Political Awareness

Sam · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 01:26 AM

I made a statement on the "spam" thread about level of intelligence and political leanings."Are you" called me on it and after reading my knee jerk response to Diz he was right to do so. I will try to explain what I was trying to communicate. While visiting Columbus, Ohio just weeks before the election of 2004 a nieghborhood in Columbus called Upper Arlington which had always been a hardcore republican supportive neighborhood had signs made that said"Upper Arlington" for Kerry. CNN did a story on this neighborhood as representing a jumping of voters from Democrat to Republican and vise versa. They referenced a zogby poll that said only in the 2004 election the higher the level of education the more likely that person was to vote for Kerry as opposed to Bush. They also stated that less traveled and less well read americans found Bush more appealing.The story was carried in the Columbus Dispatch and on CNN. I had a lot of time on my hands because I was there for a week helping a close friend of my parents who was dying of metastatic prostate cancer. I was reading to him a lot and we discussed this story and why this was happening. So I cannot prove anything to you but the story was carried in several newspapers even my own local paper. I realize that many intelligent people supported Bush for a variety of reasons however I also believe if one critically had followed the details of the invasion of Iraq and the 9/11 commission report in addition to appointments to high offices by Bush that adversely effected the health and welfare of the citizens of the United States
anyone could see if was a grave error to vote him in office. I do realize many people get consumed with other issues in their life and only take a quick glimpse at a cable news show then make a quick decision.

So to restate myself I think in the election of 2004 the better educated whether it is self educated or formal education were more likely to lean towards Kerry. I also know that many highly intelligent people including some on this forum are ardent supporters of Bush and I do listen and learn from you.I think on this forum the range of intelligence and creativity is represented by all sides so I am sorry if anyone feels persoanlly insulted by this post.

To end this post I would like to add that waiting in line with my friend to vote was one of the worst nights of my life. He insisted on voting and we waited in line for 3 hours. He finally was able to vote but most in the democratic district of Ohio State University did not even get to vote before closing ,the lines were so long. He was in excrusiating pain.He was one of the kindest, most generous of heart and amazing person I have known in my life and truly a hero. He was intelligent , humble and very politically aware because of events of his childhood in Europe. He died finally in June 2005 and believed in Ohio the votes were illegally counted and democratic areas had not even been allowed to fully vote. That is another thread. You can google his name to see his official work in textbooks but if you knew what he had done for youth and the community he lived in that was far more admirable for that. His name was Roman Skarda.

cat's meow · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 05:10 AM

Enjoyed your post, thanks.

I have lived in four areas of the country and it has been interesting to see them all and the contrast; what we as Americans superimpose on the political landscape. I live in an area that is considered RED but...hold that thought a minute...I happen to live and a county that is very BLUE and all along the MS river on both the AR and TN side it is like this but not down into MS. It is complex and I have learned a lot by looking around at things. Yes, there are very religious people who are conservative in their beliefs here but you might be surprised how many 'liberals' you might actually find attending Baptist churches here in the South. We do have a very good Democrat as gov. here in TN and many people on both sides really like the guy (we voted out a very bad Rep gov who spent WAY TOO much money on bad projects), this is suppoed to be a FIRMLY red state...hmmm. The run for Bill Frists US Senate slot he is vacating is very interesting to watch also. Sometimes I think if the media would leave us all alone we could get more done.

Areyouforreal · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 10:28 AM

Thank you for you post Sam. I try and educate myself on variety of subjects because right at this point I do not have the funds to travel. I voted for Bush in 2004 and let me tell you why I believe that when a country is in a war it is not wise to change leadership. I also noticed that Kerry jept changing what he was saying which made him look wishy washy. The last straw was a religious one and that was when Kerry stated that his religion and faith are seperate from his work. If you are true in your faith and not a phony then it show in everythin you do. Do not get me wrong I am not a blind follower of Bush and do not like all of his choices(the RealID act for one).

Sam · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 01:23 PM

Good point made "Are You" and I did hear many say that they did not think a president should change during wartimes. I will not go any further on that subject because you know how I feel about this war.

I do find fascinating different regions of the country and their political awareness. I grew up in Ohio and it seemed a lot of people were politically aware some just local issues but most seemed savvy despite their leanings. I now live in a "blue" state but the city is 70-80% hardcore republican. As you stated they cover a wide range of occupations and political awareness. In general though most citizens of this community are not interested in politics and current events.I was in Seattle last weekend and that city is politically charged, enviormentally aware and very dynamic.I was there for a conference and had a quick lunch with my cousin who is an engineer for Boeing and a very bright guy(and a republican Bush guy) and we were able to discuss issues in a friendly banter.He was in the airforce for a long time and his political choices are made based on his military background.

