Tag Archive for: Politics

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Ideology and Interests

I was watching an old George Carlin comedy special on HBO Comedy tonight and I began thinking about someone I used to work with when I worked at Domino’s in high school and college. I worked with this guy for about 5 years and got to know him really well. One thing that we both had in common is that we were both huge George Carlin fans. This always surprised me because he was a bit conservative and typically voted for Republicans. If you have never seen George Carlin do stand up or read one of his books, he is a really liberal guy. He hates government (Republicans and Democrats), he hates the Right Wing, hates religion, and is all about the freedoms that make this country great. Maybe it’s just me, but in order for me to like something, I have to relate to it. Could my friend have related to it even though Mr. Carlin makes fun of the very things that my friend believes in?

I once knew a guy who was the same way with music. He listened to a lot of hip hop and one of his favorite rock bands was Rage Against the Machine. They were a really liberal band, some might even say socialistic, yet this guy loved them. Sure, you can enjoy the sound, but if you don’t enjoy the lyrics, how could you enjoy the music as a whole? I know I don’t listen to music who’s lyrics I’m not particularly fond of. One might, and rightfully so, argue about the lyrics in hip hop and if you listen to it, you’re supporting the content. There’s no argument for me there. Yes, there are songs I’ve enjoyed that have lyrics I might not necessarily agree with. Heck, my favorite rapper is 2pac and I know he’s had songs I don’t agree with on content, but he’s also had songs in which I can fully stand behind the content. Typically, if I don’t relate to the music in any way, or don’t like the message in the music, I’m not going to listen to it.

So I guess my question is, what makes people enjoy things that usually go against their ideologies? Why does my conservative friend like Mr. Carlin when Mr. Carlin stands up (pun intended) against everything that most conservatives value? There’s no simple answer to this. Just a thought I had while watching the very funny Mr. Carlin.

Obama Keeps Winning

Last night we saw Barack Obama win his 9th and 10th consecutive victories in the race to become the Democratic candidate for President. Hawaii and Wisconsin both chose Mr. Obama over Hillary Clinton. These are no long insignificant victories, as Mrs. Clinton’s campaign was saying after Mr. Obama’s South Carolina win. She’s got some serious fighting to do if she wants to stay in, but I think she should drop out and not rely on the Super Delegates, who do not have to vote the way people want, in order to win the Democratic nomination. Leslie Sanchez, a Republican strategist, stated on CNN

I think there’s probably the biggest underreported story: She’s (Hillary Clinton) had nine significant losses. If it were reversed and Barack Obama had those losses, we’d be saying he’s an irrelevant candidate. I mean that’s the biggest story. She had all the toys in the sandbox — the money, the consultants and every type of Democratic establishment behind her — and she still fails to win.

Very well put. Do we (the Democrats) really want someone who has all the “toys” and still can’t win? That doesn’t look good if she has to go up against John McCain in the fall.

Why I Will Not Vote if Clinton Wins

If Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic Party’s nomination without winning the popular vote, I will not vote in the Presidential election. People who know me know that I’m deeply interested in politics and think that voting is one of the most important things you can do, but I will not vote for someone who is put in place by a few elite party members when the majority of the party votes for someone else (Obama).

Hillary Clinton will take the Democratic nomination even if she does not win the popular vote, but persuades enough superdelegates to vote for her at the convention, her campaign advisers say.

The New York senator, who lost three primaries Tuesday night, now lags slightly behind her rival, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, in the delegate count. She is even further behind in “pledged” delegates, those assigned by virtue of primaries and caucuses.

So, she’s saying that even though the majority of the people don’t want her to be the nomination, she’s going to stay in it anyway. That is certainly not democratic.

You may ask why I don’t vote for McCain then. That’s simple, while I respect McCain, I think he would be a terrible president and I think he would continue bad policies that have led this country in the wrong direction under Bush. So, if Hillary steals the Democratic nomination, I will not vote. I will watch her lose against McCain. She’s too divisive of a person to beat McCain. I’m in her party and I don’t like her (though, I was a fan of Bill). When McCain wins, the country will be in even more trouble. All because of Hillary.

Some Change for Change

Today is Lincoln’s birthday. In celebration of today, what not donate a little change for someone who can bring about real change? I am, of course, talking about Barack Obama. Throw him a couple Lincolns (a $5 bill and a penny for $5.01, or multiples thereof) and help take back the White House. Please, donate now!

Yes We Can

We all know tomorrow is Super Tuesday. No matter who you vote for, get out to the polls and vote! No matter what you think, your vote does matter. If you aren’t happy with the way things are, you need to do something about it and the best way is to make your voice heard. Go to the polls, fill out your ballot, make a difference. I think everyone knows who I’m voting for. If not, then check out this video and you’ll get some idea. Vote!