Something Wicked This Way Comes
You would think I would be over it now, but I’m still a little bitter about it. I just still can’t believe how stupid the American Electorate is. Now everyone is screaming about how the Republicans need to ‘reach out’ to this group or that group. They need to ‘evolve.” And you know what? That may be true. In fact, let’s say (for sake of argument) it’s 100% true. Still. We had one chance to steer the country away from a fiscal Greece-style cliff and what did we do? We hit the gas.
Why? Because of “birth control, binders and Big Bird,” oh my!!!
As you can imagine, many of my more liberal friends have been teasing me this last week. I can take it, bring it on. What is…well…I don’t want to say its “sad,” because it is just part of the gig. What’s “kind of sad” is that an uninformed vote means just as much as an informed one. Don’t get me wrong; I get that people have different points of view. If President Obama is your guy and you can list off the reasons why, I have nothing but respect for that. But, if your only two reasons are (and I honestly heard these) “He is just trying so hard, I just feel we need to give him a second chance,” or “Bush was just so bad,” you should just go back to watching “Dancing with the Stars” and let the grown-ups talk. (FYI, I really enjoy watching DWTS.)
As I look back at it, what REALLY gets me is things like this:
This is honestly one of Obama’s super-charming campaign slogans that (apparently) many single women took to heart. But let me let you in on a little secret: nothing about this election had anything to do with your “lady parts”.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a HUGE fan of “lady parts.” HUGE FAN. I’m a huge fan of women. I look at my wife (who, four kids and twenty-one years later, is still SMOKIN’ HOT) and all she does: cleans, cooks, full time job, volunteer work, she works with the Young Women at our church–she amazes me. I firmly believe all women should be put on a pedestal, I really do, for all those reasons. Plus, when you put a woman up on a pedestal, it is easier to look up her skirt (wicked grin).
To me it is ironic that women, who supposedly are strong, voted to be taken care of by government.
“But Danny,” you whine, “what about contraception?” Either way the election went, nothing would have changed in the realm of contraception. Nothing, zero, zip, noda, regardless of who won.
“But Danny,” you continue to whine, “what about abortion?” It amazes me that abortion rears its ugly head every election. It is one of those divisive issues that doesn’t mean a thing. Regardless of your personal thoughts on abortion, for it or against it, the fact Roe v. Wade was brought about judiciously, took that debate entirely out of the legislative arena. In other words, you cute little bugger you, no president or Congress could pass any laws to undermine it as long as that precedent stands.
Yes, it’s true: Romney could have appointed Supreme Court justices that might overturn that precedent (though I doubt it). But even if he did, NOTHING would have changed. Congress has codified the principles of Roe v. Wade into federal law, so the only way to completely overturn it would be, the Republicans would have to control the White House, Congress, and 60 votes in the Senate (something that has never happened in the history of the republic), and that is assuming all Republicans are pro-life.
Now I’m well aware that I’m being completely hypocritical with this next statement. I get it. I just can’t believe anyone would base their vote on ONE issue.
The biggest threat to anyone’s “lady parts” is the fiscal solvency of your nation. That threat is actually real. The made-up bull crap about abortion and contraception is just that: Crap. How could anyone vote for anything based on phantom stories when we have a very real and compelling prospect of an irrecoverable economic disaster? Un-be-freaking-lievable.
In case you can’t tell, I’m still amazed, and a little peeved at the election results.
LIFEZILLA: I don’t know about you, but I could really go for a punch in your face right now.
Words fail me.
I think you are right, that voting ONLY in regards to lady parts is ridiculous. But I also see their point. Look at the fraction of time in human history when women have been treated as equally as we are now, allowed to take control of our own futures, and have the option to choose something more than only motherhood. (Not that there’s anything wrong with chosing only motherhood.) It is a tiny, tiny fraction of time. So while you’re more than likely right that Roe V. Wade is very unlikely to be overthrown and that abortion is not that important, it also IS because it is symbolic. We don’t want to slide backwards, and the past fifty years or so of equality is probably not enough to make women in general trust men in power. (If you are of the reading sort, you should read The Handmaid’s Tale. Of course you might think it’s so much feminist claptrap but I think it points out how easy it might be to overthrow decades worth of progress.)
