In the not too distant future, tens of millions of my fellow Americans and I will make our way to the voting booth to either re-elect President Barack Hussein Obama or elect former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney,
President of the United States of America.
I consider myself to be fairly conservative. I believe our government should be fiscally responsible. I am a strong supporter of our military and a strong proponent for capital punishment. I believe that most wars are unnecessary. I believe that a strong modern military is a deterrent to war. I believe that its patriotic to pay our taxes and that while we should limit the amount of government sponsored transitional assistance programs; I see no reason why we shouldn't take better care of our elderly citizens and our disabled veterans. I don't believe that any American corporation should receive tax cuts if they export American jobs or have more foreign employees, than American. I believe that all Americans should have access to health care. I believe in the fundamental right of all Americans to own guns. I just don't believe that anyone except our military or police or security personnel should own automatic weapons or handguns. I believe that ALL Americans should enjoy the same rights and privileges.
Over the years my views on politics have slowly evolved. However, deep down inside I'm that same guy that voted for the very first time in 1984. That year I went to the polls in order to vote against a very popular president.
Years later when I lived in the New Orleans, Louisiana metropolitan area the governor's name was Edwin Edwards. He was a Democrat and what I would call a consummate sleazebag politician. After he left the governor's mansion, he spent quite a few years in federal custody for racketeering. He was no angel. However, when he ran against former Klansman David Duke for governor, I found that I had no choice but to vote for the man. Sadly, often when I've voted in an election, I find myself not necessarily voting for a candidate, but for the lesser of two evils. But I will give Edwin Edwards this, he was one funny son of a bitch.
These are just a few quotes credited to Governor Edwards:
"The only way I can lose is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy."
"I never speak ill of dead people or live judges."
"I did not do anything wrong as a governor, even if you accept the verdict as it is, it doesn't indicate that."
"I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen."
"I did not do anything wrong as a governor, even if you accept the verdict as it is, it doesn't indicate that."
"I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen."
Dude was funny.
While in the past on a fairly regular basis I've had to vote against one candidate, rather than for one; I don't have to do that this time. This time I will go to the polls to vote for President Obama. I can't say that I have always agreed with the choices that the president has made or even the way in which he's gone about leading. But all in all, I think he's done a pretty good job as president.
....besides, I just can't vote for anyone named Mitt.
Truth be told, I'm not part of that 47% that doesn't pay taxes that Romney's just not concerned about. I'm part of the other 53% that actually does pay taxes. But I just don't feel the same way about that other 47% as Romney does. As far as I'm concerned, Mitt is a goddamned fool for even talking about what he sees as that reality. Perhaps he doesn't realize that when you're running for president you need every single vote that you can get; and that you're not supposed to try and alienate anyone from voting for you.
Truth be told, I'm not part of that 47% that doesn't pay taxes that Romney's just not concerned about. I'm part of the other 53% that actually does pay taxes. But I just don't feel the same way about that other 47% as Romney does. As far as I'm concerned, Mitt is a goddamned fool for even talking about what he sees as that reality. Perhaps he doesn't realize that when you're running for president you need every single vote that you can get; and that you're not supposed to try and alienate anyone from voting for you.
Given the supersized shit sandwich that Barack Obama was served the day he took office, without the benefit of cheese or ketchup mind you, I'd say he's done a pretty fair job as president.
He's gotten us out of the war in Iraq and I have every hope that he will get us out of the war in Afghanistan in a second term. He successfully passed health care reform. President Obama enacted legislation to control Wall Street excesses. The stimulus package he passed may have kept our country out of another depression. Our president acted to save the American automobile industry and the millions of jobs that support it, both internally and externally. He expanded Pell grant spending. Our president increased federal spending for veterans. He ushered through Congress various changes that enhanced civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. There has been steady job growth since he's taken office. He reversed torture policies and greatly improved our image abroad. President Obama took a realistic common sense approach to defense and the so called war on terror. He repealed "don't ask, don't tell" and he ordered the elimination of Osama Bin Laden. He expanded stem cell research and trade agreements around the world. He's also NOT done something that our last few presidents failed to do and that is to stay AWAY from embarrassing scandals.......and he hasn't looked like a complete fucking imbecile like our last president.
