This is Nate.
I'M SO FREAKING SICK AND TIRED OF THIS POLITICAL SEASON. BEYOND SICK. BEYOND TIRED. BEYOND ANNOYED, BUGGED, WORN DOWN AND OUT; I'M JUST DONE WITH IT ALL.
**Those of you who are just about to jump down my throat for what I'm about to say can just stop right now. I've heard it all; Yes, I realize it's a blessing that I can vote at all, Yes I realize there have been countless lives given just for me to have a say in who leads this country, Yes I realize that things are really bad right now and that my voice might mean something in the whole scheme of things, Yes, I get it all. So save your breath for someone else, cause I'm tired of being told all that too.**
I probably won't vote.
There, see, I said it (ooh, and I know some of you are just dying to say something to inspire me to get out there and just choose someone. Nope, Probably not gonna do it. It's not cause I'm lazy, not cause I don't care(I actually do in fact,) not cause I have no opinion, not cause I haven't been educated (or done some research myself- which is much more valuable;) No, it's not for any of those reasons. My major reason for choosing not vote goes something like this:
I am registered as an Independent. I have been registered as an Independent since I first registered to vote for a reason. Neither the Democratic or Republican parties fit the combination of beliefs and stances that I support. I'd rather not vote for someone only because they are the lesser of 2 evils (funny- pun not intended but couldn't be more fitting in this case!) I feel that this election season carries a LOT of weight considering that roller coaster rise the country has been through in the past 12+ years (yes, that includes both the Bush terms, the Clinton years, and beyond.) And as such, I feel a little.... *disappointed*.... that the only 2 (let's face it, it's not like someone other that Obama or McCain has a realistic shot at winning this) people that have made it as close as they have are as poor a candidate as they both are. (I know this is gonna get many of you to just jump in again.....) Obama lacks experience. McCain lacks the change this country needs. Score: 0-0. Obama is gonna get a LOT of votes only because there are people out there who will vote racially. McCain will likewise receive a LOT of support from the good 'ol boys club for the exact same reason. Score 0-0. You go back and forth and the scores are still 0-0 in my opinion. (I'd like to go on but I think you get the idea; I'm not gonna go into specific issues.) I feel pretty strongly about some of the major issues affecting us all right now and neither of those men fit who/what I'd like to see in the White House cause they sure have a big mess to clean up and it sure isn't gonna be easy or fast. We're in for a long ride.
I really really do wish that negative tv ads were not allowed. I really really wish someone could come up with a better forum for candidates to express what they wish to do/accomplish/support/do for the country than what we have cause it's nothing but face to face mud slinging where both candidates won't fess up to the truth of their past so they can appear less left or right winged. I really really wish they would realize how much they shoot themselves in the foot when they don't give specifics on what they want to do, again, just to hide their past and appear less left or right. They've used red and blue to represent the democratic or republican states and all that either candidate wants is to make it look like they're a very appealing shade of PURPLE. How about telling everyone what you really think, admitting that it likely won't turn out that way although you'll still push for it, and acknowledge that it'll more than likely end up being a compromise since that's what's bound to happen with a bipartisan democracy.
I have a real hard time supporting one candidate over the other just because one sucks worse than the other. I think I'm left disappointed that this is the best we're left with when you consider that our political system is (arguably) the best of what's out there. Either the system has failed us or it's just a sign of the overall (bad) direction the country has degraded to or a combination of both.
I care.
But I don't care to vote for an individual I don't support.
I love this country and consider it a blessing to have been born here.
I do feel obligated to vote but also feel obligated to not waste my vote.
I care; perhaps too much.
11 comments:
A-FREAKIN-MEN nate. I go right along with you. I am so tired of hearing the smash ads about obama-yo-mama, and old fart mccain, they drive me frickin nuts, the only thing that is remotely interesting is that mccain has been through war, and experienced the rough side of it. yadda yadda. Dear lord I dont even want to turn on my tv anymore, I hate hearing about dina titus, and john porter. The worst thing is hearing dina titus' voice, could that dang woman be more annoying? Who cares about obama waking up at 430 in the morning to study, and who cares that john mccain has 8 houses. God I can't wait for it to be over. I too am registered to vote, and im not sure if i am going to or not, these political turds have bashed each other so much and the media made such a big deal about it that they might ruin it for me.
There. im done. i feel better now.
Want to come over for an elk bbq one weekend before it gets too cold?
Total ditto from me as well. Great job illustrating your point!!
So I see I am not alone in giving you a big AMEN!! I lean more towards the Republican party usually, but I do not like Mccain, and I really don't like Obama either. It is for sure a lose-lose situation!
I hear where you are coming from and I do relate. However, I think that you'll NEVER vote, because there are too many issues, and they are way too complex, to ever find a SINGLE candidate that will be a clone of your ideas and position on the issues that matter. I think what you feel is what most of us feel. I just try to vote for the person that comes CLOSEST to what I feel. And, if you don't want to vote for president, I think the local elections, judges and congressperson are very important, too. The "system" isn't perfect, but it's what we've got.
