Thoughts of an Undecided Voter
Kevin Heuermann, an old friend of mine and former co-worker and I had a chance to write the other day. He's off work for a few days recuperating from an injury, so I reminded him I would like to post an article by him. Kevin agreed to do so. Here is his article about his experiences being a genuinely undecided voter. Please note Kevin says his first link takes a couple of tries to get through because its so busy. Kevin lives in Missouri.
Here is Kevin's posting.
Larry,
I've spent the last 24 hours trying to figure out what my angle might be for your blog. I didn't know what direction you expected me to take, so I just kind of hit on how I'm being solicited from both sides and how I think it fits best in a Historic analogy.
This week, Larry has given me the privilege of providing commentary on the election. I am particularly surprised and honored given we are only days away from the election. Why did he do that? It certainly isn't because I'm an expert or insider. I think it's because I'm a rare bird at this point: A truly undecided (but leaning) voter in a Battleground state.
So, I am getting hit Left and Right (pun intended) by my friends and family with propaganda---not to mention at least one call each day from each campaign. Why I should vote for McCain/Palin, why I should vote Obama/Biden---and I have shared a little of it with Larry.
Much of it is quite humorous. My favorite to date is the link I got to a page that offered a 60 page document---60 pages! "AN EXAMINATION OF OBAMA’S USE OF HIDDEN HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES IN HIS SPEECHES"
It is offered at this link if you don't believe me---and you probably don't---
http://www.usawakeup.org/USSA.htm
What that link will take you to is a "film" about the "United Socialist States of America" but at the bottom of the page there is a "Home Page" link that will take you to the more crazy stuff. I clicked on the hypnosis piece because it seemed so ridiculous. Admittedly, I haven't taken the time to read the 60 pages of text which I'm sure is quite compelling and possibly accurate. And, I haven't examined any of the other I'm sure truly entertaining and informative information on the site.
Then, there is the email I received from a great friend of mine showing what would happen if I didn't vote for Obama---pretty scary. It originated from www.moveon.org where you can send the video to your friends. As of this writing, it had reached 7.6 million people and was rolling right along (there's one of those counters on the web site).
So as you can see, I am being courted from both sides of the aisle. Where do I land? I don't know. What I plan to do is make a list of the strengths and weaknesses I see in each ticket because I'm not short-sided enough to think that there isn't as good of chance as ever that the VP could end up President (McCain could could croak and Obama could get whacked by neo-Nazi wackos).
Finally, I told Larry although I'm too young to remember, this election probably mirrors the Nixon-Kennedy election of 1960 the most. On one side the crusty old Republican conservative with a little but not much charisma. On the other side the young, charismatic, make-up on TV, brash, handsome candidate with very little Washington experience and a Religious past that made some nervous.
I've noticed in straw polls on AOL McCain wins in a landslide. How can that be when everyone else has Obama ahead? Could it be the demographic of AOL subscribers? I would think so. Older...more educated...more wealthy...etc.
What do you think the results are on myspace? 69% Obama as of 10/29/08. I guess the kids don't care as much that Obama smoked weed, still smokes cigarettes and did some coke as the older folks. I at least applaud him for being forthright unlike the "I didn't inhale" nonsense we got from someone else.
So, similar to Nixon v Kennedy---Nixon carried the Eisenhower conservatives that were older, more economically stable and happy with how things in the nation were and Kennedy carried the hippy, growing Civil Rights groups and the younger generation that wanted to see change in a changing, turbulent world.
So who wins? I believe History repeats itself.
We know how Kennedy-Nixon turned out. My prediction is Obama will win the electoral college 298 to 240.
I just hope he doen't bring us to the brink of Nuclear Holocaust like the other guy did...
Get out and vote, they all count. Mine will be a "gametime" decision.
KLH
Good job, Kevin
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Kevin,
You are not alone in your struggles, and concerns, during this election cycle.
To resolve the uncertainty, I had to think about my worldview and the direction in which I want our country to go. I believe in, using Larry’s words, intelligent moderation, small government, low spending coupled with low taxes.
Viewing this election from my worldview, here are some things I think are important in this election.
1. Be wary of politicians who are interested only in taxes. There are two sides of the coin in controlling our budget and deficits, revenues from taxes and controlled spending.