While I have voted in every major election since I turned 18, I realize that everyone isn't me. For whatever reason everyone doesn't seem to be interested in the political process. I take my civic duty seriously and I believe that everyone that is eligible to vote, should do so. I don't expect everyone to agree with me. I realize that I am a product of my upbringing and the environment that I was exposed to. However, I am forever perplexed as to why poor white trash in it's millions shows up consistently to vote Republican. Republican policies don't favor the poor; and yet, they show up early, unwashed, shoeless, toothless, uninsured, uneducated and determined to vote. They have more in common with inner city people, than they do with Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan or even that blowhard Rush Limbaugh; yet they vote Republican anyway. In a logical world, socioeconomic status should supercede race.....one would think anyway.
Whether someone agrees with my politics or not, I believe that all Americans should vote.
Oh and one more thing; here's a message for all you slow, backwards assed, shallow minded, toothless, inbred, dullard, racist, take a bath once a week whether you need one or not tea bagger types.
All of this! It pisses me clean off when people complain about whom ever the current president is but when asked who they voted for...they don't vote!!
ReplyDeleteI was so proud when I turned 18 and was able to vote! It had been drilled in my head the importance of voting for as long as I can recall. I mean thinking about ancestors that died for the right, smh, I just can't take it lightly...
You know Tarsha, I feel the same way. However, a few years back when I wrote a post about politics and how I thought it was complete and utter bullshit for someone to complain about our government, but not vote....someone pointed out to me that they had a right NOT to vote. I thought about that.....it's fundamentally true......but ultimately it's a cop out to me. The way I see it, if you're gonna talk about it, be about it.
DeleteIt is a serious responsibility and I don't take it lightly either Tarsha.
And I endorse this wholeheartedly! Yes, yes, yes! Get out and vote! Vote your mind, your heart and your soul, because if you don't...complaining just don't mean a thing. This is something we have to do for yourself, and your kids, and those who will come after you. We fought, died, for the right to vote an even today they want to deny us that right. It is your right! Thanks Reggie for the reminder that we all need....get out an vote!
ReplyDeleteMizRepresent I hear those that say that we should stay home from the polls. To them, I say go straight to hell!!!
DeleteIt's an honor to vote. It's a right that was earned with blood, sweat and a helluvalot of tears. It's a right that I will honor until the day that I die.
I feel as passionately as you do on the subject. As a native New Orleanian, I have to agree that Edwards was hilarious. I did not have the pleasure of voting for him because I wasn't of age yet. It's my opinion that too many people fought, marched, protested and were arrested so that I could have the luxury of having my vote count. It's my civic duty, my American right. I will vote until I cannot anymore. Oh and I could never vote for a cat named Mitt. His parents didn't even have the decency to give him a proper name so dude cannot be trusted ha!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I did like Edwin Edwards. He was a rather interesting person and a very flamboyant politician. Corrupt as hell, but dude had personality and he built coalitions. He was big on civil rights when a lot of politicians were not.
DeleteYeah Mitt, what kind of shit is that?!?
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DeleteI love love LOVE this post! Everything in it, I wholeheartedly agree!! When you list out all of Obama's accomplishments, it's hard to understand why anyone would say he did a bad job. He was definitely handed a sh*t sandwich, and he turned it around the best he could. More importantly, he did accomplish what he said he would during his campaign. He wasn't just blowing smoke. I was raised pretty liberal but got more conservative as I got older, but my values are still the same. I don't prescribe to any party, per se, but there is absolutely no way I'd vote for Mitt. His platform is completely opposite of my ideals, his politics are dirty, and he makes a complete ass out of himself everytime he's out of the country and doesn't even apologize for it. I couldn't wait to be eligible to vote. It was a bigger deal for me than turning 21. I'll be mailing in my vote again this year, like I did for the last election. I can't wait for all this to be over. I really hate the smear campaigns and I just wanna sleep better knowing we have Obama at the helm again for another four years.