I also think a persons political decisions can be affected by experiences they have had in life and their personal area of expertise. In healthcare I believe in preventative healthcare as much as aggressive treatment of disease. Many policies of this administration regarding corporate issues and appointments to positions made decsions that are devastating to our water, air and soil. I am not a "far out hippee nut" but think we need to balance capitialism with companies being responsible for what they add to our earth. Sometimes the effects of those bad decisions will not surface for 10-15 years and are devastating to people and they do not understand the connection.

I also know that there is always an individual here and there that take advantage of social programs but I really believe in society we have to invest in poverty stricken children,healthcare and people who have devastating illnesses.

I am not anti war but I think only as a last resort because it can bring about more death and destruction and create more enemies unless very carefully thought through. I believe without a doubt that the Bush administration lied to invade iraq and we have made it worse for the Iraqi people and created more terrorism and jihadist with this invasion. I did not like the hate rhetoric to other countries who did not want to jump into this with us. With utmost consideration and critical thinking I have read every piece of information on this including watching the 9/11 commision on cspan. I think Okhams post summarizing "Bush lied" was the most concise exact researched piece on this site.

Anyway my knee jerk response to diz was uncalled for but I do get tired of AM radio implying that those leaning left are somehow not working or paying taxes.I know I send the govenment 50% of my income and contribute in my field of work and community.I am not out of the ordinary or unusual and think AM hate radio tries to spread propaganda that anyone that is not a far right person is somehow a loafer or criminal or "Godless" as Ann would say.

Anyway keep posting I like hearing all these views and discussing issues with people from all over the country with different views. I even on a few occasions have changed my mind on an issue after reading posts and reviewing research. Peace!

Areyouforreal · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 01:42 PM

Yes the AM talk crowd as well as Air America generally streeotypes people.
For the record I believe that Bush Senior should have finished the job while he was over there. (Iraq) Then we would not be in this mess

mike_florez · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

I made a statement on the "spam" thread about level of intelligence and political leanings."Are you" called me on it and after reading my knee jerk response to Diz he was right to do so. I will try to explain what I was trying to communicate. While visiting Columbus, Ohio just weeks before the election of 2004 a nieghborhood in Columbus called Upper Arlington which had always been a hardcore republican supportive neighborhood had signs made that said"Upper Arlington" for Kerry. CNN did a story on this neighborhood as representing a jumping of voters from Democrat to Republican and vise versa. They referenced a zogby poll that said only in the 2004 election the higher the level of education the more likely that person was to vote for Kerry as opposed to Bush. They also stated that less traveled and less well read americans found Bush more appealing.The story was carried in the Columbus Dispatch and on CNN. I had a lot of time on my hands because I was there for a week helping a close friend of my parents who was dying of metastatic prostate cancer. I was reading to him a lot and we discussed this story and why this was happening. So I cannot prove anything to you but the story was carried in several newspapers even my own local paper. I realize that many intelligent people supported Bush for a variety of reasons however I also believe if one critically had followed the details of the invasion of Iraq and the 9/11 commission report in addition to appointments to high offices by Bush that adversely effected the health and welfare of the citizens of the United States
anyone could see if was a grave error to vote him in office. I do realize many people get consumed with other issues in their life and only take a quick glimpse at a cable news show then make a quick decision.

So to restate myself I think in the election of 2004 the better educated whether it is self educated or formal education were more likely to lean towards Kerry. I also know that many highly intelligent people including some on this forum are ardent supporters of Bush and I do listen and learn from you.I think on this forum the range of intelligence and creativity is represented by all sides so I am sorry if anyone feels persoanlly insulted by this post.

To end this post I would like to add that waiting in line with my friend to vote was one of the worst nights of my life. He insisted on voting and we waited in line for 3 hours. He finally was able to vote but most in the democratic district of Ohio State University did not even get to vote before closing ,the lines were so long. He was in excrusiating pain.He was one of the kindest, most generous of heart and amazing person I have known in my life and truly a hero. He was intelligent , humble and very politically aware because of events of his childhood in Europe. He died finally in June 2005 and believed in Ohio the votes were illegally counted and democratic areas had not even been allowed to fully vote. That is another thread. You can google his name to see his official work in textbooks but if you knew what he had done for youth and the community he lived in that was far more admirable for that. His name was Roman Skarda.

