Election Night

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

This election cycle has been, in a word, long.  Long.  Very.  Very.  Long.  Personally, it started as an observer's puzzle:  Who would do what?  Which party would put forth the most inspiring ticket?  How would the country embrace its first viable black candidate?  Would the parties fracture?  How long would Hillary hold out hope?  How many times would Bill Clinton use "I" statements when talking about his wife's candidacy?  How many times would I worry it would come down to style and not substance?

Then things got personal.  For those of you patient souls who have read this whole blog and journeyed through Stickerdom with me, it's not new information for you to learn this election cycle changed something deep within me.  Or maybe my head finally caught up with my convictions?

While the results roll in, I have a few thoughts about what will happen.  For the record, I will be deeply surprised, yet profoundly thankful if John McCain wins.  Should he win, I pray that our nation does not witness riots or outlandish behavior.  One of the incredible characteristics that makes our country great is our history of peaceful transfer of power.  I pray and I hope that nothing mars that legacy. 

Should Obama win, we will continue our slide into socialism.  My fervent prayer is that there are enough moderate Democrats in Congress to reign in what could easily be a Liberal Field Day.  Lest we frighten the children, I won't list all the possibilities of Liberal Carnival Acts.  Or is it Carnivorous Acts?

The upside, as William Kristol has already said brilliantly (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/opinion/03kristol.html) , it will give Republicans time to regroup.  After the debacle of Carter and the Democratic Congress, we got Reagan.  After Clinton and the Democratic Congress, we got Newt.  My prayer is that should we have the opportunity to rethink our position and grow stronger in purpose, we are better prepared to lead.  The Republicans who win the next round need - no, must - be better prepared to lead the country.  (Real Change Newt Gingrich)  We cannot lose the next race through lack of preparation.  I'm not talking about winning the White House.  It's imperative we win the hearts and minds and imaginations of Americans and instill in them the desire to work and strive for the American Dream and lead them to it.  We cannot win Congress and the White House and fail to lead.  That's the lesson of the last decade.

Thank you for taking this journey with me.  It's been illuminating. 

Day 41

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

7 Days to Election

Here we are, seven days to the general election.  I did write that each Sticker deserved a place in the sun and they have received it, just not in print.  Much of the same occurs each day and does not riveting reading make.  Tonight, however, I'm feeling reflective.  What have I learned over the last 41 days of wearing a McCain/Palin sticker?

I have learned I'm tougher than I thought.  Bravado encouraged me to order the 50 stickers and declare I would wear one a day until the election.  The first few days I felt like a cowering, nervous wimp wearing Sticker.  I've never publicly stood for anything, except my alma mater.  Wearing Sticker is personal and declarative.  There is no clever way to declare one is neutral when the current Republican badge clings to one's blouse.  Wearing a sticker means developing a spine and being willing (able) to talk to strangers about politics.  It means speaking about politics with knowledge and conviction.  It means being about to carry on a conversation without yelling, bursting into tears, or generally causing a scene in Target.

I've learned I can stand my ground, even at the possible expense of losing friends.  My entire life has been focused on being acceptable and pleasant.  I've wanted to be liked.  I've learned that it's better to have convictions than to be a agreeable.  I've learned I never felt comfortable as a "yes" girl.  Making a decision based on research works infinitely better for me than trying to fit in or not make waves. 

There are seven days to go.  Sticker and I will be out and about.  Somehow, in the final days of the election, when votes really matter, wearing Sticker doesn't feel like a big deal for me.  If feels like a big deal for John McCain and Sarah Palin.  It's no longer about me as a Sticker-wearer, but about me as a McCain/Palin supporter.

Monday, October 20, 2008 - Wednesday, October 22, 2008

13 Days to Election

Ordered 10 JM yard signs.  Only have one left now.  V. interesting thing occurred today.  Sticker-wearer has lingering head cold.  Went to Dr.  While sitting in waiting room, woman looks at Sticker and asks where received it.  Reply bought it online.  Tell her about yard signs.  Tell her have several left in back of van and can give one.  Cost was $5 each and would love reimbursement.  She sighs and says no, does not have $5 as she has fled her abusive husband.  He emptied their joint checking account just prior to her fleeing.  Give her the yard sign.  Free. Woman begins to share details of split.  Discuss shelter options and ways to get help.  Tell her about local organizations.  Woman clearly shaken.  Reassure her.  Reassure her to not just walk away but to get every dime she can and to protect her future.  Whole conversation brought about by JM sticker.  Interesting seque.

Call one of new friends.  Ask if wants JM yard sign.  YES!  Wants a sign.  Drop off sign at house.  Hear that friend and her DH have grave concerns about BO tax plan.  Friend asks where received Sticker.  Asks for some.  Perfect!  Turns out new friend kindred spirit in several ways.  Lovely. 

Shopping today.  Must buy bread and milk.  While in store, man asks to pass.  Cart blocking path.  Apologize.  Move cart.  Man sees Sticker.  Man says, "excellent Sticker!"  Turns out man worked on Bush campaign.  Man in local media.  Man's wife involved in national security and says Hillary bad news.  Man LOVES SP.  Says SP smart, plain talker, breath of fresh air.

