Weekly Question
|
The Rules
| Note: The opinions posted on the Pagan Perspective pages are those of individuals and are not neccessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc. |
For Further
Discussion
Visit The
WitchVox List
of 242
Communication
'Net Sites:
Chat Boards
Email Lists
IRC Channels
| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 6,988,915 |
Question of the Week: 12 - 10/23/2000 Pagan Choice for the y2k US Election This week's Pagan Perspective question is a redux of one that we asked about at the beginning of August... And we apologize in advance to our non-United States readers that we have again brought up an issue that is rather exclusive to just one country, but feel free to comment on the shenanigans of the American political system as you see it.) Which political platform or candidate are you leaning towards? Have you made up your mind or changed your mind? Will you vote and who-if you don't mind telling the world-are you planning to vote for? Why have you made this particular choice? |
| Reponses: There are 129 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| Today I Asked A Friend Of Mine, A New Pagan, Who He... | Oct 23rd. at 1:41:16 am EDT |
| Gryphontamer (Corona, California US) | Age: 29 - Email |
|
Today I asked a friend of mine, a new pagan, who he was planning to vote for in this election. His answer: "Bush." After five minutes or so of talking, he was convinced that that would be like shooting himself in the foot. He's now going to vote for Gore. I wish we had a third option, but I'm not willing to give up my religious freedom. I'm voting for Gore, and then I'm changing my affiliation to Green. Hopefully in four years the Greens will have a better candidate available and we can start to really make a difference. For those of you thinking of voting for Mr. Bush -- do you really *want* to live in a theocracy? Because I'm convinced that that is precisely what will happen. |
| Al Gore Will Be Much Friendlier To The Earth, Of That There... | Oct 23rd. at 2:26:16 am EDT |
| the ShadowDancer (Tucson, Arizona US) | Age: 47 - Email |
|
Al Gore will be much friendlier to the Earth, of that there can be no doubt. No one who is interested in protecting the environment should even consider Bush, because with him (oil) industry preceeds any other concern. He has stated that he will exploit a pristine national wilderness for a trivial amount of oil. Also, Bush has said that he does not believe that "witchcraft" can be a religion. He is no more a friend of Pagandom than he is of the Earth. Both candidates are bought and sold by major $$$$$$. I would prefer Nader, but he can't win so if I vote for him it will be one less for Gore. I am a registered independent, but am seriously considering Green as well. |
| One Of The Most Important Aspects Of Being An American Citizen, Is... | Oct 23rd. at 2:31:13 am EDT |
| GriffinWolf (Portland, Oregon US) | Age: 31 - Email |
|
One of the most important aspects of being an American citizen, is that of the voting process to determine our nation's leader, the President. I for one, absolutely HATE election time, or rather the month leading up to it. All you see or hear about on TV, Radio or whatnot, is about the elections and the voting issues. Oh well, there are some people who just need to hear the information more before they can make an informed decision. Myself, personally, am voting for Al Gore on election day. I have followed both candidates and their personal life choices and affiliations carefully over the last year. I believe that the person who would be best suited for the job is Al Gore. One very important reason that I have made this choice is the fact that he supports and adheres to the idea that our Founding Fathers had for this nation, a land where people were free to practice their faith, or no faith at all...without fear of persecution or prosection. He believes in keeping the serparation wall between Church and State standing tall...which is where it belongs. I fear that due to statements that Bush has made recently about Witchcraft not being considered a religion to him, could pose a threat to this religious peace that we have enjoyed here in this country of the free. Al Gore is also a proponent for the environment...for the Earth. I guess, after all is said and done, my decision is made because I AM an American, and I believe in the on-going vision of our Founding Fathers. I vote for freedom. |
| While I Would Prefer To Vote "green" At This Juncture In The... | Oct 23rd. at 7:24:16 am EDT |
| Trish Telesco (western , New York US) | Age: 40 - Email |
|
