Voting Green in 2008
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Tonight, for perhaps no other reason than the fact that there is such a scarcity of anything new on TV, (particularly on a Saturday night… particular with an antenna!), I, Vivian, watched the New Hampshire Republican and Democratic debates. I might add that my sheer surprise in some of the outcomes of the Iowa caucus this week is what actually prompted me to stay on the debates once I flipped there.
In the past, I’ve tended to keep my head out of politics to deal with the situations at hand… bills, medical needs, college, my baby, our jobs…
Tonight, for perhaps the first time, I realized that it is precisely these issues, the one’s I struggle with daily, that were talked about in the debates, and that actually go to effect my life all the way from the White House. (Correction… the Republicans, who happen to be, I might add, my current party, debated primarily on foreign policy and keeping America the “strongest nation in the world.” *make sticking finger down my throat gesture*)
I was impressed with the level of discussion between the democratic candidates, however. A few times, I thought, my gosh… these are MY issues. I am middle-class, I am uninsured, I can’t afford a home in this market, MY husband is unemployed due to the economy, I get very little tax relief… - WHY DID THIS TAKE SO LONG TO SINK IN???
It was also clear, fortunately, that at least 3 out of the 4 candidates (again, just referring to the Dems here) seemed to have grasped what is the “voice” of my issues, that some how or another they had an up-close experience with some one just like me effected by the status of our nation.
I felt very much better educated on what sets each candidate apart on these issues, as well. Hilary certianly “knows her stuff” and has a proven track record, but I’m with a great many others in wondering if that means she’s really the best person for the job of “change”, maybe even because of it (her experience). Obama didn’t impress me as much as I thought he would, though I really REALLY liked his idea of NOT mandating adults to buy their own health insurance (BUT making it affordable so we CAN)- HOWEVER, we would be mandated to buy it for our children, for the sheer fact that they do not have a choice. For me, this was one of the most interesting ideas of the evening. I was more impressed by Edwards than I expected myself to be, perhaps particularly on his campaign of going to battle for the middle-income families. Facebook, one of the sponsors for the debates, was asked to poll its participants the following question: “What was the biggest surprise”. An overwhelming majority voted for “Romney saying that the drug companies are NOT THE BAD GUY” and BOY do I agree with the Facebooker’s. When he said that, I was like, woah, what? I mean, sure, okay, in an ideal world we can try to believe that for the most part their bottom line is “making us well”… funny, because from what I’ve gleaned it is typically the practice of drug companies to manufacture chemicals that treat symptoms… leaving out the “make us well” part because we are left with weaker immune systems and further medical ailments long-term. In the meantime a marginal percent of us can even afford the drugs to presumably make us well, while the drug companies make awesome amounts of money keeping us popping pills. Interesting to take a look at traditional Eastern medicine and compare who is actually getting “well”.
But, of course, I digress to the issue of environment and sustainability. What little (in my opinion) was mentioned about this in both debates, particularly the Reps, really invoked my curiosity, for obvious reasons. Hubby and I were intrigued and starting looking on-line to find some more resources on where each candidate stands on the “green” issues in particular.
He landed on this site, which I love for its simplicity in outlining the green profiles of candidates from both parties. (Seems a WONDERFUL site for all things green, at that.) So as you bounce this all around in your head as I and so many American’s have been doing as we approach November, I do hope that the green issues will effect voting. I really got a wake up call tonight, and I hope I won’t be the only one in the next 10 months.
That is so funny because I liked that Romney said that the big pharmacuetical companies are not the bad guys and he also said that there is excess and that we should go after excess.
Just a couple of positives that I witness first hand because I work for one of these companies, they help a lot of low and middle class people to get medical care that they otherwise could not afford. For example I spoke with a woman the other day who has been living with knee pain that has been debilitating her, she does not have health care and not able to see a dr. We are going to get her x-rays and she is going to see one of our physicians and she will get a diagnosis all for free. She will not have to pay a dime.
One other note, the company that I work for takes very good care of it’s employess and provides affordable health, eye, and dental insurance. Along with 401k, life insurance (some you can purchase and some you don’t) and they will pay for school.
I am like you though that I wish that natural and homeopathic medicine was more widely known but as of now it’s not.
Anyway I know I talk down about the pharm companies alot but I think maybe I should be more mature about this or more realistic.
I second that, that there was nothing on the old antenna tv last night so I as well watched the debates. I felt that Romney came out on top for me then I found out he was mormon and now I am wondering if that fact will matter to me.
I certainly don’t want to portray that pharm companies/medical industry in general is “evil”. Obviously, our health care system is quite backwards in many ways. My dad’s leg would not be able to heal if it were not for the three major pain pills he pops every 3 hours while he awaits his surgery, and I can’t count that as anything but a God send since it can help take the edge off a bone busted in 5 places! I didn’t resonate with much of the topics discussed by the Republicans, esp compared to the Democrats. Did you watch theirs too? I felt like they were much more prepared to discuss issues that effect the daily lives of Americans.
So far everything I have read said it was a very, very bad night for Romney, who came off on the defense and very edgy. Every time he opened his mouth I was like, holy crap, who could vote for that guy?! LOL I guess that is why politics and religion are the two things you aren’t supposed to bring up at a party! We all see things very differently.
Thanks for your input. I think it’s much better to make an educated vote than a noneducated vote, or just as bad, not vote at all! That’s what a nation “by the people” is all about!