September 3rd, 2008
I am Canadian and I have been told in years past for that very reason, I have no right to share my input on the American government, its leader or its policies.
I strongly disagree.
Canada is so americanized these days that whatever happens South of the boarder has a significant impact on Canadians and our country, but many Americans just do not see that because many know every little about Canada and assume it’s the same contrariwise.
Canadians can rhyme off the names of most U.S. first ladies in a second. But ask the average voter to list even a few wives of Canadian political leaders and you’re more than apt to get a blank stare. [source]
Seriously, many of us care more about the US election in November then our own, which coincides with the November 4th polls, some would even prefer to cast their ballot in the US election then our own! No matter if it’s an election year or just day in and day out politics, you can be sure that someone North of the boarder has an opinion. Myself included. Oh, I have opinions.
The thing about an opinion is that it will undoubtedly offend someone.
I wholeheartedly believe that McCain made a knee jerk decision when he appointed Sarah Palin as his running mate: he naively thought he would be able to sway the Hilary vote to Republican by bringing Palin with him to the White House. He thinks that women will vote Republican strictly because Palin is a woman, but instead of swaying those women, he’s managed to insult a great many with the assumption that we naively flock to stand behind a woman, prop her up and burn our bras. He’s assumed we (you) do not have brains, we (you) do not follow politics and we (you) will vote strictly because of gender.
What an unbelievable insult: from the man vying for your vote.
Not only did this man pick a woman, but he picks a woman who has pretty much made a mockery of the Republican policies.
Along with many social conservatives, Palin supports abstinence until marriage yet she as a 17 year old pregnant daughter. Granted, these things happen - but not when you’re a Vice Presidential candidate!
Republicans have defended her by praising her for being very pro-life because she has a downs syndrome son and because her 17 year old daughter did not abstain from sex until marriage, she’s considered a hero for rallying behind her daughter and helping her cope with pregnancy!? With that they say women with pro choice beliefs would have abolished those pregnancies without a second thought.
I find that extremely insulting.
So now this Levi character is forced into marriage because grandma is going to be Vice President and they cannot have a unwed teenage mother as the daughter of a REPUBLICAN Vice President.
Evangelicals are over the moon because Praise the Lord, She’s Pro-Life!! She walks her walks and talks her talk! And with that, she is qualified to be second in command? Fuck, I’m Pro-choice! Pick me to run as the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate.
Oh wait. I have to be an American; I digress.
Obama says: ‘Children are ‘miracles,’ but we have a problem when so many children are having children’ and it’s interpreted by the Republicans as he’s condoning abortion and would want his own grandchild to be aborted!? Um, wha’?
This man speaks his mind, candidly and honestly and all the Republicans can do is twist it trying to make Obama sound vicious and heartless while all they are really doing is making themselves appear uneducated and unknowing.
[Wait, did I do the same thing by assuming that McCain thinks all women will rally behind Palin because she's a woman?]
The Republican campaign is helping the Democrats more then they know!
Obama says that family family is off limits and his campaign will not comment on Bristol’s pregnancy and anyone in his campaign that does will be fired:
“We don’t go after people’s families; we don’t get them involved in the politics. It’s not appropriate, and it’s not relevant,” he added. “Our people were not involved in any way in this, and they will not be. And if I ever thought that there was somebody in my campaign that was involved in something like that, they’d be fired.” [source]
He can make that statement because his campaign doesn’t need to say anything about the Palin situation because the media’s doing it all for them. Frankly, I think he’s brilliant!
Maybe I am so Liberal that I am engrossed with how flawed the Republican party is. Or maybe it’s because I am Canadian and have no business having an opinion about American politics or their (your) election.
American or no, I think we’re all entitled to our opinions. Especially opinions about a government that has been so hellbent lately on interfering in other countries policies.
As an American, and a female, I’m insulted by McCain’s choice for VP, and his apparent reasons for doing so. As far as Palin herself goes, she is against most everything that I am a staunch supporter of, so they wouldn’t have had my vote based on their politics.
