Thursday, October 2, 2008

Some Reasons People Will Vote For McCain/Palin

Racists give rednecks a bad name. I don’t want to be one. A racist, that is. I used to want to be a redneck. Now I’m not so sure. For a while, being one was in style, i.e. Gretchen Wilson’s song, “Redneck Woman,” television shows like, “My Name is Earl,” the success of “Get R Done” and all its branded merchandise, and musical groups like, “The Trailer Choir” who make it look like there’s nothing better than playing fiddles and washboards and perhaps, pork rind eatin’, on the porch of a dilapidated but nonetheless charming doublewide. There are even books about redneck cooking called things like, “Mama’s Sunday Fixin’s” and “Recipes from the South Guaranteed to Blow Your Veins Out.” I thought, hey, I want to be a redneck! This redneck thing sounds like fun! I bought camouflage sweatpants, a T-shirt that says, “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” and learned how to grow sweet potatoes, drive the tractor and get another month out of my rubber boots by lining them with plastic Wal-Mart bags when they spring a leak.

Then this presidential election happened and I learned, due to all the rabid rednecks in my circle who practically rip my head off whenever I try to get a word in edgewise about Obama, that I might want to think twice. Do I really want to associate myself with folks who don’t care that McCain and Palin are liars?—in fact, who won’t even read the facts by neutral parties (like independent groups such as the Tax Policy Center that concluded four out of five U.S. households would receive tax cuts under Obama’s proposal), as long as Palin has her lipstick on and her gun in her hand? (Overhead at the livestock market, two guys gushing, one in bib overalls, the other chewing a corn cob pipe, no shit, “She’s a member of the NRA,” and “Palin’s hot!”) Are they for real?

Hotness aside. Even political party affiliation aside. Why in the world would somebody vote for these two? It doesn’t make any sense. Can people be this dumb to make the same mistake for the third time? One’s a war mongering old man with a chip on his shoulder and a bad temper who keeps pointing to his record, a record of voting with the Bush administration ninety percent of the time. He’s the reason the country is in the mess it’s in! The other, who is against sex education, abortion rights even if a girl has been raped by her father, believes the birth control pill is abortion, believes God wants the war in Iraq, believes Jews and gays can be converted but doesn’t believe in evolution, stem cell research or the existence of global warming, tried to ban books, took a citizen’s land by eminent domain, is under investigation for firing her public safety director because he wouldn’t fire a state trooper who had a messy divorce from her sister, has in fact hired lobbyists and got more money per person from the federal government for pork projects than any other state in the union, and whose husband was, until the year Palin decided to run for office, pretty convenient, a member of the Secessionist party (Alaska wanted to break away from America. Ha! And they have the nerve to accuse Obama of not being patriotic because he didn’t wear a pin?) Oh shoot! As she herself might giggle. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that I think she’s a bad joke at best and dangerous at worst.

So why would anyone with half a brain vote for these two? Admittedly, religious fanatics who want to force their beliefs on everyone else are one of the reasons. They see Palin as their ticket to boss everyone around. What’s the difference between a religious freak like Palin who believes she’s on a mission from God and the Islamic extremists who blew up the twin towers because they believed they were also on a mission from God? Nothing. There is no difference. They both think they’re right and would go to war for it. A radical is a radical. But these are not their only supporters.

This is what my friend said, who is an animal activist and who runs a Yahoo group for horse rescues, when I e-mailed her some information about Palin killing animals. You know, the part about how she runs down wolves from a helicopter until they are too tired to run anymore and then she shoots them. About how she also offers $150 for anyone who brings her the foreleg of a wolf. The reason for this is so that the numbers of the wolves’ prey increase so there are more polar bears and moose or whatever it is they kill out there, for the hunters to get. Don’t need any competition from the newly off-the-endangered-list wolves. Sounds like cheating to me. Or at the least, taking unfair advantage due to having the power. Kind of like firing people because they don’t read the same kind of books you do or they used to be married to your sister and you’re mayor or governor—and you can.

At any rate, it’s cruel and I thought my friend was going to jump all over it, being the animal lover she claims to be. Instead, she e-mailed back, “Yeah, but the only alternative is a black man who hates America.”

Holy cow. I guess racism hasn’t gone the way of cheap gas after all.

That same week, my husband mentioned to one of the guys who hunt on the land next door that he’s going to vote for Obama and the reasons why. The guy said, “Yeah, I know, I know,” nodding. “But I don’t know if I can vote for a coon.” Whoa! What is this, 1960?!

