama, and I am very proud of that!
Obama held his first rally here in N. Va. after becoming the presumptive nominee,
and Kaine / Webb were both present.
There was electricity in the air!
I think Obama really likes Tim Kaine, and they would work very well together.
We are also looking to make Virginia all blue by having Mark Warner pick up the other Senate seat. He was well respected as a past Governor, and is leading in the polls.
Yes! The "Old Dominion" - - The Old Republican Guard - - is finally turning BLUE!
And I would be proud to have help in the effort of turning this country around!
Don't hold your breath waiting for McCain to leave the GOP. He needs them.