As far as her daughter being pregnant? While I don’t feel it’s fair to the daughter for this to have been thrown into the media as it has, it’s out there, and I think it serves as a slap in the face as to most of what Palin preaches. That supporters and religious whacko’s are now all spouting how glorious this is, that she’s going to have the baby… completely chosing to ignore the fact that this is a teen, who had premarital sex, something they frown strongly on. And her mother is HUGE on pushing abstinence only sex-ed.
Furthermore, has anyone really bothered to try and find out what the daughter might REALLY want? Sure, she might be 100% for having this baby, and marrying the father (who by initial appearances looks to be a real douche), but then again, maybe she isn’t. Not that it would matter at this point, because her mothers political career hinges on her having the baby, marrying the father, and saving whatever face they possibly can.
The whole thing is…blah. It just makes my head want to explode.
Amie’s last blog post..I SAID PENIS. BRING IT ON, GOOGLERS!
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Ahem. Since I find it completely impossible to keep my opinions to myself most of the time on just about everything, I say — EXACTLY. I haven’t quite been able to put it in the perfect words, but totally think the Grand OLD Party is stuck on replay, think their voters are stupid, think women are stupid, and…See? I get so disgusted by the entire thing I can’t finish. Has anyone mentioned that it’s a bit strange for Palin to even want to be McCain’s running mate with all she has going on? Sure, women are incredibly strong, and absolutely they can spin plates in the air, and work, and tend to their families — goodness knows I have for years. But honestly. Should she keep on going? What for? And what about the voters that strongly advocate that moms be home with their families. More exceptions?
kellypea’s last blog post..Back to School: Ho Hum
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
You have no idea how sick of the republican party many Americans are. The problem is that there are a LOT of people who vote without their heads and too many democrats who don’t vote at all.
I think you are entitled to your opinion, especially since it coincides with mine.
That was a joke, but part of what makes me so enraged at that party is that many of it’s supporters don’t believe we should be listening to what anybody outside of our country is saying. That’s a HUGE, GAPING problem. We need to get along with our neighbors and telling them to shut the hell up is not a good idea.
Yes, this is OUR country, but we are part of the same world.
For the record, I think McCains choice was two-fold:
a. Hillary voters
b. Alaskan pipeline
It makes me sick how transparent this is.
And yes, I find it incredibly ironic that the same party that wants to teach abstinence only has managed to turn this situation with Palin’s daughter around.
I am not judging Palin or her daughter. Who cares that she’s pregnant? However, I AM judging republican politics. Talk about spin. I wonder if they ever get dizzy.
I could go on and on, but I’ve probably used your blog as a soapbox for long enough…
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I agree, and you are absolutely entitled to an opinion! Being an Obama supporter before he even announced he was running for President, it wouldn’t matter to me if McCain chose Pailin or Spongebob as his running mate. I wouldn’t change my vote anyways.
I agree that her daughter’s pregnancy should be left alone, but really– people in this country thrive on gossip and trash. This election is obviously the most “glamorous” one to date, simply because no matter who wins, this country is MAKING HISTORY. And sadly, there are people out there that will vote McCain-Palin because there’s a woman on the ticket. People will vote for Obama because they want a brotha in the White House, and even more sadly, people will vote AGAINST Obama to avoid having a brotha in the White House. If everyone just made INFORMED decisions when they cast their vote, it would make a huge difference.
I will be tuning in tonight to see Palin speak at the Republican Convention… not because I’m a supporter, but I want to hear what she has to say.
Jenni’s last blog post..Some more of the home tour…
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Religion in politics. It always makes me laugh because I thought that’s why American escaped in the first place, all that separation of State and all.
But you’re right the media has gone mad, but obviously I’m not qualified to comment for similar reasons.
Best wishes
Maddy’s last blog post..Photo Friday - old fashioned
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
dear, I wish you WERE American and could vote! Amen!
