In the mid-term election, I voted for the Democrats. It was a difficult decision, not because I am a Republican, or because I carefully weighed the issues, but because it went against what I stand for. I can stipulate to agreeing with about 25% of what that party stands for; the same for the Republicans. Allow me to digress.....
I am an independent, always have been. The last few years I have voted almost exclusively Libertarian. I like a lot of what they say (even when it lacks the eloquent high-paid speech writing of the other two.) A review for the unfamiliar:
1. They believe in the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Enough said.
2. They believe in smaller government on personal level, and more government on a national level. This is logical to me, I must be retarded.
3. They believe in keeping the second amendment. I do not believe that firearms are inherently evil. When the military and police stop keeping and using guns, then I will lay mine down.
4. They believe in a woman's right to choose. Abortion is a touchy subject. Which month, is it a life, etc. I understand the complexity, however until all children are planned, born to healthy, enthusiastic parents; and until the population is proportionate to our social and scientific advancement, I think abortions are necessary (I may have to write a post on population eventually...)
Aside from that, I believe we need a third party that can be strong and keep people honest (HA!) So, with that out there, allow me to tell you why I voted Democrat.
It was a selfish decision, I suppose, or a logical one. Simply put, the price of gas was at over three dollars a gallon. There was no relief in sight. On a day that it was at 2.99, I felt lucky. Those war profiteers in the Republican cabinet had finally pushed me to the point of having to swing my vote from independent to democrat. I felt, as many did, that by securing the Democrats in the house and senate, it would curtail the ever rising price of gas and stick it to G.W.Bush at the same time. How could I resist?
So, after the election, the price dropped to almost two dollars. I figured that it should be at approximately 1.50, and I can tolerate the 50 cent beating, so I was satisfied. Finally, something that I voted for yielded results right away! I was feeling good about myself and the democratic process.
Now, less than six months later, the price per gallon is back to 2.99. What the hell, guys? WHY DID I VOTE FOR YOU IF YOU AREN'T GOING TO KEEP THE PRICE OF GAS DOWN? I mean, my entire purpose for voting against my independent/Libertarian mind set was to keep gas cheap. You think I was excited about the possibility of smoking being banned everywhere? Or the prospect of giving away more money to make more unnecessary laws about social programs that do not help, or laws about how I can buy my cold medicine? Maybe it was the idea of never being able to have a gun unless I join the military.....no, I am pretty sure it was to keep gas cheap, you lying cocklovers.
I am past the point of being astonished at how abysmally the system fails day in and out. I am past the scandals and the fact that our country is set up like an unfriendly corporation. Stop stealing our money and attempting to eliminate the middle class. Even the ancient Greeks, with all there contributions of the creation of democracy, didn't create this phenomenon we call the middle class. That is an American original. It is a useful system, one never gets too rich, but they can be comfortable. You may have to suffer the idea that you will always be mediocre, but it is better than being poor. Also, it did give way to the ‘American dream', that hard work and diligences can pay off, if one is so inclined to excel. Now as the powers that be are attempting to eliminate our class structure, one can only assume that the next step will be one backward to the feudal system.
Fuck all that, sir. If there is truly a fuel shortage, and we are on the edge of a crisis, I have a few questions.
First of all, if oil prices are driven up because the rich Schick and elite oil corporation C.E.O.'s are trying to tell us that we are running out (they have to eat, too), and the American government is so concerned, why do we not eliminate waste? I am not even referring to car pooling and public transportation, I am talking about straight waste. Racing. From dirt track to NASCAR, the amount of fuel used in weekly races has to be equal to a few days of driving for the entire population of the country. Going around in a circle with expensive refined fuel on a small track may be a source of revenue for many people, however if we are in a true crisis, shouldn't this be eliminated or postponed for a few years?
Next, take a look at the ‘war machine'. I have been told (and I have no real way to verify this), that the main reason we do not use most of the oil from this country, is that we need it as emergency reserves for our war machine. Think about it; tanks, Humvees, Jeeps, medical vehicles, fighter planes, and missiles need fossil fuels. Not to mention all the other provisions that are necessary such as shelter, light, mess, medical, etc. Do you think they are using solar power out there in the desert? Me either. For the amount of fuel that we are securing in the middle east, how much are we expending? Does it even make sense? A tank that is in Baghdad right now moving to a zone from b zone burning gas from our Texas offshore oil derricks is equivalent to how much gas a person can use in week driving to and from work? Times how many tanks, Humvees, and so on. It is almost mind boggling that this is even a considered as a good use of the ‘precious little' oil we have left. If we really
need the oil, we could just assume control of the government in those countries, right?
And finally, how about alternative fuel sources? Just now, we are being offered automobiles that are hybrids. In some areas there are buildings, towns, and grids being powered by solar, hydro, and wind powered generators. Question is, why did we not implement this sooner? We have had the knowledge that these types of power have been available for thirty years, why just now are we starting to implement them on a larger scale? Could it be because they are cheaper and more efficient? I believe that we see them now because the government has just figured out how to bill for these services at a rate more conduitive to high profit margins. Of course all I have to go by is what logic and my eyes tell me. If you believe the president and every one else that has an opinion, those are two obsolete sources for information.
When I go to vote, I see the Democrats as a party that wants to eliminate all the fun I can have in life, while treating everyone in the country as if they are in cradle school. I see the Republicans as a party that wants me to be frozen in 1950 socially, while being stuck in 1350 economically. Neither is a viable ‘lesser of two evils' for me.
So to the Democrats, thanks for nothing. If you believe you can swing me in the next election, I have bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell you, cheap. I will continue to vote my conscience, as useless as it may make my vote. I encourage every one else to do the same (Imagine a political system in which representatives actually do what their constituents wants them to do, Ridiculous!), because THAT is what made this country what it is, not bait and switch tactics of contemporary politicians. As the saying goes "Democrats are nothing but Republicans in cheap suits."
"All parties, however loyal to principles at first, degenerate into aristocracies of interest at last, and unless a nation is capable of discerning the point where integrity ends and fraud begins, popular parties are among the surest modes of introducing an aristocracy" -John Taylor in a letter to John Adams, 1814