AS A MATTER OF FACT IT WAS THE MORAL MAJORITY THAT VOTED HIM MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THAT,MY FRIEND

we made a statement,and it is this there are more of us in the US than anyone else,and we have the power and the abiity to change things in this nation.and we are no longer a minority now,but a majority and we are growing daily even as im typing this out,were growing in number.

and were as bold as lion

Sam · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 02:41 PM

"Are you" yes I voted for George H. Have you read his book? I think he was exactly correct if you read his chapters on that conflict. I must confess during that election I was the least political savvy time of my life. I had a baby and was trying to keep my liscence current by working in an ER but I do respect George H. I will say I think Clinton was a good president in many ways. I did vote for him in the reelection.

From my posts I am probably labeled a diehard liberal but truly I do not know how to label myself. I look at all the key issues than vote according
to a wide range of issues after reading the candidates history and then his statements on the issues. I make my decision on the person who I think can do the best for the entire country and world because I want to believe that a good life is possible for all people if that is what they choose to work for.

In the next election I will probably be focusing on foreign policy although in the past I have been astute at considering candidates stand on the enviornment in terms of restricting how much poisen and waste and chemicals they will allow corporations to dump in our water. That again is another thread and does not seem to be of interest on this forum.

Statewide I think voters should look carefully at their state leadership on healthcare because that is where changes can be made that benefit the health and welfare of the consumer. Mass. had passed a new healthcare resolution that will begin 2007. It is bold, dynamic and all citizens will have to have coverage yet reduce costs. I think it will work but whoever knows until it is in effect.The nation should watch this carefully because if it is successful Mass. will be the guiani pig and then other states could pass similar resoltions that would change the face of healthcare so that 30% of citizens are not footing the bill for everyone yet make healthcare accessible to all.

Areyouforreal · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 02:45 PM

No I have not yet read his book. It is on my todo list.
As for labels they are stupid. No one should just vote on party line the should take a good look at the candidates and make an intelligent decision.
BTW I would label you as a smart moderate

mike_florez · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

"Are you" yes I voted for George H. Have you read his book? I think he was exactly correct if you read his chapters on that conflict. I must confess during that election I was the least political savvy time of my life. I had a baby and was trying to keep my liscence current by working in an ER but I do respect George H. I will say I think Clinton was a good president in many ways. I did vote for him in the reelection.

From my posts I am probably labeled a diehard liberal but truly I do not know how to label myself. I look at all the key issues than vote according
to a wide range of issues after reading the candidates history and then his statements on the issues. I make my decision on the person who I think can do the best for the entire country and world because I want to believe that a good life is possible for all people if that is what they choose to work for.

In the next election I will probably be focusing on foreign policy although in the past I have been astute at considering candidates stand on the enviornment in terms of restricting how much poisen and waste and chemicals they will allow corporations to dump in our water. That again is another thread and does not seem to be of interest on this forum.

Statewide I think voters should look carefully at their state leadership on healthcare because that is where changes can be made that benefit the health and welfare of the consumer. Mass. had passed a new healthcare resolution that will begin 2007. It is bold, dynamic and all citizens will have to have coverage yet reduce costs. I think it will work but whoever knows until it is in effect.The nation should watch this carefully because if it is successful Mass. will be the guiani pig and then other states could pass similar resoltions that would change the face of healthcare so that 30% of citizens are not footing the bill for everyone yet make healthcare accessible to all.

er clinton,um well he was emarrasing to me.

cat's meow · #10 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Areyouforreal

No I have not yet read his book. It is on my todo list.
As for labels they are stupid. No one should just vote on party line the should take a good look at the candidates and make an intelligent decision.
BTW I would label you as a smart moderate

I may not agree with you on a # of things but you have a very good outlook on people and everyone should be listened to as you know. My mom is a die hard Democrat (not a liberal really, she is from the Depression/WWII era of Roosevelt Dems) and to this day insults my dad about voting for Nixon in '72. With the information at the time I can see his point though, McGovern was a very 'iffy' choice. It is unfortuante how things worked out and we did not know a lot of the Watergate stuff (et al) at the time. He lets her rant a bit and he loves her...they have been together for almost 60 years now and there is no need in his eyes to let a political argument destroy that...the guy is extremely well read and really know his s*** from both sides, he was a political science major in college many years ago. I tend to refer to him if I feel my facts are not what they should be on a political matter.