Then my daughter came home from school and reported that a little girl in her school, 12-years-old, has a picture of Obama on her pink cell phone morphing into a monkey. And the children’s principal is a black woman! A lovely lady. What are these kids’ parents teaching them? I had to tell my daughter, who is innocent of this kind of hatred, exactly what it meant. It made me sad to have to tell her such things. Especially since the hatred is coming from the people around us, what appear to be God-loving, wholesome farm families who don’t think twice about bringing you some soup or a cake if you’re down in the dumps or helping you out if your tractor’s broke or your horses are loose. They’re nice people. It’s contradictory.

Listen. I admit I have some racist tendencies. I’ve been fighting being a racist my whole life. I grew up in Jersey City in the sixties with a father I affectionately describe as an Archie Bunker type. The riots were going on and we kids were warned not to walk down certain streets or you’d “get jumped by the coloreds.” But this is 2008. I’ve gotten educated. I’ve been ashamed because it’s not right. I’m fighting any leftover ignorant thinking I have left. It’s still there. I know. Like how I still bite my nails when I’m under stress and not paying attention. Or a cancer that’s deep inside that nobody knows about. But I’m fighting it. And I won’t follow any crowd that’s an advocate of it. Even if I want to be a redneck so bad that I’ll put plastic Wal-Mart bags inside my boots.

Check out "Southside VA Rural Rednecks fer Obama"

40 comments:

LatigoLiz said...

I am with you on so many levels. It’s truly scary. I haven’t been this worried about a presidential election since the 80s when the threat of a nuclear war was imminent. And I couldn’t even vote yet back then. Now I can, and WILL!

Sloan said...

I don't know why anyone would vote for them either Debi!! But I don't think they will even admit to themselves the real reason why.

dsbowers said...

Obama's gonna have the largest margin of victory in decades.

CountryDew said...

I ran into the racism thing last night at a football game. It always shocks me even though it shouldn't.

Sweetflutterbys3 said...

I am sorry to say, but it's not just the "rednecks" that are still racist. It's still very much here in the north too. I can't say how many times I have been put in the uncomfortable position of being in the middle of a conversation, and the nasty comments about "the coloreds" and "the blacks" start up. And these are young and middle aged men and women who expect you to jump right in and agree. I was raised in the south and I certainly don't feel that way nor would I ever agree with anything they say. Neighborhoods here are segregated and my kids go to school with only a handful of African-American children. Prejudice pretty strong here but they still vote democrat no matter who is on the ticket. Go figure on that one :)

Trailboss said...

In Western Ky where I live there is so much prejudice it is horrible. I have always refused to listen to any type of rasist remarks, jokes or anything. I will either leave the room and/or tell the person off, usually the latter.

I know who I am voting for and I think the two men are fine and decent people that love America. Period.

Anonymous said...

I've been reading your blog for a while now and this post is one of my favorites because of your honesty, including admitting your own racist tendencies. I must applaud.

And I agree, I don't know how anyone who has really studied the issues could possibly vote for McCain. I don't believe they have. Like you said there are other factors at play here such as racism and pushy religious freaks. I'm Jewish, Sarah Palin doesn't speak for me. She would like to turn me over!

You know who I am voting for. Barack Obama.

Ms. Shypoke said...

The Tax Policy center is supported by the Brookings institute which is known to have a left leaning bias.. so not 100% independant in my eyes. My biggest gripe with Obama is that he truly feels it is ok redistribute income and wealth. Taking money away from those who have earned it and giving it to those that don't. Taxing "windfall" profits sounds really great until you realize you are giving the government the ok to decide how much is ok for someone/an entity to earn. What is fair? Why should my neighbor sit on his butt all day and do nothing while I go to work to add value to society? Sorry, it isn't the racist thing here.. I think socialism and communism have no place in america. We are going to end up with a larger base of parasites on society and have fewer and fewer earners to pay for them. If we don't put a stop to subsidized living on the governement, we are going to be in for a world of hurt. Actually the current crisis is pretty much a direct result of the leftists saying "everyone should have a house.. or else we are being racist." Well shock of shocks, people who aren't able to make good decisions about their lives regarding education and self reliance are bad risks.. People with bad credit ratings don't pay back loans. Not everyone is cut out to be a home owner.. not racist, just the truth.. this applies to everyone white, black or whatever. I won't vote for Obama because he does not have my best interests at heart. He will take capital away from those who have a proven track record of creating wealth and give it to those who have a track record of just consuming. no brainer here.

Ms. Shypoke said...

