The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    Orlando's picture

    Watching the Elections from Afar

    By Orlando on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 3:20am | Politics

    Is it really just over a month until election day? I guess I'd better apply for my absentee ballot. Don't worry. I will. But at the risk of being scolded, I have to admit, I don't care all that much. It's okay to judge me for my apathy. Two years ago, I was Judgey McJudgerson. I couldn't believe why anyone in their right mind would vote for John McCain or choose not to vote at all. Actually, I still can't really believe why someone would make one of those choices, which is why the absentee ballot will be duly completed--albeit without a single ounce of enthusiasm. 

    Two years ago, I worked really hard for a candidate that I believed could make a difference systemically. Kinda dumb, when you think about it. Nobody can make a difference systemically. It's why all systems eventually break down. I suppose I thought President Obama had the best chance of repairing what, to my eyes, was so clearly broken. As for his performance as a president, I give him a B+. I'd like to think I'd do things differently, but I don't want the job. It's akin to being the captain of the Titanic. He can see the iceberg but it's too late to do a damn thing about it. How can you solve any problems when the leaders we elect to try are seemingly only interested in reserving space in the lifeboats for themselves and their families? 

    Maybe things will get better again but it's hard to imagine how, when leaders are either willfully stupid or disingenuously so; ideas and interests are so entrenched as to be unmovable; and the frenzied calls for freedom and liberty are so divorced from history and reality that they are utterly meaningless. 

    I admire those of you who are still fighting. Maybe some day I will rejoin you. For now, as far as politics is concerned, it's all I can do to muster enough energy to lick a stamp. 

    Topics: 
    Politics

    Comments

    I get to feelin this way sometimes.

    Mr. Seaton wrote that it might have been better if McCain had won the election. It would set the stage for a greater revolt from the republican party.

    But, I mean, would it have been better if Hitler would have won the war? How far do you take this logic?

    Children who had never even had a chance for receiving medical care were insured on the day Obama took office if i recall correctly. Grandma Pelosi had the bill all signed sealed and delivered to him by the 20th of January, 2009.

    Because of stimulus packages, people are employed today who would not have been employed had McCain won.

    There was some relief provided by the extensions of unemployment insurance benefits.

    Some is better than naught.


    by Richard Day on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 11:27am

    Had McCain won, I suspect we'd be at war with Canada by now.

    After all, they've massed what, 90+% of their population on our border already?

     


    by Austin Train on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 11:55am

    Agree 100% Richard. Seaton is wrong. McCain being elected would not create some progressive tsunami. Obama and the Democrats have done a lot of good for this country.

    Fact is, Seaton notwithstanding, Bush Basers will NEVER abandon the GOP. They just vote for the NEW BREED of GOP politician.  Which are all the same as the Old Breed.  Which is what the Tea Party is all about. I mean, if 8 years of being whacked upside the head doesn't change your mind about the GOP, four more years of more of the same, or worse (heaven forbid!) ain't gonna make much difference!


    by NCD on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 12:08pm

    I think asking for enthusiasm is a little much, really.  It's enough that you vote.  What does the outside world think about our midterms from afar?  Or do they even notice much?


    by Michael Maiello on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 11:37am

    The way I look at it, self-government is work, and being a democratic citizen is a job.  Voting is just one of the tasks you have to perform on the job.  Like most jobs, it's only exciting and rewarding some of the time.  Others times it's a grind.  You just do your job and hope for fun days later.


    by Dan Kervick on Tue, 10/05/2010 - 12:31pm

    To go further with your metaphor, Obama is the captain of the Titanic, and his mutinous and fearful crew are happily ensconced in the best life boats and are yelling: "We're outa here, passengers! We want you to be free (to drown!)" I am still fighting, but Tom Periello is a good guy and is easy for me to support. His GOP challenger won't even debate him because he can't put three words together that don't contradict each other. This is indeed a discouraging time. That grifter from Alaska (Scott; not the OTHER grifter from Alaska) has enough skeletons in his closet to sink any politician in normal times; and Nevada! Who would vote for someone who actively hates them? Glad you can see it from afar, although it probably isn't any easier than being here "stepping in it" every day.

    by CVille Dem on Fri, 10/08/2010 - 2:29pm

    Yes, maybe things will get better. We just have to be optimistic though things are getting worse. Let's just hope a new breed of leaders will be elected and will be able to patch things up. But it will also depend on the voters. Let's all be vigilant on who we'll vote for. Don't just vote based on popularity. 


    by Mark @ Israel (not verified) on Thu, 10/14/2010 - 3:21am

    I tried it and it works - thanks a million!


    by GHD straightener (not verified) on Thu, 10/21/2010 - 3:41am