I have been puzzled to the point of complete befuddlement over everyone's love of Barack Obama. To me, it's a no-brainer. I'm shocked that Democrats support him and that he ever made it out of the primaries. I personally thought Hillary Clinton was a lock.
What intrigues me is that Barack is as far left as you can get without being Vladimir Putin. Now that I think about it, maybe he and Vlad were twins separated at birth. But, I digress.
I think that Americans, and I'm talking the "Dancing With The Stars" zombie Americans, have no clue what socialism is, why it's bad, and that Barack Obama is one. Let's face it. Do our public schools teach this? I started pondering when it was that I learned about socialism, and though I can't say for sure, I'm pretty convinced it wasn't until I became an adult and researched it for myself. Thanks to our government schools (there goes the government milling around where they don't belong and making a big mess as usual) we have at least one but maybe even two generations so far that are dumb as dirt. And, I say that with the utmost respect.
Are The Federalist Papers required reading in schools? Do schools teach the Constitution? Do schools even teach what the Constitution is? Do children learn to understand, appreciate, and value the sacrifices made for our freedoms?
I think by the 'Obama Mania' the answers must be no. And, would someone please explain to me why all of Hollywood has embraced this man? If he has his way (and he will because Congress will be his lap dog) those Hollywood millionaires will be pouring all of their millions into entitlement programs for 'those less fortunate'. I wouldn't think they would like that. Now granted, just because they reside in Hollywood doesn't make them smart, literate, thinking people. Quite the contrary if you ask me. But, all of them? None of them get it? The majority of Americans don't get it? When it's so obvious?
Here's what those who are ambiguous need to do. First read the Constitution. Then read The Federalist Papers. Then read The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek. Then listen to this...
Then come back and explain to me how Barack Obama is going to be a good thing for our country.
Oprah? Matt Damon? Colin Powell? Anyone?
9 comments:
Greetings Lady Why! I really enjoy reading you're blog and all the silly and serious things you contribute to the blogosphere, but I thought you might be interested to read some info about what you're saying here. I'm curious if you've ever spent time abroad because I feel you may have a slightly skewed view of what is left and right if your worldview is based on a small part of this earth. American democracy is very conservative--in a way that other western democracies are not.
Check out http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2008 . It is a pretty unbiased political website that shows where the candidates are on both the social and economic political scales. Obama is actually a moderate conservative as far as worldwide politics go.
I mean all of this in the most considerate way. Politics can get sticky, and it strikes me that much of this is somewhat personal to you. My most humble regards to you and your family!
-Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Thank you so much for the link! I will certainly check it out.
Politics is probably more personal to me than the "average" American just because I'm a bit of a political "hobbyist". I am always interested in candidates and their positions on the things that are important to me which leads me into all sorts of 'ins and outs' of the whole political 'scene'. I also LOVE history so I have a lot of time invested studying there.
But, one thing that I don't think I get across enough is that I don't have any 'angst' over the election (sad though it will be ;-) because I know the Lord is in control. I think my "rants" can come across as hand wringing and I probably need to do a nice post about my trust in the Lord.
Thanks for causing me to stop and ponder that tonight!
And, I'm sure Obama will come out rather 'moderate' amongst world political leaders considering Putin, Chavez, and Castro are on the scale! ;-)
Hi again Jenny,
I just came back from the website you gave me and it was loads of fun!! Thanks again for sending it on! I took the test to see where I fall on the political spectrum and I am pretty far right economically (big surprise, right?) but I'm just under the line leaning to Libertarian socially. Who knew?! I never considered myself Libertarian at all but I was mainly considering their views from a more economic perspective.
Also, I found my first love, Ron Paul, was right there with me though slightly above the Libertarian line socially.
Fascinating reading! Thanks again!
You didn't think you were a libertarian? I sure did.
Anyway.
I agree with Jenny, compared to here even, Obama is fairly conservative. He'd be a little right of the conservatives currently in power. You want Socialism check out the NDP.
Based on your standards I am pretty much a socialist. I feel that I am in good company. One of my favorite socialists was Tommy Douglas a Christian from Saskatchewan who was the father of Universal healthcare in Canada. He didn't do it to rob the wealthy of their money, but rather to help those who couldn't always help themselves.
I don't think that the sky is going to cave in on November 5th and I know you don't either, but do keep in mind that intelligent people (including your truly) have really thought it through and can see the benefits to sacrificing a little for the common good.
Even if that means we are in the same camp as Oprah (ugh)
Ok, you had me convinced until you brought up Oprah! Ha! (just kidding, of course!... now I know I'm going to get even more emails from Oprah lovers around the globe!)
