“The real problem is not that we are different, nor that we disagree and have conflict. It's that most of us automatically view conflict as something negative rather than as a tool God can use to help us better understand ourselves and one another.

--Robert Ricciardelli”

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Election Thoughts Part 2

Election Thoughts Part 1

I’ll get to more of my thoughts on election issues shortly. First, I wanted to pass on some information about leading Democrats in Congress and their stands and agendas. Some of it is rather frightening to me. Personally, I’m not into living in a more or less socialist state. I can also see the taxation rate going through the roof.

In a related vein, another interesting article was this one on how things have change in the last 40 years. I actually agree with the assessment that the rich have become richer (…can anyone seriously deny it?). The inequality of wealth in this country is staggering. At the same time, how do you limit how much someone can make, or legislate humanitarianism, without discouraging creativity and ingenuity? And, no, I don’t honestly have an answer.

Well...anyway...back to my election issue thoughts…

Fourth Issue: Ethics Reform.
Who do we think we’re kidding? Neither the Republicans or the Democrats really seem to want ethics reform. Do you expect me to believe that events like DeLay are only on the Republican side of things? Or that Congressman Jefferson is the only one who needs to be arrested for illegal activity? I’ll need some serious proof. Or how about the ones on both sides that avoid responding to legal demands for documents? Scream all you want about Bush, but Clinton did it, too. So has every President for the last several administrations. And, what was the left wing uproar about Jefferson anyway? All the laws about investigation and arrest were followed (so far as I know). He didn’t get a raw deal. And, please don’t give me any grief about Foley. If we were really going to be honest about it, there would be a campaign to make people aware there has always been a problem of homosexuals, in particular, going after young boys. Foley isn’t the only one…He’s just being used as a weapon of opportunity.(Personally…I think Clinton, Bush, DeLay, Jefferson, Foley and all those like them need to be nailed for what they have done wrong—whether personal pursuit of wealth or glory, or some other illegal activity to get their personal way.) You want me to buy into ethics reform? Make all the laws that currently exist apply to those in government just like they do to me. That would make a good starting point.

Fifth Issue: Iraq.
I’ve posted my comments on that before. Go read this to find out what I think about Iraq. Then, you’ll know what I think this election needs to focus on in that conflict. (Yup...you got it...that’s another HINT for our Congressmen and President to avoid knee jerk reactions...and to the rest of us people to quit screaming for something RIGHT NOW!)

Sixth Issue: Economy.
Blame Bush and his administration all you want for the economic slide the US has been in. The truth is the economy started to slide two years before Clinton left office. That doesn’t really speak well of Clinton’s economic policies. (...although, I think he did a good job of managing the surplus.) And then, of course, 911 accelerated the slide. I freely admit that Iraq and Afghanistan haven’t helped in any way shape or form. I do, however, find it interesting that the recent CBO numbers show a declining deficit. Makes it tough to say Bush’s economic policies don’t work. (...FYI...This thought carries over into my next post...so stay tuned...)

Election Thoughts Part 3