Response to Kelly

I respect Kelly Rogers’s thoughts and opinions on her blog titled “Stage Seven Blog” on the passionate subject of abortion. I agree that it is not moral to terminate a pregnancy based upon a quick solution to a problem. I disagree with the statement referring that the decision of President Elect Obama to sign the Freedom of Choice Act will shape the future of our country or even become the most significant subject that will stand out during his tenure. Abortion should be kept private. Abortion should be the decision made only by persons involved. Abortion is a moral decision. There are many different scenarios that force individuals to make decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Abortion is one of them. The bill states “that every woman has the fundamental right to choose to bear a child, to terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability, or to terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect the life or health of the woman”, it does not state that “"health" being defined as anything physical, emotional, psychological, anything related to the well-being of the mother.” I agree the option to terminate after “fetal viability” is acceptable, only if there are known physical complications that force the individuals involved to choose life or death. If no known medical complications are present and the individual chooses to abort, in my opinion, the decision is immoral. It should be an unlawful act and not endorsed by the government.

Where is the money coming from...

Bailout and unemployment are like bad words in the adult world. I could complain about all the attention the major auto companies are receiving, but I’m not. First it was the financial industry and now the auto industry. What next? I’m beginning to see a trend here. I recall the agricultural industry and the technology industry having problems several years ago but I don’t recall a “bailout” plan for them.

After reading a recent article about the troubled auto industry, I’m a bit concerned on how our government is going to attempt to bail them out. First of all, how did the industry get this way? Did they not have a good business plan in place or was all the executives just thinking about how much money was coming in after raising the prices of the autos they sell? Or did they just focus on production and quantity? I look around the Austin metroplex and I see a lot of car dealerships, almost an excessive amount. Shouldn't there be limits on the amount of dealerships that can be in a zip code.

As our national government decide the fate of the auto makers requesting a bailout, let’s talk about the other bad word, unemployment. Based on recent article information , this has been an unfortunate circumstance for many people. The effects of our declining economy are felt strongly at the “next door” level. I have felt the stress of unemployment and it is not a part of life I would like to repeat. Is the government planning on a bailout of those affected by unemployment?

So, it appears that we have been in several recessions over the last several decades, you would think by now we would have figured it out. I guess not. Maybe we need a new way of thinking. Obama. Take the average low middle class household, like mine. I live in a constant recession. Therefore, I try to manage my family, finances, and job in a manner of trying to ensure we have our basic needs taken care of. Sure, I want to be in a better financial situation, (i.e. one of the reasons I’m back in school), but we live in the now and hope for the future. Obama. We are all part of this big business cycle, but all I hear about is the bailout of the companies and not the consumers, the citizens, the people. Who is going to bail us out? Obama.

I say to the new President elect Mr. Barack Obama, proceed with caution, proceed with strength, proceed with hope, proceed with a new way of thinking and proceed with creating a new government business cycle that we all can be proud of.

every opinion matters too…

It has been a long road to the historical Election Day. There has been standard political rhetoric, excessive media coverage, and overwhelming support of both the Democratic and Republican parties. We were inundated with the campaign platforms. I was also ready for it to be over because it was getting old and tiresome. So yes, I believe many Americans were also saying “Can It Be Over Yet”.

Unfortunately I disagree that our votes didn’t count. I was proud to go vote and though the numbers were impressive, I still believe my single vote counted for something. It counted for believing in a new concept of living, it counted for change, it counted for fresh new ideas and much more. I agree that many people only see black and white. I agree that many people put value on racism. Racism would not be as strong as it is if we stop giving it power. Take the power of the word away and you will see that on this recent Election Day, I did not see a divided country. What I saw was unity. What I saw opportunity. What I saw was promise and they were both standing side by side representing unity not black and white.

A Continuous War

War is never something we want to think about on a regular base’s but in this time of conflict; it seems that we have focused more on world war and not national war. I’m not talking about armed war, but all types of wars that can be classified as gang war, political war, family war and many other types of conflicts that result in human loss.

I’m not well versed on the specific facts about why we, the United States of America, is still involved in a war that may never end. A war we assume began when the tragic day of September 11th happened. Are the American people sure this is why we are fighting and still fighting? Was this just a quick answer to the anger we felt or the sadness and hurt we felt after such a catastrophic event.

Do I approve of this war? Should we have involved ourselves with this war? Were we given a choice? War scares me, but yet I believe we have a right to protect our rights, our freedom and our liberty. Everyday there are many people fighting their own wars of life. They are trying to ensure that the future does not entail the same conflicts we have to deal with today. People want life to improve not transgress. We want life to be better for our kids and family. So, does this mean we as a people decide that getting involved in a war that kills more of our kids and family is better? I know this is not as simple as I like it to be but I have to keep it simple because I have to explain the “why” to my children.