I never considered myself libertarian because those that I know are what the website called left-libertarians who are 'live and let live' kinds of folks. I'm not for anarchy and I believe laws are good things (usually) so that's the perspective I had in the back of my mind. When I read the full scope of Libertarianism... personal responsibility, less is more in government, etc. I could see myself clearly. Even then I was just ever so slightly below that Libertarian line! ;-)
Our perspectives are largely formed by where we live, where we were raised and the things we were taught. Being a red, white and blue blooded American, I was always taught to believe in the principles our founding fathers put forth and to believe in the Constitution. Liberals like Obama and others believe the Constitution needs to be tossed (as he stated far more eloquently in the radio interview) and updated to fit his "socialist" agenda. He also believes in legislating from the bench which is in direct opposition to the Constitution. Activist judges are one of the most frightening things I see on the horizon of an Obama presidency. I hate to see our freedoms, which I think Americans enjoy more so than any other country, eroded to adopt a "global" philosophy/model that would make us more like other countries. Not that other countries aren't nice places to live. I'm sure they are.
We have a piano teacher that came here from Russia four years ago. During Russia's "elections" she was telling me that she loves Putin because they (her friends, family, etc.) would like to see the country returned to communism. The experiment in democracy hasn't worked out too well over there and the organized crime and such is rampant. She fled to America to escape it all. She sees the "value" of communism. How can you argue with that? She lived it so she ought to know! The stories she tells... Yikes!!
What is disturbing me the most, I guess, is that people like me are a dwindling breed. I didn't realize the extent to which that is true until now. Americans are embracing the "nanny state" ideals and wanting to expand government, tax us to death and legislate 'til the cows come home.
It makes me sad. But, not hopeless. It just won't be like it used to be... and I really liked how it used to be! :-) I'll just continue to 'cling to my guns and my religion' and Obama just won't like me very much. ;-)
The elections make me very passionate about these things but that doesn't mean I don't love you, Happygeek! Even if you do embrace universal healthcare! ;-) I just hope you can still love a Constitution loving, personal freedom loving, gun and religion clinging opinionated American!
This is the great thing about bloggin.
I get to meet all kinds of neat people that I amy not have run across in my socialist little life and I am better for it!
I think you hit the nail on the head though. I cannot see why y'all cling to your constitution written so many years ago by a bunch of aristocratic white guys. However, you grew up with a deep and abiding love for it and changing it grates at your very soul.
I get it.
YOu and I will stick with our Jesus but you can have all the guns:)
(Because that's another topic for another time!)
Hi Lady Why! I'm glad that you enjoyed that sight. I think it's loads of fun and somewhat eye opening. I've been reading a lot of T. Jefferson (the father of American liberalism) and J. Adams (the father of American conservatism) lately. It's been so fascinating learning more about the history of our politics.
I don't know what your musical style is, but I think you might like Derek Webb. He's a somewhat outspoken, Christian musician who sings about hypocrisy, poverty and politics along with other things. Check out derekwebb.com or noisetrade.com . The latter will allow you to download his latest album for free. You might know the name Caedmon's Call. He was one of the founders of that group.
This comment is becoming a book, but I wanted to thank you for being so generous in your responses. I told my husband about the string of comments and was so excited that fellow Christians can find that as our common ground and talk about politics without it blowing up like in so many other contexts.
Happy Tuesday!
-Jenny
Happygeek, you do get it! That's it exactly! It grates at my very soul to see the ideals the country was founded upon eroded by liberal politics! And, I'm becoming a minority which is equally grating.
You are absolutely right that when it comes down to it, as long as we have Jesus the rest is insignificant. Even Obama. I'm not sure he'd agree with that statement but that too is a post for another day. Ha!
Thanks Jenny! I don't know that singer but he sounds like my kind of guy! I'll check out the website.
I always hope I'm 'coming across' as gracious to those who may or may not agree with me on political issues (or any issues) as I really feel. I'm very used to being 'on the fringe' (homeschooling, vaccinating and a whole host of other cans of worms I like to open on a regular basis in "real life") and I'm used to getting along with people who disagree with me. If I didn't I'd have no friends! Ha!
I'm always afraid what I say on the blog combined with my dramatic (read: sarcastic) style may appear as hostile and that's never the case. Ok, rarely! ;-)
One more thing, Happygeek... we're happy to keep all the guns. Until Obama comes and prys them out of our fingers. That is a post for another day! Don't get me started on guns!! Ha! Ha!
Happygeek, you do get it! That's it exactly! It grates at my very soul to see the ideals the country was founded upon eroded by liberal politics! And, I'm becoming a minority which is equally grating.
You are absolutely right that when it comes down to it, as long as we have Jesus the rest is insignificant. Even Obama. I'm not sure he'd agree with that statement but that too is a post for another day. Ha!
Thanks Jenny! I don't know that singer but he sounds like my kind of guy! I'll check out the website.
I always hope I'm 'coming across' as gracious to those who may or may not agree with me on political issues (or any issues) as I really feel. I'm very used to being 'on the fringe' (homeschooling, vaccinating and a whole host of other cans of worms I like to open on a regular basis in "real life") and I'm used to getting along with people who disagree with me. If I didn't I'd have no friends! Ha!
I'm always afraid what I say on the blog combined with my dramatic (read: sarcastic) style may appear as hostile and that's never the case. Ok, rarely! ;-)
One more thing, Happygeek... we're happy to keep all the guns. Until Obama comes and prys them out of our fingers. That is a post for another day! Don't get me started on guns!! Ha! Ha!
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