I'm talking about the Presidential election, of course. First, does it really matter who wins the Democratic nomination, and second, does it really matter who wins the election? Or am I a total moron for even posing the question?
Let's look at the Democratic nomination first. Many Democrats believe that there is a fundamental difference between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. To me, there seems to be more of a pragmatic world view that Hillary has that Obama does not. Obama is pretty much a novice to the world stage, which might not be such a bad thing, but it does give some concern. Both candidates have serious character flaws, not the least of which is Hillary's distance from being able to tell the truth. Truth be told, all things considered and following on the heels of what may turn out to be the worst Presidency in American History (although, in fairness, it's probably still a little too soon for George W to be considered the all-time worst, but it's not inconceiveable), I think either candidate would do fairly well. The problem is, I don't believe either is electable. Hillary Clinton is so thoroughly despised by so many people in so much of the country that I think she will be trounced by John McCain. Obama, on the other hand, would probably do a little better than Hillary, but there is no way that I can believe this nation is ready to elect a black man with a Muslim name as its president. No way in the world. So, it really doesn't matter, Hillary or Obama, both will probably get trounced by McCain.
So, does it matter if McCain wins? The easy answer is yes, of course, if McCain wins we will stay in Iraq for years, there will be conservatives appointed to the Supreme Court who will overrule Roe vs. Wade (I'm not so sure that's a bad thing---if Roe is overturned, doesn't that mean that the issue of reproductive rights reverts back to the individual states, and if so, isn't that where it should be in the first place?), and the economy will get even worse.
Oh really? How much worse can the economy get? Well, in theory, a lot worse. Sure, the price of gas has gone through the roof, the price of food and everything else has been going steadily up, and we are mired in a recession. But we're a long way from the Depression of the 30's, and unemployment does not seem to be unmanageably high. Would the Democratic candidate have some magical panacea to fix the economy that McCain does not possess? Isn't it true that no matter who wins the election, unless we lessen our dependence on foreign oil, the economic crisis will only get worse? It seems more like an American problem than a Democratic or Republican one.
Iraq? Well, both Democratic candidates say they will get us out of Iraq quickly, but what else would they be expected to say? I, for one, have a hard time believing it. I think we're stuck there for an indeterminate period of time, and no one, not Hillary, Barack or John McCain will be able to get us out quickly.
Social issues? Yes, there are significant differences between the Republicans and Democrats on most social issues. But McCain is viewed as a somewhat middle of the road conservative, while both Hillary and Obama are "conservative democrats," whatever the hell that means. Their views on social issues may seem divergent in theory, but in practice, probably not so much.
So, in this pivotal, critical election year of 2008, with the economy spiralling downward, a seemingly endless war going on overseas, social turmoil, and a widening gap between the haves and the have-nots, does it really matter who will win the election? I don't know, I just don't know.
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It makes an enormous difference who the next President is.
That is why it is so sad that I agree with you 100% that John McCain will be our next President.
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I think that John McCain would be a disaster for the United States.
He would continue the policies of George Bush, because in a funny way, George Bush wound up adopting all the policies that John McCain advocated 8 years ago. McCain just thinks that he can implement them better. But, the policies are wrong.
They are wrong because we have learned over the past 8 years that American conservatism is intrinisically evil and corrupt by definition.
American conservatism says that you are supposed to succeed and fail on your own merits, and with limited government interference.
What American conservatism does is another matter altogether.
So, when the oil companies need a more secure supply of oil, we go to war in Iraq.
When military contractors need greater profits, we privatize essential military functions (like say, interrogation at Abu Gharib.)
When hedge funds and major mortgage lenders fail, we bail them out.
When the Governor of California thinks he has a better idea on energy, suddenly states rights is for losers. Republican campaign contributors might get angry
But, when people in New Orleans drown, they drown. Hey, your choice to live there.
When a medical insurance system that keeps people alive works, we break it, because we may learn that broad insurance pools (a half-step away from socialized medicine) might be better than the "try to guess what you are going to be sick with next year" insurance system that we now have.
Because we somehow worry that the "wrong people" might have their lives prolonged.
Ranting ranting
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We have had years to think about what it might mean to have President McCain, so we have already factored it into our thoughts, for better or worse.
But try to run these through your mind, and tell me it doesn't make a difference ...
Vice President Huckabee becomes President Huckabee upon McCain's unfortunate passing in 2010.
The Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, and says that the 14th Amendment right of personhood begins at conception. States cannot legalize abortion any more than they can legalize slavery.
Attorney General Guiliani conducts raids on anyone he disagrees with. "Laws. Shmaws," he says, "It's safety first. You never see any terrorists bombs in Russia or China. Ever think that they may be onto something good?"
Director of Homeland Security Bernard Kerik. "What's the point of having a job, if you can't make all the money you can at it?"
Secretary of the Interior, Richard B. Cheney.
Oh, I can do this all night, but you catch my drift.
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Oh Mercy.
Because we are the same nation of morons that voted for Bush twice in a row.
And now we are going to reap the bitter harvest.
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