Why I Can No Longer Support the Democratic Party
Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008
by Jennifer Cuddy
I used to be an Obama fan. I used to be a Hillary Clinton supporter. Throughout this campaign, I've always secretly assumed that Hillary and Obama would inevitably join together in this race, and that their 'for sure' win would prove to be a revolutionary event in all of history. I was enthusiastically trailing the campaign in good faith that - just maybe - some policy changes might actually be teetering on the fence with some level of optimism. Unfortunately, now, in my opinion, the entire 'hoopla' was all just smoke and mirrors.
Why did Obama and Hillary not join forces in this campaign? Was this a decision made by Obama, or was Obama rejected by Hillary Clinton? Either way, how could this be? How could Obama not recognize the enormous group of Hillary supporters; especially when "Billary" politics were so complementary? Did they want the Democrats to win this election or not? If Hillary chose not to run as VP with Obama, did she ever truly intend to promote the issues that she so passionately championed for all of these years? To come so close, and then bail out? Is it a pride thing? I don't know.
In any case, I think that there are a great deal of Democrats who feel the same way as I do; e.g., betrayed, duped, and confused. I'm not even convinced that Obama intends to win this election. The publicity alone will skyrocket his career - he doesn't even need to win. Just look at the post campaign success of Al Gore: he's won the Nobel Peace prize, and is now more respected post election than pre election.
I think that McCain was quite brilliant to choose Palin as his running mate. He knows perfectly well what Obama has forfeited by not running alongside a woman. Forget Hillary, we now have Palin to take the stand as the first female vice president in history. McCain clearly wants to win this election. I can't say I feel the same way about Obama.
It is because of this apparent failure of the Democratic party to put the will of the people ahead of their own personal interests, that I can no longer support them. If they wanted to win, the time was now! It's all over.
In any case, I think that there are a great deal of Democrats who feel the same way as I do; e.g., betrayed, duped, and confused. I'm not even convinced that Obama intends to win this election. The publicity alone will skyrocket his career - he doesn't even need to win. Just look at the post campaign success of Al Gore: he's won the Nobel Peace prize, and is now more respected post election than pre election.
I think that McCain was quite brilliant to choose Palin as his running mate. He knows perfectly well what Obama has forfeited by not running alongside a woman. Forget Hillary, we now have Palin to take the stand as the first female vice president in history. McCain clearly wants to win this election. I can't say I feel the same way about Obama.
It is because of this apparent failure of the Democratic party to put the will of the people ahead of their own personal interests, that I can no longer support them. If they wanted to win, the time was now! It's all over.
addendum: I'll still vote begrudgingly for Obama... Palin is too scary to be VP. Nevertheless, Obama has a month and a half to pull a rabbit out of a hat.
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More commentsAnother thing that annoys me to no end, is blaming Obama's decline on race. That's just ridiculous. Obama's decline has stemmed from 2 things:1. His choice for VP not being Hillary Clinton2. MCain's brilliant strategic choice for VP: Sarah Palin
Hi Jennifer - I read your response to my question "What is scary about Palin". You talk about book burning? You're big issue is book burning? Are you kidding me? Books are made of paper and, yes, paper burns. We have the technology to print more! The bible and evolution? We as human beings are here now - right now - trying to make the world a better place. You are concerned about what people think about where we came from?Religion has started more wars, and killed more people than any other so called cause in history.Knowing where we came from, or not knowing will not make one bit of difference in the effort the solve the real issues that are challenging americans. Taxes, energy, the economy, etc.We are trying to decide between two presidential candidates and you are concerned about book burning and evolution - and you call Sarah Palin delusional? Take a look in the mirror.By the way, if you are that angry with the democrats and you vote for Obama anyway, you are part of the problem."Religion has started more wars, and killed more people than any other so called cause in history."You've just said it yourself..And this is why I think it frightening to have a candidate who engages in fanaticism as VP.I don't know why you've suddenly decided to jump down my throat, but you're not very convincing that way, but only adding more fuel to the fire. Book burning, creationism, ignoring global warming..maintaining that war is "God's will"Yes those are big deals, because they give us a clear picture of her mindset and values. If you don't think that a candidates mindset and values has anythong to do with their ability to perform as VP or even President, then why all of the fuss over Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky?Either way, I just might have been on the verge of changing my mind, until I read your response. Try telling a Republican that abortion, gay rights or atheism are not big deals. You can't pick and choose ideals that fit your convenience.Now I'm off to work
and p.s. Are you refuting that pollution is destroying the ozone layer?? Pollution is man made, by the way.
Jennifer,I am surprised by your article and comments. Sarah Palin represents the worst instinct of Americans. She is an ICON without intellectual and political substance. As an informed citizen, I take offense that anyone would actually consider Palin a viable choice for Vice President. Obama is not faltering. He is right on target and started by establishing his political machine in various key states. Now he will go to town in an effort to discredit McCain over his economic views. This will not take alot of work since McCain was apart of this economic mess, starting with his ethics probe over the Keating Five. Hillary supporters, ie. women are flocking to Obama noted by the recent polls. They want nothing to do with, please note - A PALIN-MCCAIN campaign... what?Ok! Well, let's hope so..My thoughts were starting to doubt whether or not Obama would or could win.James,You see, this article was written in anger. I'm angry at Obama for making it more difficult for the Democrats to win this election. It is critically important that they do win, he shouldn't have taken any risks!