By the way, biggest racists of all? African Americans! I have been around some of their private meetings and you would not believe what they want to blame white people for... Colon Cancer, Crack Cocaine, Aids etc.. all conspiricies by white people to keep them down. I had one guy tell me that the slave ships were used for medical testing regarding vitamins! It is unbelievable what they actually think of us.. Sure not everyone holds these views, but I have heard hundreds of African Americans voice and repeat these odd opinions. Really blows your mind.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I have to say, I really can't blame them for being defensive. I USED to think they were being paranoid, but since this election, and since seeing all the racism, like the guy in my story who admitted Obama would make the best president but he doesn't know if he can vote for "a coon," I understand why they have a chip on their shoulder.

The other thing is, slavery wasn't very long ago. It's hard to get out of poverty when you are born into it. This is why we need to make sure all Americans are educated, not only so they can get jobs that pay a living wage, but so they learn that it's possible to have more. When you are born into a ghetto to a crackhead mother, black or white, that's all you know. When our poorest citizens are educated and can support themselves, it's a win-win for everyone. For them individually and for our country as a whole, including the rich corporations and CEOs who will benefit from people being able to spend. It needs to trickle up, not trickle down. Obama wants to make college affordable for all Amercians. He will give college students whose parents earn less than fifty grand a year a tax credit in exchange for community service. Community service! He is not about people sitting on their butts getting a handout. This is how you make good Americans, black and white.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Qhgirl, no one said that everyone should be a homeowner but I think that most people in America would agree that everyone should have a home.

I think the current crisis is because the Republicans have been running the country for the last eight years! How much more do we need?!

Ms. Shypoke said...

Debi,

I understand your wanting to see the fairness in this. Unfortunately, if you are a minority, schools will fall all over themselves to get you if you can muster some basic semblance of qualification. When I went to JMU, we had a ton of underpriviledged kids being put into a jumpstart program to bring them up to speed. They were not only being educated and put up with free room and board, but given spending money while they were there.

Also, one of the main problems our economy has faced is the result of lax credit standards pushed and promoted by the liberals so that less advantaged people could own homes. The problem of people losing their homes now is a result of them overextending themselves. The left pushed for allowing public assistance of all types to be used as income for loans. This is supposed to be a temporary type of income, yet the lenders were allowed to consider it permanent. Anything to make it more possible for minorities to get loans. Of course with the lax standards, plenty of non-minorities got themselves in over their heads too.

Another reason I won't vote for Obama is his misguided belief that Energy Independance is a good thing. ABSOLUTELY not! We should be part of the world market able to take advantage of the lowest prices for all types of fuel. Should we explore domestic supply? Yes, we should, but the goal should not be to rely 100% on it. Obama wants to discount at least one resource that we do have a lot of her.. coal. Clean burning coal is a cost effective way to produce power. Should we explore renewables such as wind/hydro and solar? Sure, but the current technology does not make these viable for most applications. Nuclear is a great option, even one of the original Greenpeace founders agrees, but it becomes expensive when companies have to go through so much litigation to install new plants.(plus we get a lot of raw materials from places like south africa, kazakhstan, australia and canada.. so not really us independant there) It would be a disaster if we tried to be independant. If by some miracle we were able to do that, we would be highly vulnerable to domestic disasters that could interrupt supply. Then, we would have no avenues open by which to enter the world marketplace if we had slammed the door. We would certainly not be in a position of strength then. If we think gas and electricity are expensive now, just wait until Obama tries some of his energy policy on us..


By the way, I have an african american acquaintance who is a felon and has lost his right to vote. He said he and his cousin (another felon) have gotten at least 5 calls a piece telling them they can vote despite being felons. They are not being told how to apply for their right back, they are just being told they can go and get registered, no problem. They are both african american. I fear a lot of voter fraud will happen like that. BTW, this guy isn't going to do it cause he said he ain't goin to jail for noone.. at least he has some sense.

I am sorry that some of the reasons people have said they have a problem with Obama relate to race. However, it is entirely possible to have reasons other than race for oposing him. I don't think you can 100% exclude the race factor though.. remember his old preacher and the venom he spewed (and don't believe for a minute that Obama didn't know his views). That is not 100% saying that Obama agreed with this man on every issue, but I can't help but believe he has been influenced by and does have some measure of agreement in those views.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Be careful of guilt by association Qhgirl. McCain was involved in the Keating Five in the '80s, which was the big savings-and-loan scandal. He tried to protect Charles Keating, the rich businessman and campaign contributor, from the feds, who ultimately went to jail. McCain was also on the board of a group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America and Nazi collaborators and entangled in the Iran/Contra affair. And Palin's husband was a Secessionist (they wanted Alaska to break away from America) until, conveniently, she ran for Governor.

