Probably the only political post I'll make...

[alliancesjr]

...so be warned.

I was having a conversation with my mother this weekend. It was Friday, in fact, since I remember it was sparked by us watching Sarah Palin being chosen the Vice President slot on the Republican ticket. She was completely dumbfounded hearing that I still wasn't sure who I was going to vote for in November. I believe her exact words were "You'd seriously consider putting another Republican in office after the last eight years?"

It's an interesting thing. My mother is very liberal and my father is very conservative. I registered Independant. As Robin put it, "we should have our own wacky theme song."

The conversation surprised me, though, because she could actually tell me why she was voting for Obama. And while I know she's a very intelligent person with a lot of common sense, I had pretty much previously been seeing first-hand the proof of a comment I had read in the Sun-Times a while back. I don't remember who wrote it, it was about a month ago, but it was said that the average person is "hard-pressed to find an Obama supporter that can actually give a reason why, other than peer-pressure or guilt."

And that's pretty much true. I've only seen first-hand a handful of people who can actually tell me why they're voting for Obama. The ones who can, however, can give me pretty damn good reasons.

So why am I still on the fence? Two main reasons. One, I recently spent a week in a strongly Republican household, and one with similarly well-reasoned and intelligent explanations. And two, Obama's done things that I don't agree with, which I won't get into here.

It got me thinking, though. I know people, currently on my friendslist, who are strongly one way or the other. So here's a chance for you to persuade someone who's still a swing voter! Tell me why you're voting for your favored nominee. Give as detailed reasons as you wish! But keep in mind that I will not pay attention to anyone saying "I'm voting for Obama/McCain because I hate the other guy more", "I'm voting Republican/Democratic because I don't want another Democrat/Republican in office", or "I'm voting for Obama/McCain because that's what all the cool people are doing". If you're planning on saying something along any of those lines, don't even bother.

To avoid arguments, comments will be screened. If you wish me to unscreen your comment, say so.

Comments

[suicidekttn.livejournal.com]

I'm very on the fence too, so if you get good points maybe you can share...I don't care who said 'em, I'd just like to hear! (as this isn't my opinion it doesn't need to be screened)

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

That would be awesome, actually.

[evilweevil04.livejournal.com]

Well, here's my reasons why I'm going to vote for Obama.

1. Universal healthcare - I strongly support this, and am really glad Obama picked up on H. Clinton's excitement about it. Opposition says that we'll have increased rates and longer lines, but Canada is doing very well. And any benefits gained from this (ie: medicine/healthcare for EVERYONE) greatly outweighs any small increase in waits/whatever, imo.

2. End to the war - Obama has been against the war since the beginning, and that's very important to me. I think Obama will actively look for a peaceful way out that will ensure continued/growing stability in the region.

3. Connected to that, Obama's interest in continued peace will hopefully lead to better talks with Iran, leading to less chance of nuclear war.

4. Pro-choice and pro-gay marriage. Two key issues for me, Obama is generally pro-rights, and he's specifically said that he'll help ensure these rights.

5. Education - I can't recall the specifics of what Obama has vowed to do, but he sees education as very important, and has discussed making it easier for people to go to college, and for teachers to get higher wages (and also to have higher expectations of teachers, which is good).

6. Going back to the war, Obama has also shown great interest in treating the soldiers better -- ie, no more four or five back-to-back deployments, more money given to them after the war, free healthcare (of course!), etc.

7. I really do think that having a Democrat in office will show the world that we are trying to change. You might've said that this reason isn't a good reason, but I think it is. The past eight years haven't seen much good will given to us from around the world, and electing a Democrat (and one whose whole campaign has focused on the idea that America needs to change its current way of doing things) is a good step toward regaining our spot as a country to be proud of.

I know there are other reasons, but it's late and that's what comes to mind right now. I can add more later, as needed/as I remember/whatever.

And why I'm -not- voting for McCain. (I think both why and why not's are important in making a decision, so I'm including them.) They're not as well-informed as my Obama opinions, mostly because I haven't watched McCain's speech yet, but here's what I think right now, based on what I know right now:

1. The war will continue. McCain has said nothing that I know of re: stopping the war. He sees it's current progress as a-okay, and that's simply not right. The war is a major voting issue for me. Palin has also said that she thinks the war is "God's work."

2. Speaking of ... Palin is a big reason for me to vote against McCain now. Everything I know about Palin is completely against what I believe. She's anti-choice, anti-environmentalist, anti-expanded-education (a term I just made up to describe the fact that (a) she wants to teach creationism in schools and (b) supports ONLY abstinence-only sex-ed programs), and very unexperienced. She's been governor of Alaska for twenty-two months. Before that, she was mayor of a town with nine thousand people. She is completely unqualified and if McCain passes during his term, we are SCREWED.

3. I feel like McCain, in general, switches his views and what issues he pushes depending on what demographic he's aiming for. He seems to be really pushing extremely conservative views as he's campaigning, but in the past he hasn't been THAT far to the right. So I don't know what to think about him.

4. During the past eight years, McCain has agreed with Bush's policies 90% of the time. Considering how little I agree with Bush's policies, I don't want to endorse another four years of the same.

I guess that's all for now. It's quite a lot, I suppose, so I'll leave it at that.

(Also, you can unscreen my comment, if you like.)

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

Definite points, all of them, but I'd like to touch upon one specific one at the moment (though not to seem like I'm completely ignoring the others).

In terms of Education, what exactly do you mean by "making it easier for people to go to college"? Are you talking in terms of lowering the recruiting standards, or raising the funds for scholarships? Because everything I've seen so far is more towards the former. And yes, I'm talking about both sides of the issue. Both Obama and McCain are in favor of the No Child Left Behind program, though Obama says it just needs more funding. And I really don't agree with that.

