I have never been “into” politics. I keep myself educated on the bare minimum I need to know to make a quasi-informed decision. I admit it.
This election, however, has changed that. Not because I am torn in any way between the two camps, but because I am absolutely terrified that the McCain/Palin ticket might actually win.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that the majority of women out there are going to vote for the GOP simply because Palin is a woman, but some will. Most women will, like anyone, make informed decisions based on facts, not gender lines. My fear is for those who “don’t care” or don’t look at facts and think how “cool” it would be to have the first female VP. And what really pisses me off about that is that it’s exactly what the Republican Party wants. They want to draw the “female vote.” What they don’t realize is that Hillary supporters didn’t just want a female president, they wanted Hillary to be president.
I get some relief from websites such as Women Against Sarah Palin, but I have also been lulled into a false sense of security before (e.g. the last 2 elections which miraculously voted in George W. Bush) when I thought that the People would do the right thing.
Can someone honestly look at the Republican ticket and say, “Yes, that is who I think is the best to run this country”? Or do they simply support them based on party and/or gender lines?
I’ve heard comparisons between Palin and Teddy Roosevelt. Youth, inexperience and holding a governorship for less than 2 years before becoming VP. But the similarities end there, I think. Roosevelt strived for conservation of animals and forests, which is pretty different than the “Drill, baby, drill” chants following Palin. Plus let’s not forget that Roosevelt actually went to war and had some military experience and Palin hasn’t had to so much as deploy the National Guard.
And let’s not even get started on the women’s rights issue that Palin seems to find laughable. She is rather extremist on these points, don’t you think? And against sex education even though her 17 year-old daughter is pregnant? Hmm. Oh, it’s okay because she “plans on marrying the father.” I see. Are these the family values that the party is now upholding? Or is she going to be completely hypocritical and hold the young women of the country to a different standard than her own daughter?
And the supposed book ban controversy? Republicans will be the first to tell you, “she didn’t ACTUALLY ban any books. Look at the purported list and you’ll see that some of the books weren’t even published yet.” I’m pretty certain people have falsified a list trying to inflame protest against Sarah Palin. I am also equally certain that Palin did make inquiries about banning books and how that would go over at the library. Did she (or someone she knew) steal books out of the library that she didn’t agree with? Only she can (and won’t) answer that. No, she didn’t ban books, but she certainly showed interest and maybe even intent. “So, if I were to severely cut human rights, do you think people would be pissed? Yes? Oh, well, I was just asking.” Why? Why were you asking, Sarah Palin? That is the real question.
And don’t even get me started on the “earmarking” controversy that McCain is so against, even though his running mate has earmarked more money per capita for Alaska than any other state. Period.
Logically, I think the Obama/Biden ticket will benefit this country far more than McCain/Palin. I have faith that logical Americans will see it the same way.
Please don’t prove me wrong, America.
