Family and Politics

My sister and I recently had an interesting email exchange concerning the 2008 election. I thought she raised a very interesting point when it comes to taxes and government spending (she spent six months abroad teaching in the Dominican Republic):

.....at least we can see many good things coming from our taxes- spend 6 months in the Dominican Republic where the trash doesn't get picked, and the streets have uncovered manholes and potholes, the mail may or may not get delivered and an ambulance may or may not come if you call it- and the power goes out several times a day....Americans are so out of touch with how good they have it- even the poor ones- because there ARE Safety nets in place funded by tax dollars. Plus, its not like people who save all this money in taxes will not figure out another way to get themselves into debt by continuing to live above their means- so they're still working poor and we still have problems that are not being solved by programs because there is less tax money to fund them- stupid, stupid, argument.

These are the facts people. It's one thing to think that government wastes money (which they always have, under Republicans and Democrats). It is another, completely irrational thing, to believe that Americans can just "go it alone" with no taxes to pay a government to perform vital services that most countries can only dream of.


I can't understand why many of my own friends vote exclusively Republican (have no real answer as to "why"...) simply because, "I am conservative- that's how my parents raised me". I am glad as hell that my Mom and Dad did not shove politics down me and my sisters' throats during our upbringing (in fact I never, ever remember the topic ever even coming up (ie. an impassioned tirade about "Us vs. Them" or why one political party or the other is responsible for everything right or wrong in the world)). I've heard it said about both sides, and it does not add up- there have been countless successes and failures on both sides of the aisle. Let us talk about the here and now, and what is best for The United States of America in 2008.

In fact, just recently, my father told me he has only voted for Democrats a handful of times. He would never persuade me to vote for someone though (or be angry with me because my political beliefs differ from his own). But hey, I've voted for a handful Republican state/national congressional candidates in my lifetime, and if there are more out there that I find to be effective legislators, I will again. I try to hear all of the candidates out and call it like I see it (as should you!).

This election is too important to vote the will of your parents or spouse or favorite celebrity or talk show host... or anyone other than- YOU.