[evilweevil04.livejournal.com]

Well, regarding college, Obama's plan is twofold: 1. He'll start a program that will cover the first chunk of college (I forget how much, but it's a substantial amount.. something like 2/3-3/4 of an average college education, and something that would more than cover a degree at a community college). and 2. He plans to streamline the financial aid process, making it much easier and more accessible. So, generally, making college much more affordable and everything.

As for No Child Left Behind, he does agree with the principle, but thinks it was way too underfunded (very true) and that it was simply executed poorly. From barackobama.com, "Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests." That really appeals to me, because as the daughter and sister of two teachers, I hear about how frustrating it is to feel very penned in re: the curriculum. In fact, both my family members are, this year, teaching grades that -take- those standardized tests, and it's tough. But I think Obama's take on the program will change the way things are graded/assessed, instead leading to a stronger system.

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

No Child Left Behind is a really good idea...on paper. It's a fantasy world, and the ideal situation for anyone thinking of improving the education system in this country.

But no amount of funding will ever make it actually work in the real world. It's physically impossible. Not unless you do it on a state-wide basis instead of a national one, and even then it's stretching the limits of causality.

[evilweevil04.livejournal.com]

Okay. But, if like you said, both McCain and Obama aren't talking about right out throwing NCLB out the window, is it really a voting issue? If this is that important to you, better to choose the candidate who recognizes that it hasn't worked that well these past few years and has proposed specific alterations, right?

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

I would if there was one. McCain says it's fine how it is, and Obama says all it needs is more funding, which I really don't believe will help, and I don't want my tax dollars to go into that program.

Which means that, in terms of the Education system in this country, I'm back at square one. That's why I was hoping the "college more accessible" thing you mentioned wasn't an extension of that, which it doesn't look like, but I'll have to research it more. If that's what it is, well, that's a point in Obama's favor with me.

Education has a bit more weight for me than most other things right now, to be entirely honest. Both my parents have teaching licenses, even though only one of them is an active high school teacher at the moment. My aunt and uncle from Alabama are university professors (one with a published book!), two of my aunts in St. Louis teach grade school, my cousins in Seattle are home-schooled, and at least one of my closest friends is currently a teacher. I'm surrounded by it daily, and it does affect me.

[evilweevil04.livejournal.com]

It affects me too, Kevin. And it affects my brother and mother, both of whom are elementary school teachers. And that's why we're voting for Obama.

[veridian-knight.livejournal.com]

Ralph Nader.
Avoiding the negatives about the other parties and my hatred of one party masquerading as two...
I shall state that I support most of Nader's points, especially the ones regarding the environment, personal liberties, and opposition to to military adventurism.
Also, he seems an honest candidate.

Failing that, I would have to vote for C'thulhu, as I did in the previous election... Why settle for the lesser Evil. ;)

Unscreen or erase to your heart's content, altho I would like to defend the position of picking a candidate simply to avoid a different candidate. If a case can be made for how horrible a person would be, and that the other person is less horrible, it is still a comparison of validities, just a cynical one.

[evilweevil04.livejournal.com]

I want to preface this with the fact that I'm really seriously not trying to spark a fight or anything, but this can be a touchy subject, so please trust me that I'm not being a bitch. I'm just wondering why you would vote for a third party candidate. Do you think Nader has a chance at winning, or is your vote more of a personal statement and less of a way to try to affect the Presidency? I do think a multi-party system could be great -- it seems to work for England (although they have a completely different government form..) -- but I think it's a long time coming here. What are your thoughts on the perhaps futility of voting for Nader? If you want to answer. 8D

[noelct.livejournal.com]

[go ahead and unscreen]

I'm not going to tell you who I'm voting for, but I certainly didn't make up my mind through bullying, peer-pressure, guilt, or a vast dislike of the other individual.

I went to their individual websites and read as much of their policy literature as I could. Then I looked up their voting records to not only see how their policies line up with past decisions, but who they worked with on each of their bills. Then I watched the speeches, interviews, and appearances, not to hear what they say (because they're always limited by what they can say) but how they handle themselves, how they lay out their information, how they talk with or to people.

And now I'm waiting for the debates. No matter how much prep work they do, there's always some amazing tells when they're in a situation they can't entirely control.

So wait. Don't make up you mind yet. Read their literature. Read their history. Compare, contrast, cross reference. Don't listen to their speeches, observe their speeches. Analyze. And wait for the final bits of telling evidence in the debates.

Hope this has been some help.

you can unscreen me if you feel it won't start a war

[hunnybee929.livejournal.com]

I'm voting Democrat because I don't want another Republican in office, especially since I didn't vote for the last one either time. Haha, just kidding.

Frankly, neither candidate has greatly impressed me, but Obama does a better job of making me want to vote for him. I could give you all the reasons other people have given below, but I'll give you the basic and main one.

McCain believes NCLB is perfect the way it is.

Obama believes NCLB is perfect the way it is, but thinks it needs more funding and teachers should get paid more.

They're both morons, but Obama wants to pay me more to put up with this worthless crap. Frankly, what we really need is to put more responsibility on students and (especially) parents, but since our society prefers scapegoats, give me more money for being your scapegoat! I'm going to need that money to pay for the ulcer surgery and mental institution when I have a breakdown from the stress.

Thank you Mr. Clinton for letting one of your aides come up with NCLB. I hope that aide gets to spend an eternity in hell teaching high schoolers in a school that is not passing NCLB. You have so many options to choose from across the nation...