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy that you enjoyed the post LakiSwirl. Actually our president has many many more accomplishments than the few meager ones I listed here. The ones I listed just stood out to me. I'm sure that there are many people who could have easily given dozens of accomplishments.
DeleteAll in all, given what he started with he's done a pretty good job.
I don't agree with any political parties platform in it's entirety. When I read this after initially reading it I realized that I might have come out overly on the right. While I'd like to say that is true, the reality is that overall I don't think like people like Mitt or Rush or Hannity. I like to think that I am more of a humanitarian. They are all mean spirited and they speak of race, when I wouldn't.
As long as I am able, I will take my rusty ass to the polls and vote.
Miz brought me to this post and I am glad she did!! I feel you on the responsibility of voting and agree with often not being able to vote "for" someone rather than against someone... this is an opportunity to vote for someone again, as President Obama has handled the mess he inherited as well as can be expected, exceeding in some areas, not so much in others, but being forthright and as "forward" as his campaign slogan. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteWell Big Mark you're always welcome to come back on a regular basis.
DeleteYes we all have a responsibility to vote. I have heard that in some churches ministers are instructing their flock to stay away from the polls because of our president's stand on gay marriage; which to me is absolutely ridiculous. How does anyone look at another adult and propose to tell them who they can and cannot love?!? No matter what you believe we all have to look at the totality of a candidate. The fact that I agree with the president is irrelevant. I wonder if some of those ministers remember that just a short time ago in our nation's history that they wouldn't have been granted a voice to make that stupid statement. There was a time when if they were heard to speak to loudly, they'd end up in a tree. They'd be some of that strange fruit that the trees here in South Carolina used to bare on a regular basis.
Based on his performance our president deserves four more years.
LOVE this blog post, and I very much agree with it! I remember when my mother complained during George W Bush's administration but then I had to remind her that she was too busy to vote and hadn't done so since JFK. I was pissed. She has now voted since Clinton.
ReplyDeleteReggie, I like your honesty, and I can relate to alot of what you wrote. Alot of the time we do vote for the lesser of two evils, but like you said, I can't vote for Romney, and it doesn't even have anything to do with his name.
I'm glad you enjoyed the post Alieux.
DeleteI honestly don't think that George HW Bush was a bad president, though I didn't agree with him on a fairly regular basis. His son, is an imbecile, but the father had good sense. I didn't agree with much of what he said, but he said the things he said with great conviction and he was an intelligent man with integrity. George Herbert Walker Bush ran the CIA during the cold war, that had to be a challenge. His son ran this country into the ground and many of the voices against the president today helped him do it. When George HW Bush attempted to clean up Ronald Reagan's 8 years of nonstop tax cuts with a slight tax increase, he paid for it at the polls and Bill Clinton ended up getting elected president. Even after his "read my lips" statement, he recognized that the right thing to do was to raise taxes.....and he did. Clearly now, we need to raise taxes to pay off our growing national debt and yet no one is talking about that.
I can't vote for Romney because he's an empty suit. He criticizes and yet he can't specifically say what he'd do different beyond cutting taxes for he and his friends. There has to be more than that. We can't get out of this fix by cutting taxes, clearly we need more revenue.
Someone has to be the adult in the room. Just like Rome fell, we can fall too.
Reg, you all UP IN my back door with this one because I remember having to vote between Duke and Edwards as if it was yesterday...the lesser of two evils for sure! Edwards was smiling like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland because he KNEW he was in!LOL
ReplyDeleteMy family is a voting family....we go to the polls together. When my kids were young, I'd take both of them into the booth with me and I'd let them press the button for our candidates. By the time they were teens, they couldn't wait to vote..it's the first thing they wanted to do when they reached 18.