2. Consider whether big government can or should try to solve our social problems. Is that an effective use of our resources, or is there a better way?
3. Be skeptical of groups or organizations who attempt to predict the future using campaign promises as input. Consider the difference between campaign promises and governance reality. Garbage in, garbage out. An example of this has been the analysis of competing tax proposals.
4. Consider the politicians who call themselves Christians and then fail to defend the rights of human beings who are not yet born. The word hypocrisy comes to my mind.
5. Consider checks and balances within our government. Is it a good idea for one party to control both the executive and legislative branches?
6. Be leery of politicians who claim that our constitution should be interpreted according to social agendas.
7. If a politician talks about working across party lines, but has never actually done that, what should a voter believe? Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior.
Your list of important things may be different from mine. We each have the right and the privilege to decide which things are important to us, and then express those principles in the voting booth. My hope is that when you leave the voting booth, you are at peace with what you have done.
Just my opinion.
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Jim,
Interesting list.
Here are some suggested modifications.
4. Consider the politicians superior who recognize ours as a pluralistic society and therefore refuse to mandate personal religious beliefs through legislation. Such politicians defend the rights of the unborn by focusing on what makes the world better for those already born. Consider the voters superior who refuse to be manipulated by the tactics of guilt and fear practiced by some religions.
5. Consider checks and balances within our government. Is it a good idea for one party to control both the executive and legislative branches? Or have things become so unbalanced and perilous due to the performance of one party and time so much of the essence that giving control to another single party for a short period may be required in order to quickly restore balance? After all, if the new controlling party shows itself unable to show restraint, then control of the House can be turned in just two years. But, once again, this is why Instant Runoff Voting is required to offer a viable third choice to voters.
6. Be leery of politicians who claim that our constitution should be interpreted according to social agendas, especially when those social agendas involve religious doctrine. Our nation faces a serious threat from the teachings of radical interpretations of the Muslim faith. One of the best ways to combat this threat is to build even higher and wider the wall of separation between church and state.
8. In 2004, many voters voted for a party with a dismal record of governance because they were made afraid of what would happen if they voted for the other party. Considering how that choice worked out, ask yourself this. Am I being made to feel I should make my choice out of fear? Who is doing that to me? How did that work out in the past? Would I make a more logical choice in my self interest if I resisted the fear?
Just some thoughts.
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Larry,
I see your favorite pro football team had an interesting game Sunday.
As you may know, I voted a few weeks ago. I am trying to put behind me the parts of this election cycle that have become addictive/obsessive to me, and get on with my real life.
That said, I have not seen much written that accurately represents the Republican/conservative point of view. I emphasize accurately. In a sense, this list of important points was my puny attempt to set the record straight. What I wrote is from my worldview. I do not pretend that I speak for all Republicans/conservatives, but I do think most will agree with most of what I say. I could be wrong on that.
I have read a lot about what motivates Republicans/conservatives, what they think and how they feel. Almost all of it is written by outsiders, those who are not Republicans/conservatives. E. J. Dionne, Frank Rich and David Sirota come to mind.
Imagine that I would write about the views you just expressed. Suppose one topic was “Bradley defends abortion by saying politicians try to make the world a better place for those already born” or another “Bradley says government checks and balances should be suspended”. Those articles would most likely be distortions of your views and you probably would be offended and angry. Rightfully so.
When Dionne, Rich, Sirota or others with a similar political orientation attempt to describe what makes Republicans/conservatives tick, it is similar to me characterizing or mischaracterizing your views. To be honest, when I notice those guys talking about Republicans, it’s like they are speaking a different language. I roll my eyes and check out.
If accuracy and clear understanding is our goal (a major assumption), we should speak for ourselves; no putting words in someone else’s mouth. You should be the expert on your views, I am the expert on my views, Republicans are the experts on Republican views, and Democrats are the experts on Democrat views. When we get that mixed up, in this political climate, misunderstanding and distortions are almost inevitable. And political polarization follows misunderstanding and distortions.
All I ask is that others try to understand what I am saying. You don’t have to agree, and if you disagree, it is not necessary to try to correct me. I perceive suggested modifications or corrections as an valid expression of someone else’s worldview.
So, I stand by my original posting as a genuine expression of one Republican/conservative viewpoint.
With respect
Jim
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