Key word you said about those college kids: UNDERPRIVILEDGED. Yes, I do think poor kids need help getting an education. I think that will make our country stronger. Like I always say, from the bottom up, like a good foundation.

I disagree that energy independence would be bad. It would also make our country stronger and Obama is interested in many sources of energy including clean coal.

I think non-violent felons should be allowed to vote. In many states, they are allowed to once they complete their sentence. If they are not allowed to be participating members of society because they smoked a joint twenty years ago and sold it to the other boys in the neighborhood, how can they have hope? People who are allowed to have a STAKE in OUR country, will naturally CARE more than those who are second-class citizens and have no say. I say, inspire! Encourage! Tell them they can do it! Give non-violent offenders a second chance. Taking away their rights forever is just too radical. Now if you're talking about violent felons, like rapists and murderers, they shouldn't even be out of jail. In fact, I guess I'm not so liberal after all because I am for the death penalty.

Well, it was nice chatting with you. It's obvious we don't see eye-to-eye so let's just agree to disagree like friends!

magicbeanbuyer said...

I can't say I agree with qhgirl either. But it's at least a little relieving to see that her decision is not based entirely on race. I think it's very irresponsible (to everyone) and ignorant for someone to instantly decide not to vote for a candidate based on the color of his skin. If you're going to be totally for a candidate, you have to ask yourself why and search that out. Have facts. What is it about this person that has your best interests in mind? "Obama hates America". Really...someone tell me how do you know that? In the real, logical world, where we all live, how does that make any sense at all?

I respect a person's decision to vote for McCain, but only if they have something to back it up. A person whose only reasoning is "well Obama is a coon, I can't vote for him" is disgusting, and in my opinion that person doesn't deserve to vote.

I'm also sickened over the amount of women that support Palin. They'd rather superficially vote for a pretty lady instead of opening their eyes to the fact that she supports taking away a woman's right to her own body. Way to drag yourselves under the bus like a herd of clueless cattle. While we're at it, why don't we just take away a woman's right to vote? We should be at home praying and making babies anyways.

Anonymous said...

As another New Jersey girl who long ago moved to the country, I applaud your honesty. I run into this all the time and it scares the hell out of me every time.

All I can say is keep fighting the good fight, one redneck at a time, lol! If you can open one mind to the possiblity of an Obama presidency, we're that much closer to getting a decent human being into the White House.

ShaNic Design said...

That was a good post. I am emailing it to all my friends.

Sister Mary Martha said...

qhgirl,

Sarah Palin did exactly that in Alaska. That's how she gave everyone $1000. It was a windfall profit tax on the oil companies. Either windfall profit tax is right or it's wrong...unless it's big oil?

Sister Mary Martha

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Ooh, I've gotten some responses from new people! Thank you guys. Sister Mary Martha, I am going to check YOU out. I haven't seen a real nun in many years but I can still hear Sister Grace Gabriel's voice in my head. In fact, if I close my eyes, I can feel her poking me in the head because, "Debi Kelly, you talk too much!" lol

Amy Hanek said...

You go girl... and go OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Callie said...

I'm with you too! Palin is an absolute moron and I find her embarrassing! Besides of which her voice just grades on my every last nerve! Tina Fey's impression on SNL is spot on ! At least Obama is a smart man. I thought the last debate really showed an honest man with a plan. Truthfully a plan that may have to change when he gets in and really sees the shit that Bush has left us, but at least he's honest about what needs to be done. McCain looked like a fumbling old man. Palin one heartbeat away. Scary thought!

Kate said...

Oh Debi, you are fighting the good fight with this post, my friend. I fear the ONLY thing that could keep Barack from the white house is the race issue-- the thing no one wants to talk about. Just last week, after the high school students had lunch, the N word showed up spray painted on the boardwalk near the school. I could throw up just typing that. We live the the north for God's sake-- this stuff is NOT supposed to exist here! I am thankful such awful chatter has not trickled down to my son's elementary classroom-- but this isn't over yet, either. Anyway, you give such well-thought, real, and raw reasoning in your post. And I would really love it if the folks who keep pulling the socialist card could tell me way it is ok to bail out the private sector (according to congressional hearings, AGI fat cats got busted spending nearly half-million dollars on a corporate retreat AFTER they got $10 billion in bailout help), but NOT offer healthcare to ALL children. Let's call it what it is folks: If you vote for McCain because you don't like Obama's tax plan, you are greedy. Plan and simple. I happen to be in a family that will fall in that small percentage that will get their taxes raised under Obama, and I am happy to do so. We can't live in the American McMansion reality forever folks. It just is not sustainable.