I agree with you, those who don't vote need to shut the heck up! Reminds me of these crazy ass folks who always want to talk about black men being put in jail by "the man" but when I ask them if they serve jury duty, I always get "Oh NO, I don't do that!" Well shit, how your ass is gonna complain about all white jurors if you're not in the selection pool!?! And it really pisses me off because this city is majority black and they look at me crazy when I tell them that, I actually volunteered for jury duty more than a few times right after Katrina so people could receive due process.
Raggedy bastards.
Sorry, I vented Reg...lol
This is the place to vent BayouCreole, that's why Reggie's Rantings is here.
DeleteThe day of that election between Edwards and Duke I was out and about knocking on doors and driving people to the polls to vote. It seemed so very important then....just like this election is important now.
We all need to vote and serve jury duty. That's basic civic duty and why wouldn't we want to have a voice?!?
You can't complain about anything to do with politics in my book if you're not willing to participate in the process.
This is an awesome post and I agree whole-heartedly! I don't think I could have written this as eloquently as you have! Kudos! Sadly though, there are still so many that do not vote, yet they want to complain and point fingers - they simply need to shut-up!
ReplyDeleteWhile I thank you Crystal, I don't believe that I would have described this post as eloquent. I was actually quite angry when I was writing it and I wondered if that actually came out in some of my word choice.
DeleteBut I will say that the people that complain shouldn't open their mouths if they're too trifling to vote.
I could tell you were angry and it came through as such, but I had to consult my trusty dictionary to make sure i wasn't using eloquent out of context and I wasn't. Eloquent means having or showing clear and forceful expression or clearly showing some feeling or meaning. I didn't say elegant. LOL
DeleteThank you Crystal.
DeleteThere are times that I write something and I'm in a very good or jovial mood and it comes across in the end product. Then there are times when I am so pissed off that I could almost explode and that comes across in the end result as well. During either time, my word choice could become quite common. Eloquent also takes into account the term "appropriate" and I must admit that most of the time I am damned inappropriate in my writings here. Then again, I suppose thats why this blog is called Reggie's Rantings. My grandmother used to always say that a man that uses profanity does so because he lacks the proper vocabulary to get his point across.
But.....yeah it was forceful and it was clear and I like to think I'm always articulate.
Please do come again Crystal.
I co-fucking sign son!!
ReplyDeleteYou know I had a dude send me a FB message that said that he is not voting for President Obama because he found out that he was a foriegn exchange student and his college records are forged along with his birth certificate. The stupidity of my fellow "Americans" astounds me some times.
Thank you son.
DeleteWhy won't those conspiracy theory wannabes just go ahead and come out and say what the problem really is.......they don't want to have a black president. They are always carrying on about freedom of speech and their blessed freedoms granted by all those dead, wise white men that founded this country. Why can't they just go ahead and exercise that freedom to tell the fucking truth. All of this bullshit about birth certificates and Muslim alliances and secret hand shakes aside.....why can't they just say that they don't want that "darkie" in The White House?!?
Now, the whole birth certificate thing? That's what got my panties in a wad. Dude, I WORK for the government. They bend you over and look at every nook and cranny of your life. Lie if you want to about some documentation, they will find out.
DeleteYou don't think they scrutinize the people in leadership any less?
THAT birther ish is what makes me not take the repubs seriously. They suppose to be smarter than that. If theyre not dumb, then they are making dumb excuses. They would do better just to say they don't want a negro in charge...
That's my issue too LadyLee, why lie?!? Why pretend its anything other than the simple truth that they're uncomfortable with the fact that a man of color is THEIR president. Why lie? Why not be open and honest and exercise some of those freedoms they're always harping on?!?
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Anonymous if you will kindly forgive my bluntness....but you smell kinda like SPAM to me.
DeleteI'm like you: I vote because it is my civic duty to vote.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is no way I'm voting for Mitt either. I am a swing voter, and I look at all the alternatives. He is NOT an alternative. I usually end up voting for the lesser of two evils.
