In a recent conversation with a friend who works in the school system with the under privileged children in Sarasota, he commented on hearing many of his kids talking about Dr Ben Carson. He specified that these were young, middle school aged kids and told me that he made a point of asking them, "If you were old enough to vote, who would you vote for?"
"Carson!" seemed to be the almost unanimous response he would get time after time. And yet, when he asked them why, the answer was almost always, "Because he's black."
He shared this with me while shaking his head and letting out a sigh. "They're so misinformed and, of course, don't really understand the impact of who we vote for and why. You can't get mad at them. They're too young to know better and it's obvious that most are just imitating what they hear from their parents."
How unfortunate and yes, how sad that so many people in such a great country with so many options and possibilities would squander their duty (and privilege) to vote for the best candidate. As our government becomes more and more corrupt - as our electoral process becomes more and more predictable - as the mainstream majority becomes more and more a minority player in the grand scheme of things - as social media becomes more and more invasive and capable of being wielded as a tool - and we are content in many sectors to embrace politics and elections as popularity contests.
No one would be shocked to learn the truth about how many in the black community voted blindly for Obama while simultaneously condemning whites for prejudging them based on the color of their skin. And now, many of those same people will vote for Carson for the same reason, regardless of the fact that his background, values and political positions couldn't be more polar opposite from Obama.
And no, this is no rant about blacks doing the black thing. It's no social commentary on why Obama or Carson should or should not be backed ... by anyone.
Rather, I intended to point out some of the irony and irrationality that infects ours system in the hopes that... start with just one voice... and then another... and then another... we can start to make a difference. Let's start telling our kids the truth. Let's offer up a national plea for sensibility and level-headed thoughtfulness among the adults. Let's beg our friends and neighbors to look past the superficial and trivial fluff and learn the facts about who REALLY has the best intentions... and abilities... to do what's BEST FOR OUR NATION. (and not just a sub group of the population)
Who cares if Trump has funny hair? Who cares if Sanders is older than dirt? Who cares what pant suit Hillary is wearing this week? Who cares how much energy Jeb has? Okay... that one might matter. Who cares if Carly can smile without being told to do so?
Again, this isn't a rant about blacks.
How many Hispanics will not vote for a candidate with a strong platform on immigration, even though it has no bearing on them or their lifestyle. What? Just because they're Hispanic? Or because they don't think we should keep "their people" from entering the country illegally? That's just as short-sighted as the issue mentioned earlier with the black kids. It's not a decision based on facts or what's best for the country. It's based on emotion and/or ethnic persuasion.
If you're not going to take the trouble to learn the facts and evaluate them against what is truly BEST for the country, you should stay home and don't vote. I'm sure I'll catch hell for that, but who cares. It makes more sense than voting blindly for someone you know nothing about (nothing substantial).
I remember back in the old days (yes, back in the 80's) when Eddy Murphy had a bit in his routine about the guy who thought it might be funny to vote for the black candidate... which of course got a big laugh back then. And then he drops his jaw with a blank stare and says, "And then the next morning, he's like.... what? He fuckin' won?"
Hard to make jokes like that these days. That shit's for real now!
How many deadbeats living on welfare and food stamps will vote blindly for a democrat because it's easier to have kids than get a job. It's easier spend all day playing on your new cell phone than to earn a living and support your kids. Why vote for someone who might cut back on entitlements and hand outs? Who cares if it's bankrupting the country and stifling our economy and annoying the crap out of the millions of people who don't use the entitlements.... but have to keep paying for them.
I know we have problems. Health care is a big one. Homeland security and our foreign policy... don't get me started. 19 trillion dollars in debt and we're still giving money to third world countries and middle East rebels while a gazillion homeless and yes.... wounded warriors sit here in the US and wonder when someone will notice.
I'm not a political pundit and this blog will NEVER worry about being politically correct. And this isn't a political rant. It's a plea for common sense.
KNOW who you're voting for or don't vote. Watch the debates. Go to a rally. Read a newspaper. Watch the news.... but make sure you watch both CNN and FOX... so you get both sides of the same stories.
What? You didn't realize that most media only reports with a liberal slant?
Yep... just one of the many recent revelations making those of us who actually pay attention to what matters roll our eyes and slap our foreheads.
Want to know more?
What about the fact that Hillary lies.... over and over and over?
Even better, did you know there's a chance Donald Trump could win?
Regardless of who you "think" you should vote for, why not take some time to find out for sure. Dig into the reasons everything I've said above is true. And if you doubt it, dig a little more.
Then, when it's all said and done, vote for Sanders is you believe socialism has EVER been a good thing for the people. No.... no.... better yet... just stay home.