Besides, EVERYONE failed at recognizing the most important issue anyway, which is (in my very humble but absolutely certain opinion) the environment. None of this other stuff is going to matter if we don’t start fixing things SOON. Obama’s policies are only a shade better than Romney’s were going to be. Both of them (and most of the populace as well) missed the most important point!
I guess the majora… er…um… the majority of women have spoken. They don’t want old white men talking about or attempting to make new legislation regarding their lady-parts.
Just as I’m sure most men don’t want any of the Washington female representatives getting any new ideas on trying to enact legislation dictating where/when you can or can’t insert your man-shaft or where/when it is/isn’t appropriate to deposit your man-goo.
I believe that in an alternate universe that if men were in charge of carrying children to term, this conversation of pro-life vs pro-choice would not exist… CHOICE would be a GIVEN.
PS: I like the quote by Bukowski. He’s my favorite Lush. I’m sure that that quote is referring to the pundits @ FAUX NEWS on election night. ;-]
I have finally found my words, I have debated all day at whether or not to even comment here, and decided I am about fed up with being called ignorant, stupid and being told I voted to be taken care of by the government. I am none of the above. And, as for the ribbing you take by your liberal friends, all 6 of them, I would trade that ribbing for the insults that have been tossed my way this week. If I could go back to last Tuesday and change my vote, you got me…I would. I would check the Romney /Ryan box and skip to my car. Not because I feel they are the better choice, but because I am officially, personally, single-handedly what is wrong with America…me and my people, my “boy” Obama, suddenly he is my boy because I voted for him. I just want to clear a few things up here before I jump ship and run to your side, where regardless of who I vote for, I am considered an eduated, informed voter. Apparently, every person that voted for the Rep ticket did so with as an informed voter. That is never the case as a Democrat. We vote because we are promised free things, because we want all you rich people to pay for our Obama phones, we vote Democrat because deep down we want to see America fail. We couldn’t possibly vote because we may actually disagree with policies or feel a different direction is needed. I have heard it one hundred and fifty times this week. I am ready to just start believing it. But, before I declare my love for the Republican party, let me explain a few things about this election. Lets get some things straight…
The end is not just around the corner, the world is not becoming “totally corrupt”, things are not “scary” now, we are not witnessing the destruction of our nation, it is not a sign of the times – you don’t need to get your emergency kits and food storage ready and stock up on guns and ammo, we are not doomed, it is not true that the USA as we know it will never be the same. it will be the same as it was a few days ago, wickedness does not prevail here now, the world is not ripening for destruction. There are some problems but, overall humanity is improving and will continue to improve, this election has not hastened the second coming, thosee who voted for Obama did not choose evil or iniquity and neither are they “dead inside”, our country does not deserve to be destroyed, Obama is not an angry, dangerous demagogue, Obamacare is not evil, our country has not just died, Obama is not a wicked man. He has not deprived the country of blessings. He is actually a very good family man who will do his best to lead our country.
Here are a couple of reasons I voted for Obama, none of them resemble my lady parts: he did lead the charge against Osama and company, he initiated action to grant upward movement to Hispanic children brought here by parents towards productive citizenry, he has saved the auto and related industry when everyone said let them fail, his Obamacare has several components that have benefited seniors (preventative care, pharmaceutical support), he has ended the Iraq war and is in the process of ending Afghanistan war, he has limited military engagements but I think is wiling to engage when national defense is at stake yet forcing others to step to the plate and assume some of their own responsibilities, he has enhanced our foreign relations with other countries and has been instrumental in building alliances, uses protective tariffs in support of America manufacturing, he has increased oil production and assisted in a program that has reduced foreign dependence on oil and that is enough together one started to looking. Feel free to disagree here, but I am not putting these out for debate, I am simply listing them as non lady part reasons for my vote.
Getting to the argument of my lady parts and whether or not they played a part in my ballot preference. I answer that with a big, fat, “you better believe it.” and here is why, you are focusing much on the issue of abortion, as a noun and birth control. The issue has never been about abortion or who buys my birth control. Abortion will take place regardless f legality. It has existed long before any laws were in place to protect or restrict it. People don’t have abortions because they are legal. Here is my problem with the Republican party and their statements regarding women, you know, the 53% of voters that voted this election with ovaries.
