There’s no reason you shouldn’t, as a writer, not be aware of the necessity to revise yourself constantly. – John Irving
Shortly before Obama was elected, I watched a documentary on Ralph Nader. It made me think a lot about our government, our society, the entity in which I engage and live. It made me question, momentarily, my “vote for change.” But I stuck to my guns — I wanted to be a part of this historical time. I wanted to look back and remember that I participated, that I voted for the first African American president.
I hoped, along with many others, that Obama would mean what he professed — he would bring change. I had my doubts, but I hoped nevertheless.
If Obama was the progressive individual he appeared to be during the election, things would already be headed in a more progressive direction. We’d see change now.
When I read that a 24 year-old soldier, who has already spent 13 months in Iraq, refused to show up for his deployment paperwork and was thrown in jail for 30 days, it’s solidified for me — change has not come.
What happened to our “vote for change?”
This country has taken what amounts to a negligible step forward — we’ve “made history” by electing an African American. But this doesn’t mean we’ve put racism behind us. What does this step mean in the face of all the other steps we’re not taking?
I voted out of fear, and I think that many of us did. I didn’t want another conservative, greedy man in the Oval Office, so I voted for the other guy. And I was thankful “the other guy” wooed so many of us. But that’s exactly what he was doing — wooing.
I don’t think a vote made out of fear is a real, true, “American vote.” I think it’s a scam. If I were to vote again, today, I wouldn’t vote for Obama, and that scares me, too — if I’m not voting for Obama, who do I vote for? If I vote for Nader, or another third-party candidate, then it feels like I’m giving the McCain’s of the world a better chance. It’s terrifying. And if it all boils down to fear, then I begin to doubt the fairness, the freedom of this democracy.
Some people, both in and outside of this country, still admire America and what it stands for. But I am reluctant to be a “proud American.” Our country has done so much wrong. Does my participation, my vote, inherently mean that I support it? Does it mean that I support the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq? Does it mean I support invading Afghanistan?
If we’re only given two choices for the “most powerful man in the world,” for the President of the United States, then I’m not so sure I want to vote anymore. But I’ve been taught that is “un-American.” I’ve been taught that is refusing my right, refusing to take advantage of the representative system I live in.
I don’t know what my vote means anymore. I don’t know if it has any real value. And, if this is the case, our democracy is a farce.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Unfortunately, the issue of voting in America is often a matter of voting for the lesser of two evils. All politicians in all countries lie to some degree or another; it’s just a given, and something that we as a people unfortunately must accept. It has been like that since the dawn of politics: most people will say whatever is necessary to get ahead, be it in the office, in the bedroom, or on the campaign trail.
So what you have to ask yourself, really, is who is likely to screw up the country less?
Isn’t that an unfortunate way to look at things? Shouldn’t we want and expect more? Shouldn’t we demand more?
I agree — politicians, no matter the country, are inclined towards corruption. It’s the very nature of the power they yield.
But, by standing aside and accepting it as such, aren’t we limiting our own potential for progress and real change?
Glad to see you back! I remember we talked about that documentary a while ago. Unfortunately I hold the same pessimistic views on politics as you, and therefore voted for what I felt was right for me. I don’t really agree that one person’s vote can make a difference, but if the decision sits right with me that’s all that matters.
but if the decision sits right with me that’s all that matters.
I couldn’t agree more. My problem, with this past election, is that I was wooed. Now I regret the decision I made. As I mentioned in this post, I’m thrilled to have been part of such a historical time, but I’m not sure how far it’s really going to get us.
I feel very much the same way. I had a hard time voting in the last two presidential elections and it really makes me feel hopeless. I guess I’d rather vote for the lesser of two evils than not vote at all but that doesn’t make me proud either.
I guess I’d rather vote for the lesser of two evils than not vote at all but that doesn’t make me proud either.
This is exactly how I’m feeling these days. I always thought I’d be an enthusiastic voter, proud to just have the opportunity, the right. I’m beginning to wonder how much it really means (for me, personally).
