Is it November 7th yet?! I don't live in Tennessee, but I feel like I should be able to vote. Because I live in Northwest Mississippi and my cable provider is based out of Memphis, I have been bombarded with television ads for political candidates. It seems there is going to be a tight race in Tennessee for the Senate seat that was vacated by Bill Frist, a Republican. The two candidates are Harold Ford, Jr., a Congressman who represents the Ninth District of Tennessee who is a Democrat and Bob Corker, former Mayor of Chattanooga who is a Republican. I don't consider myself a Republican or a Democrat, I try to vote for the person who shares my ideas and values. But watching the campaign of both candidates unfold has been very interesting. In the beginning, I really think Ford was trying to run a smear free campaign, but the attacks and allegations against him were overbearing and he had to come out swinging. So now, we have a full fledged smearfest. I know they are only feeding the public's appetite for rumors and dirty laundry. My question is, why are we so quick to believe the negative things about people? I wonder how many watched the televised debate between the two and based their voting decision on how they stood on key issues. One of the things I've noticed is that they both talk about how the other only looks out for himself. I've always argued that that is an issue for all politicians. I mean, can they honestly relate to me and my problems? They don't have to worry about Social Security, they get a pension for life. They don't have to worry about the many issues in education, their kids go to private schools and private universities. They don't have to worry about crime in their community, they live in gated communities...so I really question the sincerity of their representation. Although I am a cynic, I do vote because it is then I have the right to complain about the government.
One of my coworkers said she hates politics. I don't know if I feel that strongly, but I have realized that politics is a way of life. Politics are prevalent, whether it be nationally or locally. Come on, think about your job. We all know someone who is there because they knew somebody who knew somebody. I won't even talk about the politics of church. I mean, not everyone in the choir has an angelic voice.
So, I anxiously await the day of November 7th and I'm sure I'll be glued to my televsion to find out who outsmeared the other. I'll keep you posted.
2 comments:
OH MY GOSH! It's funny to read your postings! I think so many of the same things as you. The young men on campus have such foul mouths I cringe inwardly while they walk along spewing the vilest profanity like exhaust from an unmuffled car. I am physically affected by the those bumping car stereos! My head literally reels and my stomache churns. Sometimes I wonder whether I would be held culpable for going out of control and smashing into their car. It certainly would give them a very tangible lesson that what one does does affect others. As far as anything being confined to a particular race I don't believe it. White young men are just as or perhaps worse than African-American young men.
Just when the cynic comes out in me I read about and see someone like Barack Obama. I encourage all to visit oprah.com and read through the interview from Wednesday's show. He is someone to know and follow.
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