I hate Bush…well George W. Bush anyway. Actually, HATE is such a strong word and to be honest which I always am, I cannot hate anyone, not even my worst enemy. I grew up in a non-political family and politics never really interest me in school, but my Aunt was a bona fide hippie and growing up I would hear all of her stories of Haight-Ashbury, Kent State, Woodstock, Protests, touring with the Grateful Dead and her experimentation with life itself. My political education was based on her ideals and philosophies to start, until I was old enough to make opinions of my own. She was the absolute coolest person I have ever met. I remember when I was 14 years old, my Nona and I drove from Canton, Ohio to visit her. At the time, she had moved from New Orleans to the east coast. I think she was on her 4th or 5th husband. I always wondered why she got married because if you believe in “free love” then you more than likely reject marriage because it is a form of social bondage. Anyway, she was the rebel that I was destined to become. However, unlike her I wanted to make a difference in our society and make a change. I think she only wanted to partake in a life of psychedelic experience.
This past year I have contemplated in joining the Peace Corp. I finally decided that this was a great way to do some soul searching and to make a difference in someone else’s life. I wrote my essay and filled out the application, but I was rejected. I was rejected because my health insurance would not cover me in a 3rd world country. I was a considered a liability. My insurance company said I might be covered in 3 years when “Pre-Existing Conditions” have dissipated. I was really bummed considering I have forked over nearly $7500 in medical bills and insurance premiums in the last 2 years and if I was going to do a selfless act to help others, than I should not be denied, they should just charge me a sh*tload of money. God knows they will take it, but Bureaucratic Red Tape got in my way again of changing the world.
I began to research other ways to contribute to society. I donated feedbags http://www.feedprojects.org (I am still devising a plan on how to conquer world hunger. This occupies a lot of my time) and contributed to Toms Shoe Drop http://www.tomsshoes.com (A friend of mine Tyler Ramsey who is an AMAZING artist, got me hooked on this project.) I do not give money to pan handlers, but I did give a homeless man my black sparkled hat and gloves in front of the Newport before a concert this past February. My friends said that I was going to freeze my ass off and I thought to myself, I might get a little cold, but at least I have a home to go too!
A couple of weeks ago I was watering my flowers outside my house and a spokesperson for the Barack Obama’s Campaign stopped by to talk to me. I was trying to ignore him when I saw him walking down the street. I did this by singing out-loud. If you have ever heard me sing, you would probably avoid me by all costs. This kid did not care how horrible of a singer I was. Therefore, instead of being so self-righteous, I offered this young college democrat some water and listened to what he had to say. He asked me what changes I wanted our next president to make in my life. Not having to ponder on this question too long, I stated the following:
1. Health Care: As much as I want to believe everything that Michael Moore says in the movie Sicko is true, I do have to be a skeptic and I have to recommend that anything that you read or watch…you should be a skeptic too. The only change I want for myself, is no longer be a slave to health insurance. If I were to leave my current career, I would not receive coverage by any future health insurance policy until 2010! I am willing to pay for my insurance, but there are laws that prevent me coverage to any NEW policies. That needs to change.
Obama: Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions.
Click here to read more: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare
McCain: (I am not convinced that there would be a change in regards to this issue.)
Click here to read more: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm
2. Economy: All I want to do is pay my school loans off, my credit card and call it a day. I cannot do this because my interest rates and cost of living is increasing. The industry that I am in has taken a financial hit, which has resulted in not receiving a raise to my base salary in 2 years. Good news is, effective July 1, 2008 I will no longer pay for health insurance. My company is going to cover it. HALLELUJAH!!! However, if our economy does not change, I am out of business and without my career, I will not have medical coverage and I need it to survive. This needs to change.
Obama: Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay.
Click here to read more: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy
McCain: (The record of accomplishment of the Republican Party is less than stellar and they have done nothing to change the lives of middle class families. Thanks G.W.B. for the extra tax rebate, but if you would quit giving “big business’s” tax breaks and just give the American People a break, MAYBE there would be a positive impact on our economy. I mean for f*ck sakes, the American dollar has plummeted the rest of the world is getting rich and we are headed for a recession.)
Click here to read more: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/4dbd2cc7-890e-47f1-882f-b8fc4cfecc78.htm
3. War: I am a lover not a fighter…need I say more!
Obama: Obama will immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq.
Click here to read more: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq
McCain: (G.F.Y.G.W.B.)
Click here to read more: http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/fdeb03a7-30b0-4ece-8e34-4c7ea83f11d8.htm
After a very educational conversation and learning what Barack Obama stood for, I was asked to donate my money. I unfortunately have been burning the wick at both ends and I was unable to make a financial contribution. So instead, I choose to volunteer my time to the Democratic Party in hopes for Barack Obama to become our future president. (This college kid was REALLY CONVINCING!!!)
For those of you who wondered where I was all day Saturday, well I was pounding the pavement in German Village. I woke up early Saturday morning put on my Sunday’s Best and put a ribbon in my hair (a pink one and wore a white dress). I rehearsed the same verbiage that the college kid used on me. I was a little nervous, but my sales tactics kicked in and I took a more humanistic approach in speaking to my neighbors. The majority of them were all Republican. I should have figured this! Instead of trying to convince them why they should vote for Obama, I would ask them why they were going to vote the other way. There are two sides to every story and I did not want to be an ignoramus myself, so I sat and listened to their point of views (Some people actually invited me into their homes and gave me lemonade.) It was a very educational day. I truly learned a lot and feel that I am well versed on both sides of the spectrum. (Shockingly enough I was able to educate myself with the last two brain cells left from Friday night’s debauchery. You always know you are in for a good night when you are at a charity event at Sugar doing shots at 8pm in the afternoon. If anyone finds a pair of black patent leather shoes at the East Village let me know. My friend thinks she left them there!)
Anyway, after a day of conquering the world one multi-million dollar house at a time (You know I only went to visit the really nice house’s. I was not about to go to the ghetto part of G.V. I know, I broke the rules…shoot me!) I went home to rest my little feet’s. I did some more research on the upcoming election and did some writing. Regardless of how you are going to vote, I hope that this has at least triggered you to vote for the issues that mean most to you and for whom you think will make a difference in your life. In addition, there are so many less fortunate than you, so please consider volunteering your time or money to a cause that you find worthy. In closing, George W. Bush is still an IGNORAMUS and if you can prove me wrong then please do so!
