Re: Goodbye, Cruel Ballot Box
While I certainly agree with the spirit of Josh's commentary, I think that in some regards it does miss the mark. Admittedly, I have not been political for very long. After September 11th, 2001 I realized that I could no long remain cynical and indifferent while others decided the events of the world. In 2004 I registered to vote, but still not really understanding the process didn't begin the follow the election until early Fall (i.e. after it was too late to make much of a difference).
Not wanting to make the same mistakes again this time around, I paid more attention to debates, bought and read books written by the candidates, subscribed to mailing lists, spent hours a day pouring over political blogs and watching clips on YouTube, etc.
I say all this because I want to make it clear that for all my best intentions, I accept that I'm still very much wet behind the ears. I accept that the shenanigans, spin, and such might just be business as usual and at some point I'm going to have to grow up and learn to live with it.
But while I am still just a little wide-eyed and hopeful, I do want to believe that conduct matters. That *how* one shows up to the game could be in some ways more important than whether that person wins or loses. That the good guy can win.
I know that Hillary's policies are very similar to Barack's; it's been pointed out several times. And if I were voting for policies rather than leadership, it would be much easier for me to feel comfortable going to the ballot box and casting a vote for Hillary Clintion in November, should she win the nomination. But I don't think I am voting for ink on paper. I support Barack Obama because he represents a break from "politics as usual" (boy, I sure drank the Kool-Aid on that tag line).
My concern is that a vote for Hillary is a slap in the face of the platform Barack has run on and the movement that my fellow citizens and I have helped to foster. A vote for Hillary reaffirms that "politics as usual" wins elections. And for those of us that dared to invest ourselves in this process in the hopes of creating something better, we fear that such a victory might be more than what we can bear.
Thank you for reading
Not wanting to make the same mistakes again this time around, I paid more attention to debates, bought and read books written by the candidates, subscribed to mailing lists, spent hours a day pouring over political blogs and watching clips on YouTube, etc.
I say all this because I want to make it clear that for all my best intentions, I accept that I'm still very much wet behind the ears. I accept that the shenanigans, spin, and such might just be business as usual and at some point I'm going to have to grow up and learn to live with it.
But while I am still just a little wide-eyed and hopeful, I do want to believe that conduct matters. That *how* one shows up to the game could be in some ways more important than whether that person wins or loses. That the good guy can win.
I know that Hillary's policies are very similar to Barack's; it's been pointed out several times. And if I were voting for policies rather than leadership, it would be much easier for me to feel comfortable going to the ballot box and casting a vote for Hillary Clintion in November, should she win the nomination. But I don't think I am voting for ink on paper. I support Barack Obama because he represents a break from "politics as usual" (boy, I sure drank the Kool-Aid on that tag line).
My concern is that a vote for Hillary is a slap in the face of the platform Barack has run on and the movement that my fellow citizens and I have helped to foster. A vote for Hillary reaffirms that "politics as usual" wins elections. And for those of us that dared to invest ourselves in this process in the hopes of creating something better, we fear that such a victory might be more than what we can bear.
Thank you for reading
