__._,_.___How to change someones political opinion.
The following is an
Un-paid political ad, approved by rel.
http://www.speakout.com/index.htmlThe
USA's quadrennial presidential election is fast upon us, and as I browse familiar as well as new blogs I find essentially three camps; the Republican camp and the Democratic camp who at this point in the campaign seem to be even in the polls and of course there is the ~ I don't give shit~ camp. There is also a small smattering of independents, (They are the ones who say that they'll decide on who to vote for based on the issues alone.)
No matter which side I'm exposed to; main stream media, blatant partisan media,
bloggers, and face to face, there is a propensity of vitriolic comments, and a paucity of intelligent weighing of issues. Now if you're reading or listening to the view
point to which you yourself ascribe then everything sounds reasonable, fair, and logical. On the other hand if you've chosen the opposing camp then what ever you see and hear is lies,
mis-statements, same old
political posturing and pandering. The real deal seems to be lost in the twisting, tweaking and
shadowing the truth. The worst of it all is that at the end of their eloquently stated position the always say: Wake up America or we're doomed!
The political activists, politicians and the various media have
succeeded in polarizing the 50-60% of the voting public who actually turn out to cast a ballot. It's like they want the campaign to resemble reality TV programing such as Survivor, or American Idol. Is it any wonder that half the
eligible voters in this country
disdain the process and shun the voting booth?
Each faction uses the same tactics;
personal vilification of the other side's candidates and supporters, to convince you to vote for their side.
Your wasting your breath and your ink if you think that approach will get me to change my mind and I suspect that I'm not alone in that feeling.
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If you want to influence my vote, leave the Tarot cards and whatever psychic abilities you may possess outside the discussion. With the limited information you have first hand knowledge of explain to me why you support your candidate and how you think their election will benefit you and make America a better place for you. Please don't make shit up or shade the truth because I will find out. Don't gossip or embellish facts to try to sway my opinion. I will find out and when I do, your entire
argument, even the real truths, falls out the window and I'm less convinced to follow your advice than ever before. And don't try the tear down a candidate's character because of their beliefs for it only
diminishes you in my eyes.
Since I've been unable to find an unbiased source of information, I was encouraged when I stumbled across this web-site (
http://www.speakout.com/index.html). Therein is provided a
quiz that you take to see how your beliefs, wants, and desires match up with all the candidates running for President of the United States. The questions are rated on a scale of; strongly agree to strongly disagree. If for no other reason, taking this quiz forced me to determine where I,
personally, stand on the issues. Sorry, there are no question on how you feel about women or persons of color.
After my answers were graded I was presented with a
percentage score of how my stand on issues matched up with the various candidates. As some of you know, I've decided, so far, to support the McCain/
Palin ticket. So, of course I was anxious to see how my responses paired up with Sen. McCain's Positions. A 38% match it said. It went on to say that perhaps I should change my allegiance based on this score. On no thought I, that can't be. Oh well let's see how I matched up with Sen.
Obama: 38%, you may want to change your allegiance!
Isn't that a fine how-do-you-do?
I've been a registered republican all of my voting life, but have always been an
independent voter in the booth. Never have I voted the party line . Neither main stream party has ever
completely garnered my support. So here's your chance
If you want to convince me to vote for your
candidate, tell me where you stand on the issues, how you think your candidate will accomplish their stated goals. Explain to me how you think they will be able to unite the congress, if not the populace, to bring about the kind of government and America that you want. Tell me what makes your candidate most qualified, and please don't make your candidate look good by denigrating the others, because then you're really telling me that you're a divider not a
uniter.
Please don't tell me to wake-up! I need my sleep to make informed choices.
I think it's
OK to have differing opinions. We can like and enjoy each other as much for our differences as our similarities.
Vote for someone who
embodies your beliefs.
Vote for a
black manVote for a woman
Vote for an ageing warrior
Vote for a write-in
Vote against the system by voting
Be the lone star in the flag on the poster atop this post
Or don't:
It's a
FREE country, right?
If you make a joke out of the election you make a joke about the country you've chosen to live in.