“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try and shut that whole thing down. “-Rep Todd Akin
“in that horrible situation of rape, that pregnancy is something God intended” -Rep RIchard Mourdock
“consensual sex can turn into rap in an awful hurry–some girls, they rape so easy” Roger Roger Rivard
“in cases of rape and incest…I am still pro-life. -Rep Joe Walsh
“on the rape thing, how does more violence onto a woman’s body (abortion) make it better? Rep John Koster
“the method of conception (i.e. rape) does not change he definition fo life.”-VP Paul Ryan
When somebody asks, who was that Republican that made that crazy statement about rape, and the party has to say, which one??? There is a problem.
Rape is a crime, a violent crime against another person, it is the forcing of yourself upon another human being in the most disgusting way. Think of it like this, if a man comes so much as onto your property in Utah, and you feel the need to defend yourself, you have the right to kill the man, as in shoot him dead. DEAD. But, if a woman is raped, she is to accept that and cherish what has happened to her, which will affect her forever. Not only does she now carry life, but now she must deal with the decision on whether or not she keeps this child. A victime of a violent crime, and she is now punished with these decisions because she was born with a womb. Plain and simple. Not only does she live with what happened to her emotionally, but now we have men, who have never, ever experienced the emotions that come with pregnancy making choices for her about how she will or will not deal with her future. Um, sorry if I find this revolting. I understand life is a gift, and a miracle…so is motherhood. How dare you try and force me to carry a child that I conceived through the brutality of another human being? So, it isn’t for me the fact that they said they would try and repeal Roe v Wade, because it isn’t the abortion itself that concerns me. It is the fact, that if it was a moot point an unattainable, why even use it on your platform? Why bring it up? It is futile. So, why the harsh stance with it? Why not say to Mourdouck….uh, pardon me Sir, but you are out of line. Life that is created by rape is not a gift to women, it is not what God intended…it is a matter of free agency and it is the use of force of one human over another. It isn’t ok and NO, I am not going to endorse you in your race because I don’t agree with your views. This is where I have a huge problem. Am I less than a human being? Obviously, the men in Washington must make my decision for me, because I cannot be trusted to make my own decision about my own body? Are you kidding me? So, yes it was a very serious issue for me. And, not only do I have a womb, but I can vote…so, if you want to appeal to me as a womb and want me to vote for your economic policies, how bout you give me the same respect and show me you believe I can make good decisions, all by my big girl self. I had a hard time voting for someone who didn’t have the guts to stand up to these men in his party and say, “NO, you are wrong. Rape is a crime. We don’t get to tell victims of crimes how to proceed with the consequences.” You laugh because I voted like my lady parts depended on it…I am not laughing. When you can respect me as a female and not only a womb, I may believe you can change this country. Until then…when you decide to see me as one that can make responsible decisions, I will do the same for you…until then, not a chance. If you can’t see the blatant disregard for women in these statements, backed by a party, I don’t know what else can be done. To say, this is ridiculous is ignorant. Why can my husband go to his doctor and have a vasectomy covered by insurance as a method of contraception and I beg for a hysterectomy for the same reasons and am denied. The fact that I was denid a hysterectomy because nothing was wrong with my uterus is not the reason I voted for Obama. But, the fact he saw something wrong with that statement speaks volumes.
And, in case anybody is even still reading…I care about the Republican party. I really do. I hope they figure this out and get it together, because one party will not serve this nation as well as two major parties. Opposition is crucial. It keeps the parties in check, in balance, always striving for something new. America as we know it will change if the Republican party dies. We need two strong parties to make this work, to challenge each other. So, maybe some of you can take comfort in the fact that there are good Democrats who wish only the best for this country and maybe you can even be grateful that they provide a contrasting view and that in itself is vital.
and, this is too long for me to care about correcting grammar or sentence fragments…apologies.
….Don’t get em’ riled??? Wow, Touche!
Thank you for finding your words.
I’m a huge fan of clarity. ;-]
Don’t rile the parasites…especially, the ones with lady parts. 😉 I am not a nice person this week.
You had it right the first time – when you had no words.
During his 1956 presidential campaign, a woman called out to Adlai Stevenson: “Senator, you have the vote of every thinking person!” Stevenson called back: “That’s not enough, madam, we need a majority!” Truer words were never spoken.
