Decision 2008
I think a caution needs to be issued before I attempt to write this latest post. Emotions run high as the election has come to a close, some cheer and others jeer. Whatever you're feeling it's tough not to get to sensitive about it, especially when others don't see it the same way you do. So I'm telling the handful of people that actually read this, that I hope that even if you don't feel the same way, you just take it for what's worth...MY opinion. So bare with me while my words will most likely will fail me as I try to explain what what I've seen in the political arena throughout these last few months.
I'll be honest, I don't like to invite the idea of American politics into my head very much, it just causes my head to throb and causes my vision to go blurry. So I try to stay neutral much of the time. I am Switzerland. Just slap on a pair of skis and point me to the Alps, I'll be the one waving the white flag as I ride the chair lift up and weave through the Alpine trees down the slope. Because when it came down to it during this election, neither candidate struck a strong chord with me. I could see the appeal in this candidate and why someone would vote for the other. But in the end they both rubbed me the wrong way (I guess is the only way I can say it). For those of you who felt strongly on the red or the blue side of the political color spectrum, I don't write this to belittle your choice, I'm envious of it in fact. I wish I had that kind of faith in them as a candidate for President. A person worthy enough of running this country. Because let's face it, not many people I know would be willing to take on that title without feeling a little ounce of pressure.
I voted for the Republican. I chose the old guy with the creepy smile and the woman who can see Russia from her house. I chose the elephant over the donkey. I picked the color red over the color blue. I chose the conservative side over the liberal one. It's funny how that decision bothers people. My choice to go with what I believe bothers America. My own set of values and morals bothers people. But the fact of the matter is
57 million Americans voted for the Conservative Red Elephant. Yet the popular consensus of a liberal America believes those people can't think for themselves, like somehow the liberals have the curve on the thinking arena. It's been said.
Are their reasons or my reasons wrong? The diplomatic answer would be, "No, of course not!" It's a free country, right? We can choose the candidate that best suits our beliefs and values. And people can respect that choice. But let's face it, diplomacy around an election year isn't America's strongest attribute. It's an us vs. them mentality. We try to sway people to see things in "their" candidate by flinging dirt onto the opposite side and hoping to see if that side will return with something as equally muddy or worse. But the mud slinging doesn't always stay within the political arena, it often is overthrown into general population's face. This is where the voters gladly join in to attack other voters. It's how politicians play the game, so it's only natural that the voters join in on the fun as well. So where do we start? I know, let's call this voter someone who can't think for themselves. Then the other side will respond with calling this voter a socialist. Mud in face. You are voting for 8 more years of the same inefficient Bush policy by choosing this candidate. Or you are voting for a man who is friends with terrorists.
The air of the political arena becomes so thick with the mud slinging from the candidates and the voters alike, it's really easy for me to contemplate not voting at all. Because if this is what voting gets me, people telling me I'm wrong for what I believe and won't accept it any other way, then yeah, I could go that way or move to Switzerland. You don't have to understand or believe the reasons I voted for a particular candidate, all ask is that you at least grant me the respect that I did indeed vote. And I made that particular decision based on what each candidate stood for and how their stances on particular issues aligned with my beliefs and values. And if you can grant me that, I will do the same for you. No mud here.
Will our political differences really stand united in the end when it matters? Will all that change and hope that was promised be fulfilled? Only time will tell, if a legacy will be born. In the eyes of the 65 million Liberal Donkeys, hope has been restored to America. But in the eyes of the 57 million Conservative Elephants, much more is needed to prove to them, that this wasn't won simply because they flung their mud much harder and had more hands to fling it.
The world is watching...
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