I've realized that I am a political beggar. Needy, greedy, or just plain seedy (hey-oh!), I ask people for a lot of things. I thought that I would explain myself in my returning article for IUplanet.
What I want to discuss is why this election is not just crucial for our country, but in fact why if this election doesn't go a certain way (or goes a specific different way), that our generation could become what I would call a "Lost Political Generation", thus screwing our children. So let's get to work.
Here's a highlight list (always easier to read) for the BEST CASE SCENARIO for the country:
1. After these June 3rd primaries (this Tuesday in Montana--Democrats, New Mexico--Republicans, and South Dakota--Both), Hillary Clinton delivers a long overdue concession speech with Obama at her back, christening him the 'next president' and unifying the party with the most friendly speech she's ever given. Primaries=Over.
2. John McCain picks a non-threatening, young running mate with conservative street cred (if there is such a thing) to broaden his appeal and grab some votes where he is going to need it most--with the Party loyalists in the Southern states, Evangelical community,
Dittohead crowd. This makes him stronger with his base, making for a more interesting election cycle/fundraising battle against the juggernaut of the Obama campaign.
3. The general election cycle goes off with many policy debates on the virtue of current American foreign policy strategy (or, more accurately,
strategery) and how we can ease the pains of this current "
market correction," among other important issues, like
flag lapel pins.
4. The general election, which is November 5th this year, goes off with clear skies across the country, and people vote based on the issues, deciding what kind of country they want to live in. God Bless America.
Now, here's a scenario that I will go ahead and call the LIKELY, HORRIBLE, NO-GOOD-VERY-BAD SCENARIO. Get ready:
1. After Tuesday's final primary results, Hill-Dawg makes a bogus claim about winning the popular vote and says that we should make Puerto Rico a state (I agree with her, but it's not a campaign issue, and so, I tear my hair out) because of her landslide victory there. She also claims that we should move the capital of our country to Fort Lauderdale, as a strategy to help the Democrats wins
Florida, something that has been difficult in the past. Barack Obama decides to leave the country and run for President of Kenya.
2. John McCain declares war (literally) on the Democratic Party, now renamed the "Oh Sh*t We Did It Again" Party by DNC Chairman Howard Dean (of BYYYAAAHHHHH fame) by gritting his teeth and rolling up his
sleeves.
3. At the Democratic Convention in Denver, Hill-Dawg wins the nomination by casting a vicious glare at the superdelegates, thus ending the party and sending them into 20 years of losing elections.(I have nothing against Hillary Clinton, but if she was to win the nomination, the Democratic Party by whatever name would be destroyed for the next several presidential and Congressional contests.)
4. John McCain picks Rush Limbaugh as his running mate in an attempt to round up conservatives. Millions cheer (in their parents' basements), while even more millions cross the Rio Grande into Mexico for fear that Rush will convince McCain that anyone who doesn't listen to his show is an 'illegal alien'.
5. Despite his powerhouse of Limbaugh fans, McCain loses. To
Ralph Nader.
6.
The world explodes.
Happy? I know I am.
So here's my point: This election season, get out and get educated. For many of us, this is our first time voting for a President, myself included. John Adams said "Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people." And how true that quote is.
To end on a serious note (the sarcasm shall return next time), I'd like to leave some links to sites that can help provide you all with candidate information, no matter what party you like or don't like, no matter where you live. And as always, if anyone has any questions or comments, you can message me or leave a comment
This is our country: take it back.
Project Vote Smart:
Project Vote Smart - American Government, Elections, Candidates and Voting
Indiana Secretary of State:
www.in.gov/sos/elections/*candidates*/
Office of the Clerk of the United States Congress:
http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/election.html
The Washington Post Campaign 2003 Project:
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/
USA Today Candidate Match Game:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/candidate-match-game.htm
OnTheIssues.Org:
http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm
And many more. Googling it takes
10 seconds, but these people represent you for
two, four, and six years.
Be Informed. Be Powerful.
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