The World of Self...
We had primary elections in Oklahoma today.
There will be quite a few run-offs in four weeks.
What has caught my eye is how few people have voted.
Yes, they are only the primaries, but these are the candidates that will constitute the general elections in November.
So a few questions roll through my fever-ridden mind...
What do people believe in?
Do they have any strong feelings about matters that are outside of their "world".
You know... Outside of our everyday lives.
Most Americans live a pretty "cushy" life-style.
Even our poor citizens are richer than most country's regular citizens.
In 1998, a living wage in Haiti was 58¢ an hour, and El Salvador was a whopping $1.18 an hour.
We all know that our living standards are much higher than most. I don't really know how much living that a $1.18 an hour job would get us somewhere else.
How many television sets are in an average American home now? Video games?
How many miles do we drive to entertain ourselves, get us to work, go to the stores...
We certainly don't walk out of necessity in this country.
We walk so we'll look good to 'ourselves'...
And others, of course.
One thing is for sure...
Poor Americans aren't held by the same standards as the poor in other countries.
How much trouble is it to go and vote?
I mean, really.
You're not giving up any life-blood, or anything like that.
There's not even a dress code at the polling booths.
So you don't have to worry about how you look.
Do Americans feel strongly about anything of national importance?
I mean, strong feelings.
Like, "willing to die for" convictions.
There are folks out there who are willing to die for their beliefs.
And they're willing to kill for them too.
Are we so lazy, and wrapped up within ourselves, that we'll be caught off-guard...
Again?
Yeah...
It was only a primary election.
And we already have tomorrow planned for ourselves.
But what if there weren't anymore elections in the United States...
Ever.
later...
There will be quite a few run-offs in four weeks.
What has caught my eye is how few people have voted.
Yes, they are only the primaries, but these are the candidates that will constitute the general elections in November.
So a few questions roll through my fever-ridden mind...
What do people believe in?
Do they have any strong feelings about matters that are outside of their "world".
You know... Outside of our everyday lives.
Most Americans live a pretty "cushy" life-style.
Even our poor citizens are richer than most country's regular citizens.
In 1998, a living wage in Haiti was 58¢ an hour, and El Salvador was a whopping $1.18 an hour.
We all know that our living standards are much higher than most. I don't really know how much living that a $1.18 an hour job would get us somewhere else.
How many television sets are in an average American home now? Video games?
How many miles do we drive to entertain ourselves, get us to work, go to the stores...
We certainly don't walk out of necessity in this country.
We walk so we'll look good to 'ourselves'...
And others, of course.
One thing is for sure...
Poor Americans aren't held by the same standards as the poor in other countries.
How much trouble is it to go and vote?
I mean, really.
You're not giving up any life-blood, or anything like that.
There's not even a dress code at the polling booths.
So you don't have to worry about how you look.
Do Americans feel strongly about anything of national importance?
I mean, strong feelings.
Like, "willing to die for" convictions.
There are folks out there who are willing to die for their beliefs.
And they're willing to kill for them too.
Are we so lazy, and wrapped up within ourselves, that we'll be caught off-guard...
Again?
Yeah...
It was only a primary election.
And we already have tomorrow planned for ourselves.
But what if there weren't anymore elections in the United States...
Ever.
later...
posted by It's me, T.J. at Tuesday, July 25, 2006
14 Comments:
Never have elections? Gee, that is a frightening thought. I think far too many people in this country become complacent about their community, and take the democratic process for granted. I certainly see it. I know many of my friends who do not vote. Who have never voted. When I ask why, they say things like "I just never got around to registering" or "I am not into politcs" or 'Well, look what happened in the presidental election with Bush and Gore. The people's choice, the popular vote didn't matter."
I don't know if it is just ignorance or what. I have been voting for MANY years. I read the papers. I stay on top of the news and try to keep up with local politics, and the national and international news as well. I believe it is so important to stay involved and be informed so that I can make an informed choice. I think you may be right though, TJ. Too many people get so wrapped up in their lives...their "cushy" lives, they don't see beyond that. Maybe they feel that events like what is going on in Israel and Lebanon doesn't concern them because it is not happening TO them. Is another 9/11 possible? Absolutely.
I am so not looking forward to this governor election.
It's already started. ugh.
Last night I watched our local reporter as Gov. Henry if it would be a dirty campaign or not, before the opponent had been named and he said he'd run a clean campaign but his opponent had already promised a dirty campaign.
I sat there going ...huh? We don't even know who your campaign opponent IS YET!
Sigh.
Why does oklahoma governor election always turn so dirty?
I personally knew one of the people running who did not win. I was saddened that he didn't win. He would have made a good governor.
I don't know if it is just ignorance or what.
Hey Pattie...
I think it's a combination of spoiled apathy, and a "What's in it for me" attitude.
BTW... I figured you were a voter. *Letter writers* (like us) tend to be.