Hi Jennifer - You said you were on the verge of changing you're mind until you read my response. I didn't know I had that much power over you. Obviously you don't know how to think for yourself. Your decision making process is immature and volitile.Worried about pollution? You cause pollution when you drive your car, heat your house, cook your food, mow your lawn, change your oil, etc. Are you willing to stop doing all of that to save the environment?The last time I posted this response you deleted it. I know the truth can be so hard to look at that you don't even want to let it be a part of this thread. If you have an ounce of integrity, you will be willing to leave this post in place and respond to it. This is a legitimate question. Do you have the courage to respond?Dear Anonymous,The person who is lacking in courage is YOU. Why don't you come out and show some integrity and identify yourself? Anybody can hide behind a nonexistent identity and spew forth a bunch of nonsense. It is easy to do what you are doing. It is cowardly to hide and say nothing important.
I deleted it because I personally think you're a nutcase.
Obviously, you would rather toss a meaningless insult at me than discuss this intelligently. That is because you probably cannot discuss this intelligently. Do you want to grow up and talk?Let's go point by point. You are worried about pollution. The car you drive doesn't create pollution? The fuel you use to cook doesn't create pollution?You personally create all kinds of pollution by just living - just like the rest of us.You cannot step away from the problem of pollution and claim to be separate from it.You don't like or trust the democratic party, but you are willing to empower them with your vote. You think that is an intelligent thing to do?I say a few things, you decide you may just change your vote as a result, and then you say my words have no power over you?It is amazing to me how many people there are out there, just like you, who make accusations about all kinds of things but cannot participate in an intelligent conversation. Why not? What are you afraid of?You write articles about issues that are important to you. Those, like me, who ask questions that ask you to think about how you formed your opinions about important matters, we must be really bad people, right?I know the reason why you do not want to talk to me is because you know I am correct and you know the more you talk to me the more obvious that will become.I am such a terrible person for asking you to take a close look at the information you used to form your opinions, right?It's much easier to call me a nutcase than to intelligently discuss these issues, isn't it?Excuse me, but what is your point? You are not going to change my mind about Palin. Now, you've asked me why I think she is scary, and I've answered your question sufficently.As far your having power over me: don't flatter yourself. The comment was meant as "people like you" i.e., extremists.I have stated above in the article my reasons for questioning the Democratic party, but the lesser evil, to me, is certainly Obama over Palin. This is not a decision I take lightly, and I can not support McCain with Palin.As far as pollution goes: again here you are taking it to the extreme. I hope that eventually we will move to electric cars, or seek oil alternatives. And, yes I have changed my lifestyle accordingly.As far as discussing the issues intelligently: I don't find your arguments to be intelligent. Therefore, I am not interesting in discussing the matter with you further.
"First of all, she promotes book burning in libraries. Secondly, she thinks that the war in Iraq is 'God's will'; thirdly, she denies global warming, and lastly, she refutes Darwin's evolution ( which in my opinion, does not have anything to do with the Biblical story; much like if we ever found out that there were life on other planets wouldn't either. ) To me, this reflects a woman whose mindset is delusional."Jennifer,Regarding the above, I've often stated in my teaching and in my writing, unless you're 100% absolute there's always room for "possibility." "God's will"? Could be. I believe in God but since I don't have direct access to Him, I'm not sure what His will is. "Global warming"? Very complicated. Scientists still don't all agree. And I'm no scientist, so what do I know? (See my article on Global Warming) Highly complex issues, our finite understanding / knowledge, missing knowledge makes it difficult to impossible to be absolute. "Darwin's evolution"? Good theory, but even Stephen Hawking says that no theory is absolute, meanng perfect, can't-touch-it fact. Hell, at one time Pluto was a planet: fact taught in schools. And it's odd or sad that people throw around theories like they are absolute, espcially quantum and relativity which are based in fantisizing (ie: physicits being told by their math to add a fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh dimension to the string theory--physicits admit to their fanticizing). Too many unknowns even for us laypeople to be going absolute on. Peace!
Jennifer,True, book burning in this day 'n age seems rather archaic and odd. And Global Warming is a complex issue, one that for me, at least, is not something I've had the time to look into enough to arrive at an informed opinion. I have a tough time jumping on any bandwagon regarding complex issues. For example, like Illegal Immigration and why people get so hot in discussing it. What's really behind and why it's so front and center it took me many months, research, and speaking to literally hundreds of friends, family, peers, etc. before it sunk in as to what the real issue is: at its core, racism, more than anything else.
And to tell you the truth, I've been too busy to get into the current political goings on to express a well-informed opinion about the current political climate. But I think I speak for the majority when I say that, once again, it comes down to two candidates I don't care for much. What ever happened to that all American philosophy of choice? I understand why we can only chose Dem. or Rep, but in all the years I've been voting I can't remember more than one candidate I was excited about and he ended up dropping out. Hell, I don't even like to be limited in minor choices like ice cream, so how important is it to have many choices for the many perspectives inherent in this great U S of A?
I know, I'm an idealist, but idealist look to better that which is starving for change. Electoral college? Two parties only? Change is needed. I'm just tired of railing against the status quo. I'll do as Mother Teresa. She said she'd never attend an anti-war rally but she would attend a peace rally. May peace reign in all our hearts. Amen. God bless.
(and by the way, I sent you a request for add on goodreads. You never responded. At least I think it was you. Peace!)
Hi Jeff,Sorry it took me so long to respond. I tried this morning, but the article had disappeared! I haven't received a request from you on goodreads, it should be under my name so..But I don't frequent the site at all.As far as the running mates go: I'd be shocked to see Obama win. After seeing Kerry and Gore lose to Bush, I've sort of lost faith. I fear Obama does not have enough political power to win on his own merits. But who knows? Regardless, he should have chosen Hillary as his running mate. If he doesn't win, I'll put the blame on that decision.
Ahh!! New update in favor of Obama over McCain:McCain backed out of the debate!!?How utterly stupid and cowardly!!
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