Marilyn’s last blog post..Is this thing on?
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
It’s not so much that I am not a religious person but more so that I find the views of the Republican party very close minded.
Maybe I think they’re close minded because I don’t agree with them??
I digress.
I am just shocked that it very much appears McCain hadn’t put a moment’s thought into his selection and he just grabbed a woman to appease those who would have voted for Hilary.
That may not be the case, however that IS how it appears to the public, and aren’t we (they - you) the ones that are voting??? Seriously messed up if you ask me.
Though, I would LOVE for a Republican to weigh in. I would really like to hear what a citizen Republican has to say rather then a CNN correspondent or a party member.
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
You’re right. Palin is a joke. She used to belong to a group that wanted Alaska to leave the United States and now she’s on a ticket promoting “Country first,” that’s the U.S., not Alaska.
She cut funding for teen mothers and has one under her own roof. If she doesn’t want to help her kids why should I trust her to help mine?
She belongs to a church that supports Jews for Jesus which is basically a slap in the face to anyone that practices Judaism.
Under normal circumstances I would agree with you regarding the treatment of her daughter and baby daddy, but the fact is that Sarah Palin is the one that threw her daughter to the lions- you can’t blame lions for enjoying a free meal.
Whit’s last blog post..You Write the Post
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
see…i have the best of both worlds! i am an american living in canada. and you can sure as heck know that i’ll be voting for Sir Obama in the election
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I totally agree–McCain’s choice is an insult to me as a woman . . . and the fact that he couldn’t stop looking at her ass during the speech in which he introduced her makes everything that much worse.
He never would have had my vote anyway, but this is just such a setback, I think, almost worse than never having a woman be nominated in the first place.
anna’s last blog post..Attention: It’s Time for the Second Bimonthly(?)/Periannual/Bicentennial ABDPBT Sucky Sweepstakes!!
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Hmmmmmm, socially I am liberal… economically I am conservative,. I am simply not a party kind of girl; it comes down to issues and leadership qualities for me . And as a staunch Hillary supporter I kinda like Palin. I will however, more than likely still vote Hillary as a write in, but I absolutely will not vote Obama!
shawna’s last blog post..Worldless Wednesday ~ Cuteness
September 4th, 2008 at 12:37 am
I personally feel people are being way too harsh and judgemental on Palin. yes, her daughter is pregnant and yes, she supports abstinance. May I remind people–have you EVER done EVERYTHING your parents taught you? Have you EVER rebelled? You can talk to your kids and teach your kids until you are blue in the face, but all you can do then is hope they listen. I don’t feel it’s fair to blame the parent for the child’s mistake. Do people really think she just said oh yeah, do what you want, I don’t care, I’m going to be VP? I highly doubt it. Being a Christian myself, I firmly believe in abstinance, but I also believe in forgiveness.
I think people need to take a step back and really look at the situation before they judge.
JMO.
Brenda’s last blog post..My Road trip!
September 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I appreciate you saying something Brenda!
You’re absolutely 110% correct. I didn’t listen to my parents requests either. Bristol is just a regular teenager and has regular needs or wants as a teenager. Defying your parents is a ‘regular’ part of being a teenager I think.
I have concerns about the fact that Palin very much pushes abstinence only education. Her own child has not learnt the significance of abstinence only, how can she stand behind that for an entire nation? Teenagers need to be given the information to make a safe and EDUCATED decision regarding their sexual health. Sure, push for abstinence only, but give the young adults the tools to make a safe decision - that requires knowing about sex and protection.
I love the fact that Palin is a working mom of five children. I love the fact that she has a challenged child and that she’s a running mate for VP.
I just believe that McCain made his decision for all the WRONG reasons and that’s just sad.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am
This is to Brenda:
I know you weren’t necessarily directing that comment at anyone in particular. However, I think that myself, and a lot of other people, that are making comments on the fact that the girl is pregnant aren’t doing it necessarily to point a finger at Palin and go, “Bad mother! BAD MOTHER!”