*grin*
Hey Peggikaye...
"Dirty campaigns" make me dig a little deeper into the motives of the mudslinger.
It seems that mudslingers like to create a distraction so that nobody will pay attention to their short-comings or lack of political convictions.
So in a way, a mudslinger is kind of good.
But I know what you mean Peggikaye. It does take away from the real issues which...
is the reason they are slinging the mud in the first place.
later...
Voting tends to suck now adays.. your picking between bad and worse...
very rarily do you get someone who will do what they say and stick by the "people"
for most it's all about power and slinging it around....
that I think more then anything is why fewer and fewer people are voting because when they do vote it's like they didn't vote at all because no one stuck to their campaign promisis and did what they said they would...
politics suck... it should be about what the people want.. not "horse trading"
by the by...
I did try and comment the other day... wrote it out and everything.. then for what ever reason blogger got an attitude.. then my puter got an attitude and kicked me off...
I have not been having the best of luck lately...
hope your feelin better!!!! drink some Orange juice...:)
Hey Wolfbaby...
I'm sorry you had trouble with Blogger.
I think it happens too much.
I think that the mainstream media is largely responsible for the political climate and disemination of information.
Most people are at the mercy of the opinions and political agenda of the MSM mostly because they are too busy to bother to do any of their own research about their political candidates.
If you aren't a friend of the MSM, then you aren't going to get good press. Which in turn means that a lot of the stories are going to have a slant to them (painting a bad picture). I say this because if we knew all the facts, if we knew what really happened, how our politicians voted, etc., then we might find that more of our 'good' public servants are doing what we would like for them to do; they're just on the wrong side of the fence with the MSM so we never hear about it.
later...
Poor Wolfbaby had to listen to a blow by blow of the election returns Tuesday night on IM ;)
She doesn't live in Oklahoma.
She's probably better prepared to vote than most Oklahoman's LOL
Oh my!
Very insightful thoughts. I went on a little political rant today, which I won't repeat here. The only thing people feel strongly about is themselves -- not a cause and certainly not their country. I hope people get a clue and get it soon.
TJ:
I always vote for the local political parties but when it comes to the governing (UK) political parties they seem to promise anything to get themselves in power - they makes promises and have no intention of keeping them - they can't possibly keep them, they're ridiculous promises just said to get the vote.
I hate it when one party starts throwing dirt at another - it really puts me off voting for them - and as all the parties do that, there isn't anyone left to vote for!
It seems ALL the politicians are interested in is having an affair = with a male or female, it doesn't seem to matter, they're all at it!
I am totally disillusioned - there is no-one and no party that I could give my vote to - sorry, but there it is - rant over! *smile*
Sue
Hey Dr. A...
I'll make an effort to get over there to read your rant. (I've been horribly ill this week.) But I believe this is the main cause of apathy.
Hey Sue...
It sounds like there are 'morality' issues in UK politics? I could see where this would really turn you off.
It would seem that more people, like yourself, would be able to get their voices heard.
Somehow, someway.
Since I do not know very much about how politics and the media work over there I couldn't even begin to imagine how this could be accomplished.
Other than maybe writing several letters to the editor, your representatives, etc.
I do know that here the old adage of "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" really does work!
later...
Hey Dr. A...
I'll make an effort to get over there to read your rant. (I've been horribly ill this week.) But I believe this is the main cause of apathy.
Hey Sue...
It sounds like there are 'morality' issues in UK politics? I could see where this would really turn you off.
It would seem that more people, like yourself, would be able to get their voices heard.
Somehow, someway.
Since I do not know very much about how politics and the media work over there I couldn't even begin to imagine how this could be accomplished.
Other than maybe writing several letters to the editor, your representatives, etc.
I do know that here the old adage of "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" really does work!
later...
Hey Dr. A...
I'll make an effort to get over there to read your rant. (I've been horribly ill this week.) But I believe this is the main cause of apathy.
Hey Sue...
It sounds like there are 'morality' issues in UK politics? I could see where this would really turn you off.
It would seem that more people, like yourself, would be able to get their voices heard.
Somehow, someway.
Since I do not know very much about how politics and the media work over there I couldn't even begin to imagine how this could be accomplished.
Other than maybe writing several letters to the editor, your representatives, etc.
I do know that here the old adage of "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" really does work!
later...
Apathy ... sad. Through apathy, we could lose what so many have died to give us.
Apathy, and the idea that we are owed something ... that we don't need to earn anything, it's just owed to us ...
This is what could bring our nation to its knees ... we're our own worst enemies.
TJ, I sincerely hope that you are feeling better!!!
You're on my mind ...
Hey Moof...
I am starting to feel some better.
I have been very sick.
Thanks goes to my neighbor Sue who made dinner for me the other night, at least I was able to eat and keep my strength up.
*Undying Gratefulness*
I'm truly blessed.
later...
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