Vote for Whom? Its Monday, February 4, 2008 and we shouldn't be here updating, but online doing our
rush-cram-for-an-exam homework.
Now that John Edwards is out of the race, wellllll, each day is a struggle and we are clueless as to who we
should vote for in the caucus. Yes, we have heard what Chris Rock had to say about those of us who
are undecided between Clinton and Obama, but this is tricky. We have our reasons for favoring one over
the other, but the pros and cons and decisions are mixed; they go hand in hand and yet, we are still
undecided. Honestly, we don’t believe a Black man will ever be president in our lifetime, alternatively, I doubt
that a woman would ever be president [in my lifetime.]
Since the mid to late 80’s, I have always watched the presidential debates and made my predictions on who
might win. All the years I have predicted this and/or that, I was always right. Well lets see, this started back
when I was in junior high school. I would be up in my room getting dressed for school while my father sat in
the living room watching the local news. As the morning would progress, I would know he had switched the
channel as I would later hear the tune to Good Morning America. Joan Lunden and David Hartman could be
heard as they reported about money, world trading, politics, blah blah blah. Back then, I don’t believe I was
truly interested in the news let alone politics. Back then, all I knew was that my father worked three and
sometimes four jobs at once to keep food on the table, a roof over our heads and clothes on our backs.
(Yes, we had the necessities of water and electricity as well.) Back then the thought of who would be
president did not take precedence over how my white but turned light skin Black Barbie would style her hair.
(Most likely cut and styled in a short Afro.) Back then, “power to the people” meant something. Back then,
the old adage, “When you’re white you’re right and when you’re Black, you stay back”, meant that Blacks
didn’t have a chance at anything let alone president of these United States. Back then, it was hard to find a
Black running for anything, but was mostly likely, running from. But, that was then and this is now.
Back then, $150 billion, Neil Bush and S&L were a huge issue. But today, there is no mention of... Neil
who?
When my high school years approached, I would hear news, news and more news coming from the living
room, and each time, my father would be sitting there with an intense look on his face. I recall one morning
when I came downstairs for school, I heard George Bush say, “Read my lips: No new taxes.” I looked at my
father, but this time, his facial expression was different. In fact, it was calm.
“Will the people actually believe him.” I asked genuinely.
My father turned to look and me and without hesitation he answered, “Yes. Yes they will as the people will
believe anything they want to believe without remembering the past.”
Back then, I didn’t know what to think of my father’s answer as again, although I was a teenager in high
school, my Barbie dolls superceded any political talk. Over the years, I noticed my father’s intensity change.
He was at one time an agitated person who sat in his big chair gripping the TV remote, but that was no
more. Now, he had changed to a calmer person who often uttered, “Well, that’s just how it is.” And after
this realization, he would turn off the television and seek something more zestful. Back then I couldn’t
appreciate those words, but only maturity will teach me what they meant.
Over the next few years, my parents would teach the importance of voting and the day I turned 18, both of
my parents took me to register.
We supported John Edwards, but what now?
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In the 80’s when Jesse Jackson ran for president, I knew he would not be elected. Why? Because not enough
Blacks were registered and the Nation wasn’t ready. Why was it that not enough Blacks were registered? Well,
I don’t know, but I can only guess that not enough of them had the privilege to be taught its importance. Why?
I don’t know, but I could guess, but I won’t [at this time.]
In 1984, when Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro were on the same ticket and again, I knew they wouldn’t
win. Why? Because the Nation wasn’t ready. In 1988, Al Sharpton threw his hat in as a candidate, but back
then I couldn’t have guessed the outcome as I hadn’t a clue as to who he was. In 1992 and 94, I watched
Sharpton, and although politics was my main focus during that time, I was certain of two things. 1) Mr.
Sharpton paid close attention to the issues and remained focus on them and 2) Mr. Sharpton didn’t have a
chance. Why? Because 1) The Nation wasn’t ready 2) Some people wouldn’t forget his past and most notably
the controversy with Tawana Brawley and 3) Some people can not focus on what is important. I must revert to
my father’s infamous words, “Well, that’s just how it is.”
Hillary Clinton, wife of former president Bill Clinton. Hmmm, I must admit that Slick Willie made socialized
capitalism very conformable for people like me. He was just not the regular ol politician who practiced self-
government, but he had our Nation focused on reducing debt by cutting billions of dollars of government
funding. Yes, he had lied about the affair he had with Monica Lewinsky, but under his regime, more Countries
were at peace with the US than any other US president was. Yes he was wrong, but well, most if not all Dems
and even perhaps most people in high positions play those games. I don’t care New Democratic Party or Old,
Left-Left Right-wing or Right-Right Left wing, as my father would have said, “That’s just how it is.” In addition, I
remain deviously unknown to the meaning of the word “centrist.”
It doesn’t matter to me what type of politics Bill Clinton practiced, I do know that he did not vacate his seat with a
huge deficit, but instead a surplus of $559 billion dollars. I’m almost always surprised when there is money left
over and was shocked with the passing of the FMLA. On the other hand, I have not forgotten his healthcare
reform and Hillary pissing off the American Medical Association. Well, so that’s all I know about Mr. Clinton, but
what do I know about his wife? Absolutely nothing. I know she cried and that meant nothing. Oh but, Hillary
said yes to the invasion on Iraq, and then said she did not and then ultimately said she was tricked! But wait a
darn minute! I’m not a politician or in any governmental position, nor do I have ANY secret US plans in my
home. In fact, I’m just the average everyday Joe/Jane and if I KNEW that it was a bunch of horse crap, then
she should have known as well. There's just no excuse.
What do I know about Barack Obama? Absolutely nothing. Well, I know that he didn’t approve the invasion,
but did continue to approve its funding.
I don’t know as much as I use to about politics and I know even less about the candidates.
I know I SHOULD know and had this been a different time in my life, I might would have, but
I don’t do politics any more. After Bush was selected the second time, I had had it with
politics. Yes, I continue to vote and speak out, but right before Katrina, I was this close in
being admitted to the Aurora Mental Health Center. You see, I was watching just too much
[propaganda] politics from the time I woke up until the time I went to bed! I was in serious
mental trouble, so I had to stop! I was getting on everyone’s nerves including my own, so I
didn’t just take in light tidbits, but I stopped cold turkey. I had to! Unfortunately though,
when my brother-thru-the-law called and asked me a few political questions, I didn’t have a
clue as I had ceased my self-inflicted mental behavior. (I had been tuning into the latest
sitcoms or listening to the radio.) Seriously, I couldn’t take the lies and deceit any longer. It
made me so sick, that although I do not condone assassinations, I could almost understand
J.H., V.A. and 04/13/93.
After John Edwards threw in the towel, Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich would
have been my next choice, but the media wouldn't allow them to be heard. And
John McCain and Mitt Romney are definite no no's so, please, what do I do? In the
voice of Colonel Clink, I know nothinggggggg!
I have read and listened to Clinton and Obama’s healthcare plans, foreign policies,
the syndrome of the little guy versus /big corporations, and well, I’m still un-
decidedly unimpressed.
I suppose if I vote for one, I’ll be voting for the other – a selection of the two
lessors. I feel so let down, geesh!