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storytimewithjoeI typically don’t post my thoughts on American politics, simply because I am so disgusted by them. Like most of you, I am counting the days until election simply so the commercials and annoying flyers and random phonecalls will end! Yet, I have to admit, I found myself somewhat drawn in by the Presidential debate last night – purely for the entertainment value of it all.
Now, to be fair, I really do NOT advocate party-politics. Yes, I am a registered Democrat, and that is typically how I vote. But I do NOT believe in simply voting “for the party”. Frankly, I don’t give a flying flounder about the Democrat party. Nor do I care for Republican, Green, Libertarian, Independent, or ANY of it. Why? Because I believe that every issue deserves its own consideration, its own weight, and its own measure. And I do NOT believe in simply following a group or a hive-mentality when it comes to new situations or new questions. Long story short, I vote how I feel and choose the best candidate (or sadly, the one that I find the least offensive), in any situation. As such, I tried my best to keep an open mind while watching the debates. Yes, I have been supportive of Obama, but in all fairness, I really did try to listen to Romney to give him a chance. All kidding aside, he deserves – DESERVES that.
So what did I learn in watching the last two debates?
When you set aside all the barbs and the BS, I noticed a pattern. In response to a question, more often than not, the answer came in the following format:
Obama: Here is what I have done (names specifics). Here is what I will do (names specifics).
Romney: Yup, this is a problem. And this president failed to fix it. (List some generalizations and sometimes erroneous information). I will fix the problem (few to no specifics).
You may or may not agree, but this is nonetheless what I observed while watching the debates. I didn’t listen to the analyses of “political experts” who word-smith diatribes for the edification of other “political experts”. I simply watched, listened, and strung together the nuggets into a pattern.
I think it is foolish to believe that one man has the power to cause 100% improvement and 100% change. One man does not have 100% of the control. But I DO believe that one man can understand the issues and at least formulate a strategy. Based on what I have seen, one of the two candidates has a plan, which he has laid out. The other points fingers and continually talks about having some sort of a plan.
I’m satisfied. I know how I’m voting.
Now, to be fair, I really do NOT advocate party-politics. Yes, I am a registered Democrat, and that is typically how I vote. But I do NOT believe in simply voting “for the party”. Frankly, I don’t give a flying flounder about the Democrat party. Nor do I care for Republican, Green, Libertarian, Independent, or ANY of it. Why? Because I believe that every issue deserves its own consideration, its own weight, and its own measure. And I do NOT believe in simply following a group or a hive-mentality when it comes to new situations or new questions. Long story short, I vote how I feel and choose the best candidate (or sadly, the one that I find the least offensive), in any situation. As such, I tried my best to keep an open mind while watching the debates. Yes, I have been supportive of Obama, but in all fairness, I really did try to listen to Romney to give him a chance. All kidding aside, he deserves – DESERVES that.
So what did I learn in watching the last two debates?
When you set aside all the barbs and the BS, I noticed a pattern. In response to a question, more often than not, the answer came in the following format:
Obama: Here is what I have done (names specifics). Here is what I will do (names specifics).
Romney: Yup, this is a problem. And this president failed to fix it. (List some generalizations and sometimes erroneous information). I will fix the problem (few to no specifics).
You may or may not agree, but this is nonetheless what I observed while watching the debates. I didn’t listen to the analyses of “political experts” who word-smith diatribes for the edification of other “political experts”. I simply watched, listened, and strung together the nuggets into a pattern.
I think it is foolish to believe that one man has the power to cause 100% improvement and 100% change. One man does not have 100% of the control. But I DO believe that one man can understand the issues and at least formulate a strategy. Based on what I have seen, one of the two candidates has a plan, which he has laid out. The other points fingers and continually talks about having some sort of a plan.
I’m satisfied. I know how I’m voting.