I’ve come to adopt a somewhat similar pessimism regarding politics these days, and have grown tired of the arguing that seems to be the only thing anyone is capable of doing right now. What I know is that our system, as we currently know it, is hardly a way to effect change. I’m sad that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is still the law, I’m sad that a person such as myself is even a “social issue” because of sexual orientation, and I’m sad that people are arguing over whether every single person deserves to be taken care of should a time come that they need such care. To me, these are absolutes, that to be human means we reach out to our fellow man. These are things that the game of politics decides to play, and to me it is no game.
And the only words that offer comfort to me come from, of all places, Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
(PS Thrilled to see you back! I’ve missed you.)
To me, these are absolutes, that to be human means we reach out to our fellow man. These are things that the game of politics decides to play, and to me it is no game.
So well said, Phil. This country has a history of acting superior to others. I believe that the government, and society on the whole, is doing the same with regards to other cultures, religions and people of a “different” sexual orientation. I read headlines about California’s steps towards decriminalizing marijuana — how can that go farther than the same sex marriage propositions!?? How long will it take before people are truly treated equally?
I had hoped Obama would use a strong hand and that his rhetoric of change would amount to more than just rhetoric. I’m disappointed that, so far, it hasn’t.
PS Thanks for the welcome!! :)
Powerful. You really made me stop & think about something I’ve been too afraid to acknowledge. Thank you for that, & I am so happy you’re back. :]
So glad you’re back.
It’s so sad — I, too, had no idea who to vote for. I only knew I didn’t want to vote for McCain. Since I really wanted to vote, Obama seemed the only likely option.
Either way, we’d still be in the very spot we are right now, I believe.
Welcome back dear. It was a lovely surprise to see new items beside your name in my GReader.
Now then, me and you talked about this somewhat back during the lead up to Election Day. Especially when I admitted that I was kind of disgusted with the bipartisan system in general. I also openly laughed at the idea that America was over racism. Here we are almost 7 months after Obama took office and nothing has really changed. I’m not at the point of saying things should be different now but it’s a slippery slope.
Do I regret voting for Obama? No. I was fundamentally opposed to Senator McCain’s social politics and the disgust I felt for his VP candidate. I knew little about Nader at the time so I did not feel right voting for him. With the information I had, I feel Obama was my best choice.
I hope I can still say the same in 2012.
I’m Kenyan, a kenyan of the Luo and I still admire America. We do as our fathers and grandfathers did-which in the first place is the reason you have an Obama.
By not voting you vote nevertheless so vote.
By not voting you vote nevertheless so vote.
A good point. And one that I hadn’t fully considered. However, in some instances, perhaps not voting is the best vote, personally speaking.
Wait a second. A soldier is punished for an act of civil disobedience and that causes you to lose faith in Obama? What am I missing here? Did Obama run on a campaign pledge to repeal the Uniform Code of Military Justice? Whatever one thinks of the solider’s intentions, the laws are pretty clear cut: individual members of the military are not allowed to determine on their own in which wars they want to participate. (It’s also worth noting that Private Agosto is 24, which means the earliest he could have joined the army was in 2003, by which point both wars had already begun. If he opposed them, why did he sign up? It’s like marrying a pregnant woman and then telling her you never wanted to have kids.)
Regardless, none of this has anything to do with Obama. If you want to be disillusioned with him, go ahead, but at least pick a legitimate reason.
I’m not trying to draw a direct connection between the soldier’s arrest and the Obama administration. I’m merely pointing out that our system isn’t as progressive as one might want/hope it to be. Since Obama ran on a campaign of progress and change, I naively anticipated that we might actually see some real progress.
These are just my opinions, my way of considering the society in which we live. I’m not forcing them on anyone, nor am I trying to write some all-encompassing New York Times-style article. I’m just contemplating the current political climate and expressing my personal thoughts on the matter.
I hear you but I think we’re taking steps in the right direction. Change is really more of an ideal, right? I mean, we change a little bit every day as individuals and as a society/nation. I think that change takes years – it won’t happen overnight so the best we can do is think positive and support causes that are important to us close to home – whatever those may be.
This is completely unrelated to your post – and I normally hate those kind of comments because it makes me feel like no one read what I had to say -
BUT!
BUT!
Just wanted to say that I am glad you’re back.