I wish we had more than 2 political parties. That would make things more interesting, and more fair. Sigh
There are times that I feel the same way about the two party system LadyLee, but this isn't one of those years. If we had another party this year, I'm afraid it might split the vote and Governor Romney might end up with four years to lead this country to ruin.
DeleteI wonder though why better men don't run for president. It might benefit us to have a proper business person run this government; however, I don't think that person is Mitt Romney.
Reggie,
ReplyDeleteI am going to be honest with you...I just couldnt read this because it is a highly emotional topic and I am not trying to get pissed off right now. I know exactly who I am voting for. Tired of all this fuckery bs...I cant believe that this man actually has supporters...When its CLEAR he would fuck the country up worse than Bush...SMH
Politics and the political process are emotional topics for so many of us JStar. While I am quick to say I am a patient man, that's just not so most of the time. It's frustrating to me to listen to the rhetoric and see all the bullshit posturing again and again. Oh yes, I do feel you.
DeleteHere is where I show the fascist in me and how unpopular I can be.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the President but I don't feel bad because I'm sure if he knew me he wouldn't like me either. I am probably a little too left of center for him and apparently you too. Even though it's not really a federal issue, I don't believe the death penalty proves anything but how barbaric we can be to others. I also don't believe that the big "military industrial complex" has ever kept us out of a war, but instead has kept rich people rich at the expense of ordinary people trying to find a safe road that they could get to work on or a school where they could educate their children adequately. I, like you, also believe that everyone should be entitled to the same rights that others have, but I also think, like Orwell stated in Animal Farm, that there are some people at least intellectually who are more equal than others.
For that reason I welcome the idea that there are people who don't vote.
I find the idea of people who just because they have reached 18 are eligible to vote a fallacy. People who are without knowledge of the issues or questions at hand but rely solely on their own biases and prejudices should not be given the right and ability to decide the direction and welfare of my life. It's completely abhorrent to me.
I'm not really trying to sound like Romney, but if the only reason that someone can find to vote is because one guy is black and the other guy isn't, or one guy looks like he might have a beer with them and the other guy will destroy your marriage, well then they should stay at home. I for one don't really care how this segment of the population thinks or feels as long as it doesn't affect my future. I don't need them to vote if they don't know what the vote truly represents.
Everyone should vote.
DeleteCurious I can certainly understand and respect your opinions. You're a product of your upbringing and environment just like I am.
I had serious doubts about President Obama's first two years and I've said that many many times. I thought that he missed many opportunities for that change he kept talking about given that Democratic House and Senate he had back then.
As far as the death penalty is concerned, I'm an advocate. What I do know is that if we used it properly child molesters wouldn't do it again once they got caught. Murderers wouldn't do it again once they got caught. And I don't think that my tax dollars should have to go to feeding and caring for someone for 20 years or more.
When the so called founding fathers sat down to write our Declaration of Independence and Constitution it was their original intentions that only landowners would vote, not the common man.
Our military keeps us safe. If we didn't have it, we'd probably get attacked again and again. This I believe with all my heart. Our ability to respond keeps us safe.
Everyone should vote Curious. Young or old, black or white, male or female, beautiful or ugly, tall or short, straight or gay and educated or uneducated; it really shouldn't matter. Everyone should vote.
I've never voted for anyone because of the color of their skin and I won't. All things being equal, that's a pretty stupid reason for someone to vote for another person if you ask me. At the beginning of the last election I was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. As the election went on, my mind changed.
Everyone should vote.
Me too, I was a Hillary man myself until 2008 when she advocated a gas tax holiday along with McCain and I realized that she was a populist and would do or say anything to get what she wanted and so that wouldn't be the woman for me. As for the other stuff, I think we shall have to disagree with each other until the end of time or the Mayan calendar, whichever comes first.
ReplyDeleteWell since the world isn't going to end this year I'm sure we can talk about politics the day after the Mayan calendar says it's going to end Curious.