I say this with the greatest amount of love a big sister can give her younger brother, "GET OVER YOURSELF!" and make a list. Take the issues that matter to you and your family, do some research to decide which one out-does the other on "your" issues, pick one of the two AND VOTE. Because, frankly, not voting is ignorant ESPECIALLY when you'd also miss voting for a lot of other local offices that WILL affect you. Not voting gives you NO ground to complain or commend or pretty much have any opinion in the future. You gotta pick. Don't be a wussy. Again, said with all the love!
Nate,
This is Jon.
Last spring I was exactly where you are. I do not like the Republican, Democrat, or even the Libertarian or Constitution Parties. The reason I decided to vote was the Supreme Court decision in DC v Heller. Recently I have become a one issue voter. This is not always a respected mentality, but just as your Mother says to pick what is important to you, I have decided that the only issue important to me is the right to defend myself and my family. Although I have many other principles and beliefs, this is my one issue because a politician who does not support the second amendment is a politician who: does not trust me; wants to empower themselves to take care of me; and wants to make me reliant on the government for my basic needs.
In June, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, verified the right of an individual to own a gun for self defense. This is stated so clearly in the constitution; it is a travesty that it was not a 9-0 decision. The next president will have the opportunity to appoint maybe 2 or 3 new justices, who can then either defend the constitution and the rights of the American people, or defend their own personal persuasions for the next 40 years or so.
Beyond stating that he will appoint justices like the dissenters in DC v Heller, Obama has worked hard in Illinois and the US Senate to undermine and defeat our God given right to self protection. Consider that virtually all multiple victim public shootings occur in “gun free zones” (aka victim disarmament zones, gun free killing zones). In England, self defense is practically illegal and you will be arrested if you defend yourself or someone else. In Australia, crime increased after personal gun ownership was banned. In every state in our country that has passed right to carry laws, crime has subsequently decreased or remained the same. DC's murder rate has increased continually since the handgun ban was implemented 30 years ago, while the murder rate in the U.S. has decreased.
I am not happy with either candidate, so I am getting involved with local politics to change the crop of future presidential candidates. They all came from somewhere; let's stop them before they get too far.
For me, I feel a responsibility to Jennifer, Dallin, and Elise to vote.
If anyone has any comments for me or would like to discuss this further I invite you to email me at seejon@gmail.com
Jon Seeley
Ummmm, I'm pretty much at a loss for words. Whatever. Talk to me after November 4th. And unless you vote on that Tuesday, don't tell me what you did that day. Just remember that you're now a government employee--your family's livelihood, your salary, your retirement, your healthcare can sometimes be affected by questions posed to the public in these elections. You also have a child that will be entering the public school system in the next few years. You are also a homeowner now, which means the taxes you pay are a whole different ball game. So there ARE a few issues specific to you and your family that you might want to have a say in ('cause you MIGHT have a strong opinion about them later, even if you don't now). I really don't care who you vote for (if you did vote). I totally get it that you're not thrilled with either candidate running for president (none of us are). But that is just ONE question on the ballot. ONE. There are always going to be others. And one more thing....I LOVE YOU.:-)
I don't know if you got my email. This page wouldn't let me finish my comment.
I'm completely with you. I don't like either candidate. Both candidates are making promises that they won't keep (as in every election). I don't suffer from voter apathy, I know my vote counts. I've done my research too. And I STILL don't know which one I'm voting for. I actually wasn't going to vote, but if I want to complain later, I guess that means I HAVE to vote. Pretty stupid reason, but I guess that's the rule.
I hate it when people say "You need to go out and vote no matter what". There are people out there who have NO IDEA WHO AND WHAT THEY ARE VOTING FOR they just think they are doing the right thing by voting. I don't think everyone should have the right. I think you should have to pass some sort of test. Seriously, have you heard what some ignorant voters are saying?!? Even if you inny-minny-miney-moe at the booth it's all good. Just vote. haha
Either way, whoever is elected will be hated. That's just the way it is.
Hey Nate better late than never right. Ok so of course I have a bunch i would like to say. But I usually sensor myself (especially on your sisters blogs). So I decided I am gonna go ahead and let her rip!!
First off do not fall for your moms BS she is using a vulcan mind trick or some kinda voodoo on you and by saying NEVER voting she thinks you will vote!!
Second tell Sarah to shove it up her over opinionated bum. (I love her over opinionated bum and like discussing most everything with her)
Third Jon- scares me!! I love that he is deciding to vote against Obama cause of Gun control. It scares me even more that he is probably one of the many people who are getting there information from propaganda emails. Hey Douche here is some info for you straight from Obama's site. Perhaps you should read it http://obama.3cdn.net/7d467fe75a3029d7df_hum6injwr.pdf
Now in case you can not read which is probably the only reason I would think that would justify such a lame response, Then let me know and i will read the whole thing and send it on CD to you.
fourth Erin Scares me too
fifth you cousin Jerolyn scares me too cause her pumpkin rocks!!
and last but certainly not least dude do what you want! That is your right as a Citizen of the USA (same as my right to call Jon a douche even if he is not)
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