Kate said...

Oh Debi, you are fighting the good fight with this post, my friend. I fear the ONLY thing that could keep Barack from the white house is the race issue-- the thing no one wants to talk about. Just last week, after the high school students had lunch, the N word showed up spray painted on the boardwalk near the school. I could throw up just typing that. We live the the north for God's sake-- this stuff is NOT supposed to exist here! I am thankful such awful chatter has not trickled down to my son's elementary classroom-- but this isn't over yet, either. Anyway, you give such well-thought, real, and raw reasoning in your post. And I would really love it if the folks who keep pulling the socialist card could tell me way it is ok to bail out the private sector (according to congressional hearings, AGI fat cats got busted spending nearly half-million dollars on a corporate retreat AFTER they got $10 billion in bailout help), but NOT offer healthcare to ALL children. Let's call it what it is folks: If you vote for McCain because you don't like Obama's tax plan, you are greedy. Plan and simple. I happen to be in a family that will fall in that small percentage that will get their taxes raised under Obama, and I am happy to do so. We can't live in the American McMansion reality forever folks. It just is not sustainable.

Kate said...

Oh Debi-- such a great, thoughtful, raw post.

I need to come back when I am not trying to type and nurse a baby to tell you more...

Motley said...

Debi, I think You and Magic Bean Buyer should run for the presidency and the first thing you do when you win, is make all of the rich people buy converse "chucks" for every person who don't already own a pair.

Seriously, I just want to thank you and your posters for the knowledge you've shared on this thread. I've heard a lot of things that I didn't know. Very Imformative from all. Good or Bad.

Why is it that when I think about Palin, I see Tina Fey? Tina Fey looks more like Palin than Palin does!

I'm Down with Obama and the Red, White and Blue!

I hope this blog gets seen by every one in america!

Go Debi!



Motley

Lou said...

I finally got to your blog and wowzers are there a lot of comments here.

A new ad for Mccain is out and it's pretty much a blatant lie. It uses an out-of-context clip accusing Obama saying out troops are in Afghanistan "air-raiding villages and killing civilians."

The full sentence is:

"We've got to get the job done there and that requires us to have enough troops so that we're not just air-raiding villages and killing civilians,"

It really "burns my biscuts" that this campaign isn't being held to any accountability for truth. Also the fact that Palin only regards "human" life as worth preserving sickens me more.

Anyway, great blog!

Lou said...

Also, about the Obama statement, he would be telling if he said "air-raiding villages and killing civilians" in Afghanastan.

THE FACT CHECK:

A check of the facts shows that Western forces have been killing civilians at a faster rate than the insurgents have been killing civilians.

The U.S. and NATO say they don't have civilian casualty figures, but The Associated Press has been keeping count based on figures from Afghan and international officials. Tracking civilian deaths is a difficult task because they often occur in remote and dangerous areas that are difficult to reach and verify.

As of Aug. 1, the AP count shows that while militants killed 231 civilians in attacks in 2007, Western forces killed 286. Another 20 were killed in crossfire that can't be attributed to one party.

Love My Dog said...

I love your blog! Horses, Obama and thoughtful, intelligent posts -I will lead your California fan club! And while San Francisco and most of the bay area is obviously quite liberal and about as pro-Obama as you can get - I'm still shocked and the level of racism and hate coming from a few people I thought I knew quite well.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for putting into words what I feel inside. I live in the "Big" city of Richmond, VA, but my daughter rides horses too (an addiction, isn't it?), so I meet "interesting people" at horse shows. On one side are the Mercedes driving-6 horse trailer pulling-Trust Fund babies- they haven't "worked" (in a physical sense) their entire lives. They have McCain-Palin stickers on their cars and I know why- they don't want to give up any of their money. On the other side are people that we ride with (ours is a working class stable) that don't have a lot, live in nice little small houses, but just are very afraid of voting for Obama. Some think he will take their guns, others say he will raise their taxes (even if I tell them they don't make enough, the Republican mantra of "tax-raising Democrats" is drilled into their brains). But there are some that talk to me occasionally, knowing that I am a "damn Liberal Yankee," and they know that Obama would be for the things that need, but are really afraid to vote for "Rocky Mama" as they call him. I am hoping that some of them change their mind in the voting booth.