While I would prefer to vote "green" at this juncture in the race those votes are lost, and since this is definitely a two-man race, it seems best to vote for the person who would continue our freedoms rather than hamper them - and Gore is definitely that man. While I'm not thrilled with either choice, the race is too tight to allow ANY vote to not count against Bush (again, why I've gone this route over the green line). |
| I Agree With Gryphontamer. I Will Vote My Absentee Ballot For Al... | Oct 23rd. at 7:35:19 am EDT |
| Raven (Johannesburg, Saudi Arabia) | Age: 52 - Email |
|
I agree with Gryphontamer. I will vote my absentee ballot for Al Gore because voting for Bush is unacceptable on so many levels, but mostly because he is patently anti-Witch! Thank goodness I am missing that entire hullabaloo over in the USA right now. I liked Nader because of his honesty and concerns for the environment, but unfortunately, giving him my vote would be like giving it to Bush and that is just unfathomable. Nader is probably going to take votes away from Gore just like Perot took votes away from the elder Bush in '92. That's too bad. I wish he were going to get more Republican votes to help Gore. This is one of those elections where it's "Gee, this guy isn't my perfect choice, but he is archaeological levels above Bush"! So, because of the separation of Church and State argument, if nothing else, I will vote for Gore. |
| Georgie Jr. Hasn't The International Experience To Deal With The Volatile Mid... | Oct 23rd. at 9:35:47 am EDT |
| Andy Giamis (Binghamton, New York US) | Age: 28 - Email |
|
Georgie Jr. hasn't the international experience to deal with the volatile Mid East. His programs and "reforms" are obviously directed to benefit the wealthy and "other" right wingers. No matter where I cast my vote, I cast my vote against George Bush. I think Al Gore would do a good job, but I really don't trust him. I would almost consider voting for him. I know that he will fight for the environment. He will appoint pro choice justices to the Supreme Court. He will veto any attempt from Senator Lott to expell Wiccans from the military. But I feel that he will also bend to the influence of lobby groups and special interests. The third party canidates are interesting this year. Pat Buchannan: I suspect that his closet holds a ritualistic "hooded white robe" Ralph Nader: I like his environmental platform, however I think he'd be a bait fish thrown into the DC shark pool. John Hagelin: Surprisingly, I actually agree with his entire platform. Being a physics grad. student, I like the idea of actually having an intellectual president as opposed to having some guy whose daddy got him into college and probably paid extra so they wouldn't kick him out. Unfortunately, Hagelin doesn't have the exposure. I want to vote for him, but I am afraid that a vote for him will benefit Bush. I don't want to do that. I am indifferent to the remaining third party canidates. I guess my voice supports John Hagelin, but my vote is still undecided. I should vote my heart, but I also feel that the stakes are very high in this election. I can stomach Gore as president, but I fear Bush. |
| After Reading The Responses To The Questions On Religious Freedom On Web... | Oct 23rd. at 10:06:28 am EDT |
| Akriel WatchingWolf (Tucson, Arizona US) | Age: 29 - Email |
|
After reading the responses to the questions on religious freedom on Web, White and Blue, how could any pagan vote for Bush? In one breath he espouses his commitment to freedom of religion and in the next he makes the statement that he doesn't think witchcraft (the question actually asked about Wicca specifically) is a religion and that it should not be promoted by the military. I think that is a dangerous statement coming from some one who may be the next leader of our country, and, if so, commander-in-chief of our military. What gives any individual the right to determine if a religion is valid? What happens when "all those damned pagans" are dealt with? Maybe Buddhism is next? Hinduism? If Wicca can so easily be dismissed as a false religeon, why not any other faith not endorsed by men like George W. Bush? O.K., rant mode off... I was going to vote Green Party, but I know they don't really have a chance. And just to do my part to try to avoid having a closed-minded individual like Bush as our president, I will be voting for Gore. |
| I Have To Say That I Am Not Particularly Happy With Either... | Oct 23rd. at 10:19:17 am EDT |
| Loyalty LionRose (Shreveport, Louisiana US) | Age: 20 - Email |
|