Interesting that closer to election, more comments about Sticker.  More comments about loving SP.  More comments about not wanting BO.  13 days to go.  Will see what happens. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - Sunday, October 19, 2008

16 Days to Election

Challenging time sitting down to write blog.  Have had houseguests.  Then hosted dinner party.  Not conducive to sitting down, thinking about writing blog. 

General thoughts about the past few days:

1. Am very disappointed press has chosen to hunt down Joe the Plumber.  Joe private citizen.  Joe only asked question.  Now used by one campaign as average American and used by another campaign as a liar and tax-dodger.  Something wrong about this.  Have never been a fan of "Jill Smith in Nowhere, America shared with me blah, blah, blah" type of speech.  Had hoped its days were over.  Not so.  Joe idea does represent average small business owner.  Shows very much how bad Obama's plan would be.

2. Still wondering about how friendships influenced by political leanings.  Have many friends.  Not all JM supporters.  Not all BO supporters.  Think varied discussion good.  Still, wondering if core values taught to children reflection of political beliefs and vice versa.

3. Shopped at discount store the other day.  Was in aisle with employee.  Am so used to wearing Sticker now that usually forget Sticker on shirt.  Employee turned and asked where got Sticker.  First thoughts were employee BO supporter: young, employee at discount store, Hispanic.  Told employee bought it online.  She then proceeded to tell me that BO scares her.  !!!  Thinks his tax plan and associations problematic!  Woo-hoo!

4.  Bought JM/SP signs for local friends.  $5 each reimbursement.  Most spoken for.  Only a few left.  Many want yard signs to counter ones on street.

5.  Colin Powell.  Oh, dear.  So sad.  Don't believe he is brain-washed.  Believe Powell simply wrong.  Biggest quote v. problematic for Sticker-wearer. 

And to focus on people like Mr. Ayers and these trivial issues, for the purpose of suggesting that somehow Mr. Obama would have some kind of terrorist inclinations, I thought that was over the top. It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth. I think it went beyond. And to sort of throw in this little Muslim connection, you know, "He's a Muslim and, my goodness, he's a terrorist" -- it was taking root. And we can't judge our people and we can't hold our elections on that kind of basis.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/powell.transcript/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail

Extremely disturbing that a leader in the US would believe that judging someone based on past associations wrong.  Ayers not sorry for attacks.  Ayers never apologize.  Ayers not in jail due to technicality.  JM campaign never say BO a Muslim.  Ayers association, plus Wright, plus Rezko, plus wife only recently "proud to be an American" indicates questionable judgment.  Indicates maybe not proud of country.  Indicates subversive tendencies.  Not saying BO a terrorist.  Saying that BO would associate with terrorist shows maybe not person America needs representing America in talks with Iran, N. Korea, China, Russia, etc.

How damaged society when can no longer say "this is wrong!"  How far astray has US gone?  Feeling v. distressed that many in society feel no one can judge anyone.  Ridiculous.  Did Right and Wrong die?

6.  Visited with friends from socialist democracy over weekend.  Heard many bad stories of Universal Healthcare.  Have one overlying thought - illustrate one gov't run agency as efficient and effective and will change mind that socialist democracy okay.

7.  Tired of election.  Tired of back and forth.  Have obviously made up mind.  Have clearly determined votes.  Can hardly bear to read news.  So ugly.  So biased.  So pro-Left.

8.  Find several things odd.  If press for BO, which press is.  If loud celebrities for BO, which loud celebrities are.  If BO so great, why not a huge lead in polls?  If most Americans love BO, why not 60% likely BO votes?  Race closer than shown. 

In a capitalist society, if you work hard, succeed in what you do, you reap the financial benefits of your hard work.  Yes, you do pay taxes, but the fruits of your labor are yours to enjoy and invest where you see fit. 

In a socialist society,  if you work hard, succeed in what you do, you hand over a significant portion of the financial benefits of your hard work.  Very quickly, the drive to innovate and succeed dissipate.  Who wants to work hard only to be fiscally punished for success?

Eventually, in a socialist society, the engine that fuels the economy - successful businesses - slows and dwindles.  Over time, it cannot support itself as well as a capitalist society.  Yes, there are many social programs that come with socialism: healthcare, day care, welfare, retirement benefits.  But something significant happens: Those who would have had incentive to better their lives through hard work no longer have motivation.  "Desperation is the mother of innovation" isn't just some pretty saying.  There's truth there. 

My question is, if we were to turn to socialism, get cozy and comfy in our social programs, decades from now when the businesses have slowed, thus slowing the economy, how many of us (or our children and grandchildren) who are used to the programs will be willing to give them up to get the economy back on track?  Who will say, yes, please take away my healthcare, daycare, welfare, retirement, and let me work for it and suffer my own consequences?   

Isn't socialism a little (or a lot) like the self-esteem push?  Tell, tell, tell your kids their every second on earth is to be treasured and they are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful in everything, everything, everything they do.  They grow up to have no actual self-esteem.  They have no concept of true self-worth.  

So give, give, give programs to people and make their lives better, better, better.  They eventually have no reason to make their lives better by innovation.  Sure, maybe the first generation does.  But look at the history of trust-fund families.  The first generation worked hard; blood, sweat, and tears to build a business and succeed.  The second generation does little to further the family business.  The third generation is lazy and coasts on name alone (Paris Hilton, anyone?) and squanders the family fortune and name.  The fourth generation picks up the broken pieces and works hard.