T.Allen said...

What a refreshing post. I'm from NYC now living in AZ and experiencing things from a whole other perspective. I can certainly appreciate and even welcome your honesty as a multi-cultural, unicorn riding liberal. This election has brought to light some issues that I'd never previously faced in my sheltered upbringing. I knew racism existed-I know now racism exists. That being said, your post has also brought to light a movement to see beyond race and even beyond our ingrained experiences and perception regarding race to work together for change.

Mrs. Mom said...

Gee Deb, if I only have half a brain, why email me for equine advice? Or does that only take half a brain to provide?

Back to my guns now <... gasp...>

..... and my horses....

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Yikes. I had no idea you were a McCain/Palin supporter when I asked you a question about horses' feet. Sorry! lol

Mrs. Mom said...

My politics dont matter Deb. Horse sense might.

Try LIBRETARIAN on for size- or are we brainless as well?

Sloan said...

Debi does she mean she doesn't give advice to people who aren't voting for the same person she is? She is not threatening to shoot you is she??!

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

No Sloan, she is not going to shoot me, lol. McCain is trying to get people to believe that Obama wants to take our guns away. It's NOT TRUE. That's why she mentioned guns. Obama just wants to protect us, to make tougher laws so guns don't get into the hands of violent offenders. Just more lying coming from the McCain campaign.

Mrs Mom, I know your politics have nothing to do with your horse sense. That's why I was surprised you complained I asked you a question about horses' feet because you were insulted about my story. I don't mind folks expressing a difference of opinion. That's why I publish your comments. Makes the writing more interesting. But I don't want to fight about it either. I tried to make a joke but I can see you're ticked. Don't worry. I can assure you the half-brain thing was not directed at you. Please don't take it personally. I have a conversationally kind of over-the-kitchen table style of writing...not unlike Palin's style of speaking. You betcha I do! And as you can see from my newest post, I don't think all McCain people are bad! lol

Sloan said...

Thanks, I just looked into that about the guns. I don't understand why anybody would be against gun control. Except the criminals!!

Clementine said...

It makes me sick to my stomach that anyone would base their decision on whether a man or woman is black, purple, or any other color. Vote for who you think will do the best for America.
I'm voting for McCain because I don't believe 125 days in the Senate is enough experience. Obama is too liberal for me. His views on abortion make me want to vomit. But am I refusing to vote for him because of his race? Absolutely not. I'd vote for Condeleeza Rice in a heartbeat.

Anonymous said...

Well said! I hate having all those lies about Obama out there. Is it the 20% who still defend Bush making up and believing all that stuff. The web of lies has gotten so intricate I can't begin to respond anymore. Not only am I voting for Obama, he's the first candidate since maybe Kennedy I feel excited about. I supported Kerry because he was off the chart better than Bush, but I wasn't excited by him.

Claudia Condiff said...

I don't call myself a "Scottish-English-Indian American'...I'm and American.So is Barack Obama. He's an American.Easy.Simple.Why do we say 'African American'? Why make that distinction if we want equality in America? I'd like to have control of the money that was spent by both sides in this election.Less hungry children in this world. Why do they seperate the states? Red and Blue. Aren't we the 'United States of America'?I think this whole mess is awful.
I thought the USA to be a melting pot, I think if we want unity and equality of all people, we need to stop calling Americans anything but that.They are Americans.my 2 cents in.

Anonymous said...

I FINALLY understand something I have wondered about for a long time, which is why the majority of black men and women claim an alliance with the Democrat party, knowing that the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was voted for unanimously by all 86 Republicans, and only 15 Democrats, while 50 Democrats voted against it. I also couldn't understand this affiliation based on the origination of the KKK by high ranking members of the Democrat party. (Look it up.) But when you commented that you have been fighting against feelings of racism your entire life, it became clear that the Democrat party are the ones with the desperation to make amends, apologize, and financially support black Americans, and will continue to do so long after everyone having anything to do with slavery is dead and gone, regardless of the fact that EVERY American has the same opportunities and can be successful if they apply themselves and work hard(e.g. Obama). In addition to that, black Americans are given all the freedom they want to publicly voice their racism and hatred for white people, which serves to keep the Democrats' guilt alive...probably forever.

I agree that it's silly to use the moniker "African-Americans." Not everyone who is black and is an American is from Africa, anyway.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

Susan, I AM desperate to make amends for what black people have gone through, lol.

Funny thing is, you know what they say about assuming things. I voted for Bush. He's a Republican, right?