No synchro here, at least not yet. or there’s a synchro I’ve missed. That said, here’s my take:
The difference between the Republican and Democratic conventions could not be more striking, more stark.
The Republican convention’s theme was simple: you’re on your own. The Democratic convention’s theme is also simple: what affects you, affects me, affects all of us. Sounds like Indra’a net, doesn’t it?
What you do, as an individual, ripples outward to eventually touch my life and the lives of others. As Clinton said in his speech this evening, “We’re all in this together.”
The Republicans don’t recognize that word, together. In fact, the only together the Republicans recognize is to kick Obama out of office. It is why the Republican Congress nearly brought the country to its knees during the December 2011 in a negotiation about the debt.
Even though Obamacare is built upon the program Romney initiated in Massachusetts, the Republican candidates vow to overturn it. Yet, under Obama’s Affordable Health Care Act, insurance companies can no longer reject you for pre-existing conditions; there’s no cap on payments; children can remain on their parents’ health care plan to the age of 26; Medicare benefits are not reduced; the doughnut hole that cost seniors more in prescription drug costs is closed. And that’s just for starters.
Yes, I wished the bar had been higher, that Obama had started off with Medicare for all. But in order to extend unemployment insurance for millions of people, he had to compromise. It’s taken me a while to get that, but I get it now. I think, historically, that when we look back, Obama’s accomplishments, particularly because he was up against an intractable congress since 2010, midway into his term, will be extraordinary.
Right now, the Romneys have raised $100 million each month for the last four months. Think about that. $400 million far surpasses the GDP of many countries. It could buy you a country, a string of islands, a seat on the next rocket to Mars. It could buy you new organs, a new face, a new identity with a very fat bank account. Hell, maybe that much money can buy you a new soul. The infamous Koch brothers are spending $400 million in their superPACS.
This election is about you’re on your own society versus shared opportunities and we’re all in this together society. What’s your choice? Are we a nation of isolated individuals pitted against each other in phony competitions or are we all in this together?
I know my choice. No, Obama is not perfect. Yes, he has made mistakes. Yes, he entered as a young, naïve senator. But his version of reality speaks more strongly to me than anything the Republicans have said. The Repubs hope to marginalize women. They intend to hurl us back to the dark ages of back-alley abortions. They don’t want us to have health care screenings that might save our lives. They – mostly aging white men – seek to govern women, their lives, their bodies.
In Indra’s net, we are all connected. Your choices affect me, your thoughts impact mine, we don’t share just a planet, but a reality.
When you compare the two agendas, the choice should be clear. For those of you who think it’s a done deal, that your vote won’t matter, think again.
What kind of country do you want to live in?
I saw a bit of the Obama / Clinton / Mrs.Obama speeches on television. It’s a whole different world to over here in the UK. The enthusiasm and banner waving and the whole productions are so over the top to my eyes, but we are much more reserved in that direction over here – at the moment! Interesting post.
Jumping back a few years, what’s off about the repubs and the anti-gay stand is that Dick Cheney has an out-of-the-closet lesbian daughter. Go figure that one out! I cannot imagine a country where the women are relegated back to the not-too-distant past of being virtual slaves to men, and you’re right, that is where we would be if this macho woman hater is elected, along with his anti-woman cronies. Gives me the shudders. I’m hoping my hubby won’t vote. Otherwise, his will cancel mine out. We’re in a silent war here about his (hubby’s) Romney political leanings. I know how and where he got them, but that doesn’t make them any easier to tolerate. Obama’s must overcome the weak aspects of his platform by focusing these last few weeks on the powerful ones. He’s lost the Catholic vote, and the other pro-life organizations, and that’s a heck of a lot of people in this country. These are issues, in my opinion, where Obama needs to come on like a Sherman tank and win back some of those lost votes. They will hurt.There are a lot of gay Americans, though, and I think Obama has THEIR vote, which might help counter the women’s rights mess the catholics are throwing in with Romney. Tight tennis match with a lot hanging on the net, literally.
4 more years! I pray Romney doesn’t win. The difference is clear and no things weren’t handled with the greatest results under Obama – yet. But there have been changes as mentioned and ground work laid. It will come and things will fall into place under Obama I believe. I think Romney and the like are too insulated in a greedy bubble detached from what is good for our nation as a whole. Haven’t watched Obama’s speech yet, recorded it and waiting for hubby to come home so we can watch it together. Excited to hear it.
This final night of the convention, I am blown away by the passion in the speeches, the raw emotion when Gabby Gifford led the pledge of allegiance, and the way the stark differences between republicans and democrats that were highlighted in these speeches. John Kerry certainty did a barn burner on foreign policy; Joe Biden – wow, I didn’t know he could speak with such fever and emotion; Jill Biden really nailed her husband’s qualities as a human being. And then there’s Obama. Say what you want about this man, he’s smart, he has a vision for this country. I dislike some of his policies, but I’ve never met a perfect candidate. I dislike the focus on the U.S as the world cop. And yet…beneath those things, the people who spoke at this convention this evening recognize the resilience of the americans. Obama points out that Romney cited at least 5 new wars, including the russians…huh? Back to the cold war?
