Clete’s Blog

The USA’s 2008 election is the first governmental election of any kind that I will have an opportunity to vote in. This is a very important election for everyone. We face major decisions about the war in Iraq and on many major issues. A lot is at stake in this year’s general election. I have followed this election more than any other. I have been involved in a lot of conversations with people who come from very different cultures and backgrounds. Many of these people support my viewpoints, many of them disagree, and many of them could not care less about politics.

I have been appalled at how little it takes for a certain candidate to obtain an undecided and unopinionated person’s vote. Those of us who are strong conservatives or liberals will not be swayed to vote the opposite way for anything in the world (although this is debatable). However, undecided people are swayed way too easily. I have heard at least ten people tell me that they will vote for Obama because he is “young” and relates to “the younger generation” more than any of the “old” people such as Clinton and McCain. I have had one person tell me that, although they are a liberal, they would not vote for McCain if they were conservative because he is “old” and that he will probably “die in office.”

People disregard the candidate’s actual views and opinions and focus in on the unimportant things. They decide to vote for candidates because they “seem like nice people.” I am not sure if it is the college students’ way or if the entire population is this way, but it’s atrocious. If I wanted to, I could run for President, take all of the “correct” views on all of the issues; that is, the ones that would get me elected. I could completely disagree with all of these views, but I could stand up there, smile, act friendly, cry when I hear a sad story, etc. I could be a complete phony and get some of these idiots to follow me just because I am a down-to-earth and likable character.

What has our country come to? Elect someone because they are honest and they agree with your issues. Elect them because they will lead our country in the right (or should I say correct?) direction. But do NOT elect them because they are nice people and they seem friendly. This is ridiculous. Does anyone want someone in office who is nice but leads our country to demise? I don’t think so.

Amendment: It seems that my post has sparked a large debate over at the Gentoo Forums. Check it out here. It looks like most people agree with my basic argument that people are ignorant. However, many people seem to have some insane (read: extreme socialistic / communistic) ideas on the Gentoo Forums.