DeleteI agree with you. It pisses me off for people to say i'm not voting for Obama because of his failed policies when they know the real reason is because he's black. You ask them to give an example of a failed policy that has an impact on their life in the last 3 1/2 years and of course they can't tell you. Why? Because they haven't got a clue. They listen to repeated lies by news outlets like Fox and the Republicans in office and just accept it as reality.
ReplyDeleteI watch Fox News occasionally Roz and earlier this week they were questioning the polling organizations that they so vehemently agreed with just after the close of the Republican convention. If the facts don't support your argument......just ignore the facts.
DeleteThe thing about our country is that we all have freedom of speech. It's one of those rights that those tea bagger types are always carrying on about. However, even they refuse to come out and just state the simple truth about their problem with our president's permanent suntan. God forbid the bastards tell the truth Roz.
this is an awesome post Reggie. It was very spot on and I appreciate your point of view.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much flawed with the campaign especially when someone is somewhat set up for failure. There is so much I and me instead of the people which these politicians claim to represent. No one person can please all people and there are things that I do not agree with and there are times when the President would simplu ManUp and stop playing so damn nice but I try to understand. I will vote because these decisions impact me directly. The economy has directed me directly along with healthcare and studenta aid and especially because it makes me feel good that I did my part. No need to complain situations that you dont put forth an effort in changing.
We all have a stake in this election Freckles. It's imperative that everyone go to the polls and exercise their right to vote.
DeleteWell said!!! In the past, I too have voted for the lesser of two evils and I'm so proud to be able to vote for a president I believe in and whose ideals line up with mine. He doesn't do everything I like but what I do love is that he truly believes in doing what's right....not just jocking for political power. And for Mitt to say something as idiotic and obviously self serving as not "worrying about the 47%", I could have fell out of my chair. Private dinner or not, his voiced thoughts alone prove to me what this is about for him. SMH
ReplyDeleteThere are times Fashion Pad when I think that if we really and truly knew what was in the hearts of most politicians, that we'd all probably retch.
DeleteNo, I don't agree with many of the things that the president has done, but clearly there is a marked distinction between he and Mr. Romney. Under no circumstances could I possibly vote for someone like Mitt.
Interesting post! Thanx for your nice comment!
ReplyDeleteThank you and you're quite welcome Princie, please come again.
DeleteI really love this post. It gets straight to the point. I am conservative in some of my views but tend to lend more to the left when it comes to politics.
ReplyDeleteEverybody should vote especially since black folks didn't always have the right to do so and those before us sacrificed a lot to give us the opportunity. There should be no excuse not to show up at the polls.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this post Melissa.
DeleteI agree with you. Our ancestors suffered too many indignities for us not to vote. I just don't understand why so many people of color refuse to vote. It just makes no sense to me.
Interesting post.. The bottom line is regardless if you choose the right or wrong candidate, vote. Don't live with "let the chips fall were they fall" then complain when it bites you in the assist...
ReplyDeleteThat is true 1manview, this is true. Everyone should vote, even the fools.
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Deleteha. hell yes man...voting is essential (if you can meet the ID requirements--sorry, they make it harder and harder)...and i agree on the shit sandwich obama was served...i have a hard time with the elitist comments romney has made in voting that direction at all...
ReplyDeleteYou know Brian, deep down I'm sure that Mitt Romney is a decent man. I just don't understand why a businessman....and that's what he claims to be; can seriously talk about cutting taxes when our deficit is as high as it is, while speaking of increasing military spending by 2 trillion dollars.
DeleteThat doesn't even begin to make sense to me.
I am happy to read this...Obama is also my choice for your President. I hope most of you guys vote~
ReplyDeleteI wish that everyone would take the time to go to the polls, however, experience tells me that won't happen.
DeleteThe great unwashed show up to vote Republican because they don't know any better. It's a shame.
ReplyDeleteThe real shame is that they have far more in common with those inner city folks than I do Mlvlatina. Politics should be about socioeconomic realities; yet their reality is surrounding religion, race and perception.
Delete