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| Author: Posted: Sep. 8, 2002 | This Page Viewed: 7,001,008 |
Question of the Week: 83 - 10/27/2002 Time to Talk Politics and Elections… Eek! It’s the silly season again. For U.S. Pagans/Heathens: The U.S. is holding mid-term elections Nov. 5th. Will you be voting? What are the issues that are most important to you? Do you vote by issue or by party? Do you have any thoughts on how it will turn out? Non-U.S. Pagans/Heathens: The U.S. is woefully ignorant about your political processes. Please enlighten us. How many parties do you have? What are the names of the parties and what platforms do they represent? Do you have 'liberals' and 'conservatives'? How often do you vote? Do you elect representatives? How do you contact these representatives about your issues? As always while talking politics, discussions can become heated. Please stay on the issues and do not resort to personal attacks. Further discussions should be taken to e-mail. |
| Reponses: There are 109 responses posted to this question. | Reverse Sort |
| I Will Be Voting Today... Hope You Are To. | Nov 5th. at 12:27:49 pm EST |
| Jake M. (Austin Tex) | Age: 48 - Email |
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I really do hope that american's rise to this occasion and block the 'jesus/guns' crowd from taking over the government. Your religious and personal freedom (or what's left of it) hangs in the balance. |
| For The Sweeper | Nov 5th. at 12:44:21 pm EST |
| Prytan (South Jersey) | Age: 50 - Email |
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1. Yes, I say Blessed be to all, whether they agree with me or not. Differing opinions are a righteous thing. 2. Politics, unfortunately, does NOT bring out the best in us all. I didn't make it that way and it's not likely to change anytime soon. 3. Anger and hate ARE effective motivators, no matter who likes it. 4. Don't attempt to divine the things that influence my opinions, or second-guess my intelligence, reason or wisdom. You're likely to be wrong. 5. I don't give a damn whether you're proud to be an American or not. BB, Prytan |
| Green--For Her Sake | Nov 5th. at 12:58:04 pm EST |
| Snapdragon (near Seattle) | Age: 54 - Email |
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I began as an activist around civil rights and the war in Vietnam, while still in high school. Now I'm in my 50s, and we have made some headway on civil rights, but wars are still a commonplace. The world is ecologically much worse off, and the nuclear threat has been enhanced by biological and chemical weapons. Folks, "business as usual" isn't going to suffice--if we are going to save this planet from destruction, we have got to act, and strike at some of the roots of this cancer. "Doing deals" in the marketplace of the US Congress and White House will only perpetuate the current cycle of pollution, government secrecy and lies, and covert terrorism that comes back to haunt us. Build the Green movement, wherever you are. For the sake of Her who is this world, radiant and alive. The Power we need to raise, is power to the people...while there is still time. |
| Voting, Politics, And Other Such Thoughts | Nov 5th. at 1:49:36 pm EST |
| Clio (York PA) | Age: 29 - Email |
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I voted this morning--I voted the Green Party across the board, except where incumbents had no competition (which sadly happens frequently in my area). I became involved with the Green Party because of severe disillusionment with big party politics. I met Michael Morrill, PA's Green candidate for governor, as well as 19th Congressional distric candidate Ben Price and talked to them. And they truly listened to my issues and concerns. I also realized at that same time that I share many beliefs with the Green Party and there I could feel comfortable. So I voted today. I voted Green today and I am tremendously happy with that. |
| Voting For The Lesser Of 2 Weasels | Nov 5th. at 2:05:54 pm EST |
| Anneka (Nevada, USA) | Age: 24 - Email |
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It's funny, I've always been a registered Democrat, but this election, I voted mostly Republican. In this state, most of the Democrats are very much pro-gun-control. The way I see it, the second amendment (the right to keep and bear arms) is what the founding fathers left us to make sure our government doesn't restrict our OTHER rights. It seems the people most qualified to run our country don't want the job, so we're left with a picked-over, less than satisfying ballot. |
| Prytan | Nov 5th. at 2:08:26 pm EST |
| The Sweeper (OK) | Age: 48 - Email |