I have to say that I am not particularly happy with either of the choices we have for this election. Bush, for obvious reasons. While I do support Gore for being more tolerant, and for his evironmental stance, I have not had the chance to read about his entire platform. I know, I know, Im making an uneducated vote. I really do wish that there were other candidates that actually had a chance of beating Bush or Gore, but that does not seem feasible. I really dislike the fact that I will vote for Gore simply because I do not want Bush in office. As someone else said, I fear Bush. I really do. |
| Well, Here We Go Looking For The Lesser Of Evils Again! I... | Oct 23rd. at 10:47:50 am EDT |
| Tony (Tampa, Florida US) | Age: 28 - Email |
|
Well, here we go looking for the lesser of evils again! I certainly won't be voting for Buchanan. I have heard two radio spots repeatedly played on my favorite radio station and their thinly veiled racism has caused me to stop listening to that station. I don't like Bush much either. It's convenient to be able to pick and choose what one thinks of as religion. Unfortunately, the exclusivist "Christian" doctrine that creates this view is likely to devour the rest of us prior to turning within itself. Gore has his own problems as well, but the best thing that I can say about him is that he's not Buchanan or Bush. I've not heard much about the other candidates, beyond the fact that Nader is running on a Green platform. As of yet, I've not decided whom to vote for -- but I will vote and make it count the best that I can. |
| For The Past Several Months, I Have Read Many Things About The... | Oct 23rd. at 10:53:11 am EDT |
| Stephanie Rose DeNicola (Culpeper, Virginia US) | Age: 23 - Email |
|
For the past several months, I have read many things about the presidential candidates. I am a registered Democrat, but have not always voted for that party. I was torn between both George W. Bush and Al Gore, because I didn't want to commit to one until I had reasons. After much thought, I have decided to vote for Al Gore. There were just too many things with Bush to vote for him. I think he has done wonderful things for education in his state. However, he desires to overturn Roe Vs. Wade. Also, in his religious diversity statement, he said he only honors the mainstream religions of Christianity, Judaism, Muslim, etc. and feels Witchcraft is not a real religion. I cannot support a candidate who feels that way. By contrast, I agree with Gore about using the planned surplus on education and smaller tax cuts. Gore supports a woman's right to choose as well as religious diversity and separation of church and state. |
| I'm Voting For Gore. My Personal Preference Is For Nader, But Imo... | Oct 23rd. at 11:15:23 am EDT |
| Carol (Columbus, Ohio US) | Age: 42 |
|
I'm voting for Gore. My personal preference is for Nader, but IMO, votes for Nader will help George Dubya. My main concern is protecting our rights as Pagans, and this affects my decision in two ways. The most important is the future Supreme Court appointees by our next president. Dubya's role models for his choices are Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas -- extreme right judges. The second is the congressional attempts to outlaw minority religions in the military by Rep. Barr, and now, James Traficant. For the second time, George Dubya has said Wicca is not a real religion and should be outlawed. Do we want a president who would criminalize us? Or do we want someone who will not speak about our denomination specifically, but who supports the rights of all Americans of all faiths? This is a no brainer for me! We're here, we're polytheistic, we're Americans and we VOTE! B*B, Carol |
| Well, I Intend To Vote For Gore. While I Don't Exactly Care... | Oct 23rd. at 11:59:19 am EDT |
| Lori Dake (Chicago, Illinois US) | Age: 26 - Email |
|
Well, I intend to vote for Gore. While I don't exactly care for his wife Tipper and the whole PMRC thing she pulled back in the 80s (which is responsible for the warning labels on CDs nowadays), he seems like our best chance at reserving our freedoms. Nader and Buchanan are just not feasible, since there's so many people who vote by party only, Democrat or Republican (which, IMHO is just not right - people need to spend a few extra minutes and vote for individuals, not parties). People who vote for either of these folks, while I believe Nader is the best man for the job, really won't make a dent in the percentages. Remember the mere 1% of votes for Perot in '92? Bush himself IMHO is an idiot, but he surrounds himself with clever people. He's got the Fundies backing him up, including my favorite "villan", Pat Robertson. I highly urge everyone who can to vote this year - and PLEASE remember: whoever goes into office this time around gets to pick three, maybe four Supreme Court Justices. If you can't vote yourself, encourage others who can!! |
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.