Talking Politics
I voted, so I get to talk. Actually, I thought it was cool that my home state got on the news. Montana was one of the states the democrats were fighting for the senate with.
Truth be told, I’m much more conservative than most people realize. I think a health care system styled like the ones in Canada and the UK, is not right for the US. Mostly this stems to my father who has had five open-heart surgeries. If we had in place a system like Clinton had wanted in, he’d be dead. I’m not a huge fan of non-profits, and I think our welfare system hurts more people than it helps. Mostly, I’m not a fan of the Federal government having too much power over the states, they open the door wide for people to take advantage of the system. Keeping it local allows for more control over that kind of thing.
And stem-cell research, gay/lesbian marriage, and pro-life matters shouldn’t be associated with either party because those are hot issues that everyone has a different, personal view about regardless of which party they vote for.
So, because most people don’t know what I think politically (until they get to know me and I trust them) most assume I’m a democrat. I’ve voted for democrats before, but I’m mostly republican. I keep my mouth shut, though. Why? Because most conversations end up like this:
Them - “We will not be silent!”
Me – “uh, yeah”
Them – “Bush is an uneducated ass”
Me – take a sip of wine to avoid answering
Them – “Stem cells are going to cure cancer”
Me – “You’re not a scientist are you?”
Them – “No, but Bush’s an ass”
Me – “Oookay”
Why should I bother with my point of view? They won’t listen. They don’t care that I have just as much right to an opinion as they do. I have some great debates with my close friends whose views often clash with mine. My friends listen to me, and I to them. We respect one another, those people I’m lumping together above don’t respect any clashing opinions.
Take home message, when you meet someone, keep your politics politely tucked away until you get to know them.
I hope for the best with the new congress. Truthfully? I don’t think it matters which party is in power, they all manage to ignore the middle class anyway.
posted by ldbug at Tuesday, November 14, 2006
8 Comments:
I am not completely sure any of the parties are actually running the country anyway. I would bet my money on big business being the consumate powers here.
politics is the show that lulls us into believing we have a choice.
and i usually keep mymouth closed too. my opinions seem to be quite alien.
Yeah, you're probably right!!
I'm sure you're not that alien!!
I just seem to find myself in situations all the time that are oh, say, fund-raisers for something I'm not into! How? you ask? Well, I go to an art show that turns out to be something else, I go to a concert that supports something...arg, I just want to see some paintings and hear some music!
Bug, I couldn't agree more! Nuff said.
Thanks tidy! Good to see you in the blog world, we miss you:-)
I suspect our politics are quite similar though I may lean a bit more to the left. Think you are correct that D or R in control will make little real difference.
Definately don't agree with you about socialised medical care, and suspect you've not seen the whole picture. My father (Canadian), also had a heart attack and various surgeries. He was treated by some of the best specialists on the continent, because of the criticality of his illness at no time did he encounter any delays, and he was in some of the best medical facilities I've seen. All this at no cost for treatment or medicine.
Canada, per capita, spends significantly less than the US, yet treatment is provided across the board. Resources are, by definition, limited, and particularly if the illness is not life threatening, delays can happen (though not always).
Though I'm a firm free marketer by nature, there are areas of life, like health and education, where I do believe the state has a role.
Sorry, ranting a bit. I'll get off the soapbox now...
Oh, you're fine, Boy, most people don't agree with me there. The thing is, the system they wanted here was different. It cut the country into sections and you could only go to the Doctors in your section. Turns out the best doctor was the butcher my dad had been too. I'm not exaturating either, it was BAAAAAAD. Because that socialized health care failed, my dad was able to go to St. Louis where they discovered what a screw up had been made. They didn't realize my dad was that bad off, either, until he went to the other doctor. We knew he was bad, but the doctor in Missoula refused to admit it, and had all the surgeons in our area convinced it was only an infection, not that the valves were all screwed up.
I'm not saying our heath care system is perfect. Right now if you're below poverty, heath care is free through blue cross blue sheild. If you're above poverty you're screwed. I don't have health care because I can't afford it. I'm in a bracket that supposidly makes enough to have our own health care (which is not true). I'm not poverty, but I'm low middle class. Since I don't have kids, though, and I'm not married, I fall through the system there. (now I'm on a soapbox;-)
Thanks for your rant, though, I really love hearing other people's opinions, it's only when they don't give intelligent arguments and don't listen to my side too that I don't like!!
Oh, God, my spelling is horrible! Uh, 'exaggerating' I have no idea what I was spelling up there!! :-)
"Truthfully? I don’t think it matters which party is in power, they all manage to ignore the middle class anyway."
Boo...ya.... You hit the nail on the head.
Steve~
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