To NOT vote in this election is to abdicate the one thing we have as a democracy, as a people, to initiate change. Granted, those elections may be rigged, may be bought, may be victims of redistricting…but regardless, each of us must vote. If you vote for romney/ryan, then in my view you’re advocating for the past – the far past, back in the 50s, when women had zero say about anything, when back alley abortions were the norm. You’re advocating for a time when gays and lesbians had to hide who they were, had to pretend they were something else.
We all know the drill here.
We all know what’s at stake.
Bravo! So well spoken!
Indra’s jewell Net, Spider Woman’s Web………like it or not, this is truly the paradigm of the “New Age”, for me, the meaning of the crux of 2012. I like especially how you comment that we’re not just sharing a planet, but a reality. I want to live in a country that can evolve to grasp this crucial truth.
But if Romney does win, maybe it’s time to move for me. I swore I would when Reagon was elected, heck, this time I’ll mean it.
Costa Rica, anyone? There was just a quake then, but…
Didn’t forget about Hillary’s being a senator. Just forgot to ADD it to her list of qualifying achievements. The Georgia peanut farmer did indeed ask for the UFO files and was never given them. Same with Clinton. Curiously, same with Kennedy. Also re Carter, he was incredibly ill-treated and has accomplished much since leaving office. Maybe the mistreament had something to do with the UFO stuff? Just a thought…..
I think it’s interesting that these 3 men asked. Wonder what the response was? Sorry, you don’t have the necessary clearance?
Clinton also asked for UFO files and couldn’t get info.
You also forgot that Hillary was a NY Senator and she was wonderful!!!
I would vote for Hillary in a second, unfortunately Obama is not a Clinton and doesn’t have the Strength of leadership that they each have. Im an Independent and not happy with either party. I’d like to know who will replace Hillary. She has been tremendous.
I also liked Jimmy and Roslyn Carter. He was not treated well by his own party.
I think the storms that have affected both conventions are telling. I think on voting night it will also be a close call.
In regards to the money these parties spend, I have always wished there was a cap. That would make it a fair fight. I think it would be interesting to see what would happen if they had to spend the same amounts.
Mercury turns retro on the day of the election. So I don’t know if we’ll know who wins for a while after that. Carter was treated badly by the dems. Not just a cap – but do away with super pacs.
You two are a great example of how an author can be admired for your political posts. From a marketing perspective, your views are aligned with your nonfiction platform and it’s unlikely you’ll lose any readers or sales. Yes, I want to live in a country where the politics are a ‘United We Stand’ network of connection for the good of all.
Of course, I really liked the dog park politics the best.
I love your marketing perspectives!
And dog park politics are my favorites, too.
Two things: …….and Jimmy Carter WITNESSED a UFO and was very public about that incident. Second, Hillary has been saying that she’s retiring after this term is done, but I’ve been hoping she changes her mind. Last night when Brian Williams asked Bill if she was considering a run in 2016, Bill smiled that enigmatic smile and said, “well, we’re getting old. And she’s said she’s planning to retire. But….who knows??” I for one liked his answer because it leaves the door open for Hillary. She had two terms as first lady of Arkansas, two terms as the nation’s first lady, and now has had a great run in her current position. Her international relationships are phenomenal, as is her business savvy, and from what we see and read, the foreign leaders respect her tremendously. I would vote for her in a New York minute no matter what office to which she might aspire, and I hope she doesn’t follow through on retirement plans yet. We need her to hang around for awhile yet. She’s been a dynamic force in Obama’s first term.
Didn’t carter ask to see the UFO files? Or something to that effect??
great post – and so entirely how i perceive the differences – and hopefully how the american voting public will view things – the contrast between the two could not be more clearly defined – and i will define my belief in that on election day when i vote for obama –
Yes, we can!
He’s going to be speaking here Sunday. Tickets are free, first come, first served. I’ll be waiting in line tomorrow evening to get mine.
oh, get outta here! i’d not heard he was going to be there – lucky you all! so save a seat for me! 😉
Thanks for this post. I watched B. Clinton in an interview with Brian Williams last night prior to his convention speech. Unlike many others, I’ve ALWAYS liked Bill Clinton….a lot. For me, his only negative was the man-thing….unable to keep his pants zipped, which didn’t reduce his job capability anymore than did those past presidents who openly had mistresses. (If every man in Washington who did that was caught and punished, we wouldn’t have any men in Washington.) I also have always like d and respected Hillary. This puts me in a minority in many camps, but nevertheless I think both Clintons are strong, powerful, courageous people who actually know what they’re doing. I very much liked Clinton’s speech last night, and was really into his interview with Williams a little earlier. He stated his opinions of Obama plainly, sincerely, quietly, and with genuine conviction. He believes Obama has the ability to lead this country and to overcome the shortfalls that happened during the first term in office. My husband (the repug) was cutting down everything Bill said, so I went into another room to watch him on another TV. And although Obama already had my vote, Clinton’s encouraging “talk” won me over with far fewer reservations. As Bill remarked, Obama is the first Dem to hold the office since he and Hillary were in the White House, and Obama’s second term will be much more effective than his first. I believe it.
Interesting that hilary’s name was floated for 2016. I think she’d be terrific.
I know very well which country I want to live in. President Carter was maligned for years after he left office, but now it has turned around, and his policies are now seen as forward thinking. The same will happen with Obama, I’m convinced, no matter what happens in November. But I don’t even want to think about a Romney president. I’m doing what I can… thanks for this post, Trish.
I loved Carter. And he has done so much good as an ex-prez.