I have a daughter myself, and I know full well that no matter what I teach her, she is eventually going to make decisions for herself, and they may fly in the face of what I want for her. I can’t control her, and I understand that. Do I want her to abstain from sex? Absolutely, until she’s old enough to make smart choices, understands how to protect herself, and is capable of dealing with the consequences that can occur from being sexually active.
However, what I think Palin’s daughter winding up pregnant shows (and I believe this is the point a lot of other people are trying to make), is that an abstinence only based sex-education program (which Palin staunchly supports) DOES NOT WORK. And it’s exactly because kids are not always going to listen to what their parents tell them. Giving them the knowledge to protect themselves, should they decide to become sexually active (which many, if not most, of them are going to do) can help to prevent these unwanted pregnancies, as well as diseases. Let’s all just be thankful that this poor girl didn’t wind up not only pregnant, but with AIDS or any other form of STD.
You don’t have to be a Christian to believe in abstinence. I am not Christian, and while I don’t believe that sex should necessarily be saved until after you’re married (though there is certainly NOTHING wrong with someone choosing to wait), I do firmly believe that it should wait until the person having it is mature enough to handle all aspects of it. That is why I feel teenagers need a balanced sex ed program, that encompasses ALL possible scenarios.
Sam: Sorry to use your blog as a soap box. I just saw that comment, and felt the need to respond. It’s easy for those us of who are making comments about Palin’s daughter to be seen in a light of judging her for being a bad parent, when in reality, that has nothing to do with the concerns and comments that are being raised.
Amie’s last blog post..I SAID PENIS. BRING IT ON, GOOGLERS!
September 4th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I am very open to discussion and I believe we all have a right to state our opinions!
Soap box away!
Having said that, I am not one to close comments or edit them - unless there is a personal attack.
xox
September 4th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Here’s what gets me.
The “defense” of Palin’s daughter being pregnant despite HER pro-abstinence stance is
“this stuff happens”.
And all I can think is “WE KNOW! THAT’S WHAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU FOR YEARS! This stuff happens, and you can’t just stick your head in the sand and wish it wouldn’t. You have to DEAL with it and prepare for it with proper education.”
Miss Britt’s last blog post..Sarah Palin - What Republicans Think
September 4th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I am insulted by the entire McCain/Palin campaign and what they stand for. After last night where Obama was blatantly being MOCKED, I am totally pissed off.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I just want to address Brenda’s comment. I am not judging Palin OR her daughter, but to me, the fact that her daughter got pregnant in a household that teaches abstinence tells me that it didn’t work for them. So why only teach abstinence? It isn’t about me not understanding that teenagers have their own minds, it’s about the fact that the abstinence only speil is not (IMO) the most effective tool out there. And yes, her daughter could have gotten pregnant either way, but I do find it ironic. Sorry. I also know that if this had been Obama’s daughter, conservatives would have used this as an opportunity to make Obama look bad. I think the criticism that Palin has received pales in comparison of what would happen to a democrat.
I don’t think there are very many people that are judging her, most of us just think it’s kind of ironic. My opinion on Palin herself is that she isn’t for me, but my opinion has nothing to do with the fact that her daughter is pregnant.
I just want to make that clear, lest you think I’m jumping to conclusions about this woman based solely on the fact that her daughter is pregnant.
September 4th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I am not happy with Palin as McCain’s choice, I have said all along he chose her because she is a woman and women will vote for a woman. But I just don’t like Obama either. He wants change, but what kind of change, I have yet to hear him give a straight answer to direct questions. McCain will be another Bush. We are screwed either way we go! I guess I must just decide between the lesser of two evils.
justmylife’s last blog post..the neverending weekend or…….