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Prytan Blessing those who disagree with us is part of be at peace with our selves, however, blessing them in the same breath we used to call them fools and fascist seem a bit hypocritical does it not? We may not have made “it “ that way, however, by participating in the name calling and hate we perpetuate “it”. Succumbing to the thrill of hate and anger is simply wrong. Hate and anger blinds us, behind its cheery red glow we can comfortably ignore the real world of fact and reason. How can we hope to achieve peace in this world if we look at our opposition as monsters rather then people with differing opinions? How can we be happy achieving our objectives if the tools we use are “enormous store of anger… a…massive amount of hatred”? I make no attempt to divine what may influence your opinions, I simply observer and comment. To your statement “I don't think they've given full credence to the enormous store of anger there is in this country about the stolen 2000 election or the massive amount of hatred there is for Bush. Anger and hate are very effective motivators at election time.” I simply commented on the sadness of such a truth. I did not comment on your intelligence, reason or wisdom I spoke only toward the over all motivations of society in general, if you fall in with those who are driven by their fears and hatred rather then reason I can not know that. I love my country, however, I am somewhat chagrinned when I realize that the whole world watches as we slander and malign each other and debase ourselves for want of power and control. The Sweeper |
| My Final Post For Sweeper (I Promise). | Nov 5th. at 2:57:27 pm EST |
| Prytan (South Jersey) | Age: 50 - Email |
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I call people and things what I see them to be. To do otherwise would be less than honest. If this displeases others, so be it. It's also possible to be reasonable and rational and still hate something or someone. As an example, I have a reasonable, rational and well developed hatred for Jerry Falwell, a hatred for which I am utterly unapologetic. As far as debasing ourselves for power and control, I kind of like a little wallow now and then. Very liberating to the soul. I guess we'll agree to disagree. Be well. Vote. BB, Prytan |
| Recycling Cans | Nov 5th. at 5:28:09 pm EST |
| lilith (los angeles) | Age: 33 - Email |
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like i've said before, in other posts and possibly on this thread, voting is like recycling cans. aint gonna save the planet, but its something one should do. so this morning i went to the polls and voted green across the board except for one office, lieut gov, and in that case i went libertarian. i said to my mother last night that i sure as hell hope bill simon doesnt win the governor's office, but by the same token i'll be damned if i vote for an incompetant f**k like gray davis again no matter how much i want simon as far away from any political office as heaven and earth will allow. i dont know how other states work [or dont work] but here in california when the people [stupidly] decided on severe term limits for elected officials the result has been that absolutely nothing gets done in sacramento, and the people end up with a gajillion ballot measures on things that really we should not have to deal with. for example, why should a bunch of people who in most cases know nothing about the intricacies of how the medical industry works [or doesnt work] be voting on how to control that? these are the things our legislators have abandoned to us. they are seriously overpaid for the little that they do, and the little that they do is oftentimes the WORST anyone could do. then of course there are all the city and county measures, which are exciting, and if anyone out there cares about things like "should the san fernando valley secede from the city of los angeles" type questions, there is a hilarious historical "reenactment" floating around out there done History Channel style and i think you can find it on the NPR site, possibly the Studio 51 series-- anyway. thought i'd just rant now that i've gone and done the whole dutiful-citizen thing. |
| Glad We Can Agree To Disagree | Nov 5th. at 11:11:18 pm EST |
| Tink (Germany) | Age: 31 - Email |
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Well I'm glad you to Gentalmen decided to talk more civilized. That shows your intelligence and maturity. Observation from Outside (the US scene): An effective Green party is helpfull to both the planet and the government. Ours is 8% of the seats in Parliment and that is enough to get many ecological measures passed without being too many so that the ecoterrorists get what they want, wich would destroy the economie. I suggest Voteing Green in your land. You won't see a Green President, but you will see more Green influance, wich can't hurt. Not only does the American right to "Keep and Bear Arms" keep Americans free, it also keeps the rest of us free. I shutter to think of an America, with it's might, under a Bush or Gore with tottal control and no fear of the nations citizens. German citizens have been stipped of their rights