shot of sass, served on (n)ice

Thursday, September 4, 2008

View from the Fence

imageAs previously stated, I’m in the middle on this whole election thing. I’m just talking solely about the Presidential race here: I seriously do not know who I’m voting for. I’m not officially affiliated with any party, never have been, and if I laid out my views for you (which I won’t—who cares), you’d see that I’m not in fact wishy-washy like I may sound, or dispassionate. I happen to feel very passionately about certain issues, they just fall on very different sides of the fence.

I know most people’s ideals probably aren’t all black and white, neatly landing into the “Republican” or “Democrat” category, and I know the easiest thing to do is lay out all the issues, decide which ones are the most important to me, and choose the candidate that most closely matches those choices. Except that it’s not so easy.

imageLet’s just say, for instance, that I’m adamantly opposed to universal health care, and support an individual’s right to bear arms. Go Republican, right? Except let’s say that I am also vehemently opposed to legislation that bans same-sex marriages and overturns Roe vs. Wade. Back to Democrat. Let’s also say that I wouldn’t mind marijuana being legalized, and that I think the War on Drugs is generally a lost cause. Still Democrat. But I’d also love to seal our borders, stay out of foreign affairs entirely, and concentrate on domestic issues above all. Um, neither candidate, really. More Republican, I suppose. And the list goes on. And on.

I let one issue go, in favor of another that I deem a tiny bit more important, and I think, I could vote this way, let’s do it. But then my eye catches another ideal shared by the candidate I just jumped the fence for, and I completely recoil. Back-step to other side—where I think, all right, I’m on board, let’s go. But no, no, this candidate supports something else that makes me want to vomit until my shoes come out my mouth.

Either way, I feel a little bit like I’m voting for the devil. I realize the President is not the end-all, be-all for policy-making decisions here in America, and who each candidate surrounds themselves with probably has more weight. But a decision must be made, and so far in my observation-gathering, I am planted firmly on the fence.

Undecidedly Yours,

11 tips left at the bar:

Ruby said...

Very well written post, Pen.

I think a lot of people are like you, riding the fence, wholly loving neither party. I think I have drawn the line on one issue in particular, and then made my choice accordingly, having to accept everything else that comes along with it, albeit on less important issues (in my mind).

Maybe you should start up your own Independent party? PEN FOR PREZ. Kind of has a nice ring to it... :)

penelope said...

I've been trying to narrow it down to one or two all-important issues, but it's killing me.

Pen for Prez! Maybe I can just be the advisor to such a campaign. My skin is way, way too thin for the world of politics. :)

Anonymous said...

I wish I could vote - I have been here 11 years but am still only a resident. I cannot afford the citizenship test (hello, $600 and something dollars?). But I would vote for Obama because I am a Democrat after all, and I am sick of the Bush regime and the crap that he has got this country into. I want a change, I want better for myself and definitely for my son and I just can't see that happening with an old fart and a woman who may be a real person with real values but she still ain't my cup of tea!

Ruby said...

I simply can not seem to stop. After watching the RNC:

* I swear that I heard that Cindy McCain's name was Cindy Lou. Holy cow, can you imagine how often she got/gets Cindy Lou Who?!

* Who were the people running down the aisle during McCain's speech?

* I have determined that the attendees at these conventions are NUTS. Flat out. Who in their right mind wears a donkey or elephant hat? NUTS, that's who.

* So, my husband would like to say 'Teach me your ways, Grasshopper' to JM. He was 41 when he landed a 24 year old... Pretty girl... Who was LOADED... From BEER money! What a dream come true for about 95% of American men!

Anonymous said...

Penelope, you are speaking for me today. I have become an official Fence-Percher when I've alway been a liberal-leaning gal. Oh how I hate this feeling of inner conflict!!

Anyway, thanks for the above and for making me realize that I'm not on my fence alone!

Have a great weekend!

Andria said...

I think it's a loooong fence, with quite a few of us sitting atop. .trying to decide which is the better fate: being trampled by elephants or donkeys?

Anonymous said...

Hello on the fence. Did someone bring snacks? Plus after the conventions I'm saturated with listening to speeches trying to figure out what they mean (and what might actually happen) based on what they say. And the season is just beginning.

I was listening to some of the Cindy bit on the radio on the way home. I'm pretty sure they had Cindy Lou in there a couple times, since I cracked up thinking about Cindy Lou Who down in Whoville...

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is a looong fence. I don't know about snacks, but I will DEFINITELY bring adult beverages!

penelope said...

At least we're in good company! Yes, bring on the drinks! We're going to need them while we try to figure this thing out.

mendacious said...

may i have the palin/mccain dolls for christmas?

and clearly you're unamerican...

Kim said...

Apparently you and I have the EXACT SAME STANCES ON EVERYTHING-- can I please be your vice president? I don't have much experience, but I AM a manager at a mid-level workers' compensation insurance company, which I think means I technically govern more people than Sarah Palin ever did. And also, I don't like hockey, which I actually think is a plus.