September 4th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I say why NOT judge Palin? The first thing she said in her speech with McCain last week was how she is a mother. She routinely promotes that she is a “regular hockey mom”. I’m just saying, if you are going to play up the fact that you are a mom and a woman in your campaign, then I will judge you as such! How can I *not* think about her as a mom and woman, when McCain ADMITS that’s why he chose her?
Personally the most repugnant thing she’s done (in my opinion) is going back to work three days after giving birth to her special needs son. It keeps me up at night. He needs a mother - and instead has a sister who must be so used to mothering her siblings that she is now becoming a mother herself.
1) it shows that Palin doesn’t care about her own health (as no sane doctor would condone her returning to a supposedly streessful job so soon) or her son’s health for that matter
2) it shows she must be a horrific executive and leader. if she can’t take a few weeks off from work and trust others to make decisions for her, then she obviously has no capacity to lead. This lack of ledership has additionally been demonstrated during the multiple suspicious firings during both her mayoral and gubernatorial stint.
All in all, I am completely disgusted over the idea that this person could be Vice President.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Oh, and here’s a great article by the AP:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check
And justmylife, Obama has given very clear, straight answers when asked questions about his plans. If you would have watched his speech you would have been blown away by his openness and clarity about his priorities. If you *did* watch his speech and still didn’t get it, then you might consider watching it again if you really are on the fence about whom to vote for.
I know this will sound harsh, but samantha is so kindly giving us room to discuss and debate, so I will come out with it - you can’t blame a political candidate for being unclear with his/her strategy if you don’t take the time to listen to what he or she says. It’s as simple as that. We all have the responsibility to educate ourselves, particularly this time around - the entire country is doing worse under the current administration. Studies have shown that for the last sixty years, America has done BETTER under the Democratic party than the Republican party (GDP up, _take-home income up_, unemployment down).
America, educate yourself instead of just watching the sound bytes on the evening news.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I have the same strong opinions about the US election (as a Canadian) as you do. Partly because of the significant influence their policies have on our lives. Partly because of the significant influence their policies have on the rest of the world especially places like Iraq. But also because, and I’ll admit it, US politicians are infinitely more interesting and juicy and dramatic than ours. It’s epic. WIth us we have three choices bland, bland or, um, bland. I used to be a passionate political advocate (as passionate as a Canuck can get about politics) but the last several years we’ve lacked any promise of leadership that has any charisma or nation-rallying-vision. Not having the ability to pick our party leaders in the same way that the American’s do has alot to do with that. If we did, I think neither Harper or Dion would be on any ticket.
As far as Palin, there is a piece of me that thinks is good that there is a woman VP running for one of the parties. But I only wish it were because she was the best person for the job and not because she was a woman sitting at the doorway to the oil pipeline. It’s offensive and feels like tokenism to the feminist in me. And the critics of her on fuel all those broken, worn out stereotypes.
Thanks for writing this post my friend. I’ve been toying with a similar notion but you did it better than I could have.
Sandra’s last blog post..So He Won’t Get Beat Up
September 4th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hey, your country’s dollar is kicking ours’ ass. Opinionate all you want on our politics.
always home and uncool’s last blog post..Singalong with Sarah Palin!
September 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Your comments about being interested in the US election despite being Canadian could apply all over the world. We’re all affected by US policy. I’m following the election and I’m Australian.
(and yes, I’d be a Democrat too)
September 6th, 2008 at 5:59 am
A Canadian that would be a Democrat? Well gosh…who knew THAT would be the case *guffaw*
Also, I thought pontificating on American politics was the main Canadian passtime. Like football for America.
I love talking politics with Canadians. It’s a cool perspective.
jennydecki’s last blog post..Finance Fridays Bonus: Student Loan Rehabilitation
September 6th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I have read your site for awhile and I am subscribed because I love your writing, but I have never commented…just not that type of person. But I HAD to comment on this…what an awesome, awesome, awesome read. This is one of the best opinions I have read yet. Kudos!
Julia’s last blog post..Guitar
September 7th, 2008 at 2:34 am