Similarly, Obama (or his surrogates) could hint to blacks that a Romney victory would lead them back into chains and proclaim to women that their abortions and birth control would be taken away. He could appeal to Hispanics that Romney would have them all arrested and shipped to Mexico (even if they came from Cuba or Honduras), and unabashedly state that he will not enforce the current immigration laws. He could espouse the furtherance of the incestuous relationship between governments and unions – in which politicians ply the unions with public money, in exchange for which the unions provide the politicians with votes, in exchange for which the politicians provide more money and the unions provide more votes, etc., even though the money is gone. He could do and say all these things because he knew his voters were dolts.
One might reasonably object that not every Obama supporter could be unintelligent. But they must then rationally explain how the Obama agenda can be paid for, aside from racking up multi-trillion dollar deficits. “Taxing the rich” does not yield even 10% of what is required – so what is the answer (an intelligent answer please!).
Let’s not discount the role the mass media had and its complicity in Obama’s re-election, for it cannot be denied. One example suffices. In 2004, CBS News forged a letter in order to imply that President Bush did not fulfill his Air National Guard service during the Vietnam War, all to impugn Bush and impair his re-election prospects. In 2012, President Obama insisted – famously – during the second debate that he had stated all along that the Arab attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi was “terror” (a lie that Romney fumbled and failed to exploit). Yet, CBS News sat on a tape of an interview with Obama in which Obama specifically avoided and rejected the claim of terrorism – on the day after the attack – clinging to the canard about the video. In effect, CBS News fabricated evidence in order to harm a Republican president, and suppressed evidence in order to help a Democratic president. Simply shameful, as was the media’s disregard of any scandal or story that could have jeopardized the Obama re-election.
Obama also knows that the electorate has changed – that whites will soon be a minority in America (they’re already a minority in California) and that the new immigrants to the US are primarily from the Third World and do not share the traditional American values that attracted immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a different world, and a different America. Obama is part of that different America, knows it, and knows how to tap into it. That is also why he won.
And if an Obama could not be defeated – with his record and his vision of America, in which free stuff seduces voters – it is hard to envision any change in the future. The road to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and to a European-socialist economy – those very economies that are collapsing today in Europe – is paved.
You can spew words like: “we are not doomed” and “it is not true that the USA as we know it will never be the same”, and my favorite “Obama is not an angry, dangerous demagogue” (look up the meaning of demagogue – Obama is the quintessential demagogue – a word that doesn’t even belong in the same sentence with “angry” and “dangerous”). You must pull that government blanket down from your eyes (but thank you for proving my point about Obama supporters being un- educated, on matters concerning this election, at least).
One of the more irritating aspects of this campaign was its limited focus, odd in light of the billions of dollars spent. Only a few states were contested, a strategy that Romney adopted, and that clearly failed. The Democrat begins any race with a substantial advantage. The liberal states – like the bankrupt California and Illinois – and other states with large concentrations of minority voters as well as an extensive welfare apparatus, like New York, New Jersey and others – give any Democratic candidate an almost insurmountable edge in electoral votes. In New Jersey, for example, it literally does not pay for a conservative to vote. It is not worth the fuel expended driving to the polls. As some economists have pointed generally, and it resonates here even more, the odds are greater that a voter will be killed in a traffic accident on his way to the polls than that his vote will make a difference in the election. It is an irrational act. That most states are uncompetitive means that people are not amenable to new ideas, or new thinking, or even having an open mind. If that does not change, and it is hard to see how it can change, then the die is cast. America is not what it was, and will never be again.
The most powerful empires in history all crumbled – from the Greeks and the Romans to the British and the Soviets. None of the collapses were easily foreseen, and yet they were predictable in retrospect…and its citizens all said the same thing: ”we are not doomed”!
You are correct… America is not what it was & never will be again.
Traditional values have changed.
I’m sure Sitting-Bull, Geronamo & Pocahontus would concer.
Those pale-faced, Third-World boat-people. What were they thinking coming to American shores.
They obviously didn’t share traditional American Values. They were so stupid, they didn’t even know how to prepare for Winter. And, once again, The Native American had to give them a bail-out. What a bunch of free-loaders!!
concur ^^
You win. You’re right. Enjoy your day…we only have a few left.
I can’t help much with your questions. You asked for intelligent answers, and clearly, I have none. We are doomed.