before by a powerfull few, useing "anger and hatred" to catapult them to power. Don't beleive it can't happen in your country to. Ambitious people will stop at nothing to get ALL the marbles. I believe it is a Witch's Right to hate if they want to. to hate and be angery and cuss and swear. We are not Christians. We don't Have To "love" everyone". We don't even have to Bless people we don't want to. Stop being hypocritical. Please don't say (our wright) words you don't mean. We've all had enough of that with the Christians. I hope that things work out well over there. We are not too happy with what we got. But that is the way of Democracy. It's far better then any system that has come before it. I salute the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) of the USA for the backbone and courage it took to stand up to tyrants and in doing so lift the world out of the dark ages. Tink |
| Well....crap. | Nov 6th. at 9:29:35 am EST |
| Morrighan (Heading for a ship to the moon) | Age: 24 - Email |
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The GOP has taken control, as I'm sure most of you have already learned. What next? Have we lost our say in government? I believe so, and it's all due to the GOP party's rhetoric, what their agenda is, in other words. I don't believe they are going to listen to the masses, because for them, the "masses" have spoken and put them all into power. How do we deal with this? In the Constitution, we are given the right to remove the government officials, forceably if necessary, to reinstate a government that best suits the idea of America. Who is going to pull together and do this? I'm afraid, we've come too far to retaliate now. Tink, I like you admonitions. You've got a valid point. What happened in Germany can happen anywhere at anytime. I think it is happening here, slowly, but surely. It frightens me. It frightens me, but not into hiding. I say stay afloat, stay active, scream, kick, and shout, if you've got to. Let's not let them take us down without a little something. This is not my usual post-type. I suppose it is because I'm worried for us all. There has been so much anger directed at others with this question. I feel like that anger should be directed elsewhere, because we aren't being represented. I think Tink is also right, when saying that anger and hatred are not something to be feared, as we aren't Christians. I know, I know, it's harsh, but so are our times. I'm not suggesting, of course, that we launch full scale violence. I just think it's okay to be really ticked, really disgusted with our political system, and want to kick something. This is our lives and the lives of our children. We can get mad. *She* won't mind. |
| Anyone Else Feel The Scales Of Balance Gone Haywire? | Nov 6th. at 12:16:44 pm EST |
| Stephanie Stanton (New Orleans) | Age: 47 - Email |
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I've horrified. And I would be nearly as horrified by a Democratic President, Senate and House. Any semblence of balance is gone. What checks and balances will we have? I doubt that I will ever see a W/P/W in the White House in my lifetime, but we must insist on having a voice. We must insist that the Constitution remains in tact. We must demand of our elected officials that they adhere to that Constitution. Hold onto your Witchhats folks, because it's going to be a bumpy ride. |
| Let's Keep Track | Nov 6th. at 12:32:23 pm EST |
| Irusan (Bastrop, TX) | Age: 53 - Email |
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I believe one useful thing to do, in light of the Republicans gaining even more power, is to keep careful recording of the measures they take to limit our religious rights. I am sorry that I did not point out earlier that GW Bush, while still governor of Texas, came out and said clearly that he did not believe Witchcraft is a religion and witches have no protection of their religion under the Constitution. He said this in the context of the Fort Hood Wiccan controversy of 1999. Check it out if you doubt me. Republican Bob Barr was very zealous about denying Wiccans the right of worship. It would be good to have a website to record all such statements, plus voting records of the various political parties as regards to religious rights. There was so much incredible misinformation this time around, like the person who actually thought that the Bush administration was instrumental in bringing down Enron - don't you realize they did all they could to obstruct that investigation? Anyway, let the Republicans show what they can do, but watch and keep records, for next time. By the way, I am committed totally to nonviolent resistance - it is the only way to insure real lasting change. Otherwise it is just eternal blood-feuding - the right wing gun nuts are really following Chairman Mao's philosophy, that all power comes from the barrel of a gun. |
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