The government is protecting its own, just like a mother protects her own, but how far do we allow them to protect us. This is not a straight answer on if I believe we should be in a war we are not sure we should be fighting. If the government is acting in an effort to protect the citizens of the United States of America and if the government has made the decision based on the protecting the interests of its people, I say please continue to protect us to ensure our future generations do not have to encounter such a tragedy . If the United States government is making decisions based on the rights, freedom and liberty of its people, I say protect us. If the government is making decisions on anger, power and just a plain ole spitting contest, I say, we need a new government.

War is never pleasant and it may not be the answer to every problem but if it requires us to make a decision based on the freedoms of America, then …

It's as simple as a phone call...

Let me just say that I agree with the commentary, “Robocalls continue…” which is posted on the Washington Monthly blog page. This observation is in line with how I would like to be informed of uncommon acts.

My blog page is named “evianPolitics” this basically is naïve spelled backwards. I am completely naïve about the world of politics and the blog from the Washington Monthly kept it simple enough for me to understand. So, for all the unfamiliar voters, new voters and just don’t care voters, the translation for the word “Robocalls” is telemarketing. That’s right telemarketing.

I had no idea that this was a tactic for normal political campaigning. I also do not understand why it is allowed, but yet I grasp the idea of how it can be effective. Although there are laws established to keep the “robocalls” in line with restrictions and requirements, but are there laws that restrict what can be said, probably not.

So, the McCain and Palin presidential campaign is now moving into the final stages of their campaign strategy. What is next, door to door sales campaigning? I think their new mission statement should be “by any means necessary”? But we can’t use that because it would mean they were and had been acquainted with the militant group, the Black Panthers. If they are trying to sabotage the Obama/Biden campaign, they may be a bit off target. They are only damaging their own credibility.

I receive enough telemarketing calls already. This tactic of robocalling may work on those who have time to sit on the phone (during dinner, giving the kids a bath, doing homework), but the average voter doesn’t have the time.

Maybe those who are undecided or just not comfortable with the possibility of having an African American president may listen but at some point it just gets old.

Who's keeping score...

Here I am rushing home to see the infamous Vice Presidential debate, and not sure if I was impressed, frustrated or bored. Debates have never interested me but neither has politics. This historic time has probably opened a few eyes and minds for the possibility of hope. So, I put my attention to the debate and I’m still not sure who won. After reading the commentary, For Palin, a tie is a win by Ruben Navarrette, I believe he may be on to something. Navarrette pointed out from the beginning that no one really won the debate but it was just a tie. Can we accept this? Vice President candidate Palin, in my opinion new exactly what to say. I mean exactly. She sounded well versed and rehearsed. I understand that the Republican party is catering to the middle class family now but hasn't it been the focus of the Democratic party all along. Palin definitely came prepared. She spoke clearly, directed her attention to Mr. Biden, and even ensured she spoke and made artificial contact to “the people” via the media. No doubt about it, she knew what to say, when to say it and how to say it. She represented the Republican party well. Biden also showed that he was able to stand his ground against Palin. I agree with Navarrette that Biden may have misjudged Mrs. Palin’s ability to debate. Biden also spoke well and knew exactly what to say, when to say and how to say it. He assured he addressed the middle class family, the single parent families, the military families and the Democratic families. He spoke of his tenure and his ability to make decisions and his complete support of his other team member, Mr. Obama. He represented the Democratic party well. So, was this a tie? Both were straight to the point, both were supportive and defensive on their party’s platforms, was this enough for “the people” to decide who won? I partially agree with Mr. Navarrette. I believe both candidates did exactly what they were suppose to do, disagree with one another. On the other hand, I do not believe that anyone won. I have to voice that Ms. Palin laid it on thick and Mr. Biden did not lay it on thick enough. My point is that I consider myself part of the middle class, a single parent, a soccer/athletic mom, and have some military family relations and I still cannot predict who will be best for our country. I was impressed, frustrated and bored during the entire debate. No one won, but who's keeping score.

Another Possibility for the Future

After reading the commentary, “The Obama-Palin dream ticket”, I was convinced this was one I needed to share. CNN is a convenient media source for me to view via the web or television to receive updates on what’s happening in the U.S. and around the world. The commentary was written by Ruben Navarrette Jr. and it caught my attention by the possibility of creating a change in how we vote as Americans. Being an African American, single parent mother, life has many challenges. Navarette points out, that this 2008 election is not just about change and hope for a better future but also about people. He provides a synopsis about two people who understand and can relate to life’s challenges. He gives readers a moment to humanize a Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate.

Image the possibility of taking two different Party platforms and ideas and combining them. What combination would we create? I say, it is something that we all understand, it is “compromise”. This concept is a part of our daily lives. So, take a moment and visit the link below, to empower your sense of duty, commitment, and hope about new beginnings. This is history no matter who you decide to vote for this year. Be inspired.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/11/navarrette.obamapalin/index.html