I don't normally write extremely political blogs; I tend to write more about topics that influence politics, but not about the politics themselves. I do this mostly because I hate politics; I hate the way things are run, but don't have a clue how to change any of it. After all, there's not much use in complaining about something if you don't have a solution to offer.
But, after reading this opinion article from an Israeli newspaper, I got extremely disturbed. Obviously, the article is designed to show everything that's wrong with Palin, but moreso what's wrong with America. How we thrive on wealth and personal possessions, rather than what's good for both us and the environment. It occurred to me that as citizens, we don't individually have a whole lot of control about what goes on in our nation. Corporations and people with money have all the power. They can throw money at something they see as a problem, and the politicians will let it go away.
I've always hated how much public transportation here sucks. The best system I've personally seen is that in New York City, with the subway and bus system that enables you to get basically anywhere you need to go within the five boroughs. It might take you an hour an a half to go five miles across the city, but you can do something during that hour and a half, rather than trying to focus on the road. Denver and Atlanta are the second best systems I've seen, with public transit that extends throughout much of the city, though perhaps not as efficient.
But where I live, in Pueblo, Colorado, there's nothing. I have no choice but to drive 45 minutes to work and school, because I have to work in Colorado Springs, at least for the time being. And even when I get the chance to work down in Pueblo, because I live so far west, there's nothing I can do but drive in to work. No train to bring me into the city. Perhaps it's not entirely practical here, because we're so spread out, but it still annoys me that I waste so much time commuting because there is no public transit, and there may be some truth to the idea in the article that things are as they are because the car companies have lobbying groups that keep them in the forefront of everyone's mind.
And yet, the primary concern of most Americans, at least those who drive, is oil prices. And Palin, among other proposals, wants to start drilling oil in Alaska. That will provide a temporary respite from our oil consumption, for sure, but shouldn't we be focusing on other things, like reducing our dependence on oil entirely? But again come those car companies, because they don't want to lose any revenue. And then come those oil companies, who like to make those record profits quarter after quarter.
I want change. I really do. But no one I'm seeing is really giving me the option for change, no matter how idealistic they are. It seems to me that our voices are just being drowned out by people who want more money, whether it be the politicians getting money and gifts from the lobbyists, or the big companies wanting more money from us materialistic Americans. Money does talk, after all.
I certainly don't think that was an "extremely" political blog, I think it's about a political subject all of us "little people" can appreciate.
I think a lot of America's problems are societal, not political. Like you said, we are a materialistic people, who worship money. I like that Obama has instructed the Democratic Party to refuse money from political action committees and lobbyists. What we need is a president who will kick lobbyists out of Washington altogether.
Speaking of Washington, in my experience DC has the best public transit system- but maybe it's only a show for the millions of (international) tourists who flock there every year.
As my blogs tend to do, it went in a different direction than I was really intending it to, but it still made a point that I felt was important to stress.
You're right... a lot of our problems are societal. But it's hard to change the societal problems without changing the political problems, and visa versa. As much as I hate it, the two are very tightly twined.
That's not, of course, to say that I don't like it here in America. I love it. I've lived here my entire life and while I find other cultures and people fascinating, I really can't imagine living anywhere else. Maybe the UK.... But I have an extremely ideal vision for society, and though I know it'll never work out the way I hope it will, that doesn't mean I'll stop hoping for it.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!
I've never been extremely political either, but recent issues are getting me into this election. I've lived in South Florida for most of my life where pretty much everyone drives. I'm so used to it that I think that even if we had a greatly improved public transportation system, it would be hard for me to adjust to taking advantage of it.
As for oil and energy plans, Palin does support drilling in Alaska but the ticket is behind a plan they've dubbed the Lexington Project, which is an all of the above approach. To me, this sounds the most logical: drill at home to help wean us off our oil dependence but invest money into energy alternatives, including incentives for those big car companies to make more energy efficient, environmentally friendly cars.
I've learned that elections and politicians will probably never meet the public's very high standards. What are the odds that a single politician will match all of your stances and ideals? And so, it comes down to choosing the ticket that best reflects what you believe and trying not to be discouraged by what neither of them have to offer.
~ElegantFree~
I don't know much about Palin, but the idea of looking to ourselves for some relief sounds like a great idea to me as well.
Sadly it is very true that society and politics work off each other, it is a relationship that is probably nearly impossible to break with our form of government. But perhaps we should look not for one candidate to fit what we think, but rather pay attention to who they pick as their "team". Its too early to have a real idea of who would be in which cabinet but I wish we could know. Whether we vote for McCain or Obama we are also voting in those they chose for their chief of staffs, the people that will be policy makers for the next four years. Perhaps in the next election there could be some focus on this?
Cosmic I was glad to read what you put up about Obama telling the Democratic party to not accepted money from those sources. Money corrupts, its that simple, and personally for me the first thing that caught my eye about Obama was that his money was raised by millions of small donations.
Perhaps its time for those big companies, car, gas, power, all of the ones currently still making money in the failing economy to realize that once things worsen they will stop making money as well. If they could cut back on prices and work with the people, if the producers and the consumers could work together, I really think we could find a balance for our economy at least for a little while. Its time to remember that our actions and issues here at home effect the world too. And those big corporations should care about that.
I completely agree, especially with the stuff about oil. Politicians talk about domestic drilling like it's going to solve all our problems, when at best it's a band-aid solution that's only going to put off the inevitable crisis, not cure it.
I'm also very disheartened about the lack of public transportation. I live in Orlando, FL which would be considered a large city, and yet our public transportation is abysmal. The buses are basically there for people who can't do anything else, and even living on a college campus as I do, I can't use them. The stops are ridiculously far from anything useful and the buses come maybe once every hour. It's very frustrating to someone who doesn't want to be driving all over the place.
That's why I'm terrified that McCain/Palin is going to get in. They have no new ideas for governing this country, and we really really really need new ideas and some sort of change.
-------------------------
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
My PhotoBlog: http://takingpictures.wordpress.com
http://www.ghostsofcitesoleil.com/
Hello,
I'm sorry for being so cliched, however, I have to ask, are you a libra or a virgo?
it's just that you're so careful not to be precise.
you seem so afraid to think for yourself.
you have to check to make sure you won't hurt anyone before you say what you think. you have to test the waters. and if you find you might risk rejection by committing to something, you would rather risk your beliefs for the sake of acceptance. i really do feel very sorry for you.
perhaps i missed the mark completely? you really don't know what to think or believe because you are waiting for the final verdict from the majority before you will cast a vote?
Erm... how does that have anything to do with my blog? In what way am I not being precise, exactly? And please, for the love of god, do not pity me without bothering to get to know me.
I know what I think and I know what I believe. I may not always be vocal about my thoughts and beliefs, but that doesn't mean I am confused of what to think or am waiting for acceptance from anyone.
~C
Check out the latest entry in the Between The Lines column!
Want the highest rated list to change? RATE those blogs, then!