Stuffleufagus

Without going into my personal politics, because it just isn’t importnant. I am happy tonight.

And it doesn’t matter who I voted for - my actual vote may surprise you,

But I am happy - we have a chance to change the way we do politics in this country - and if Obama can deliver THAT to me, I’ll be happy.  If he cannot, then I will be VERY disappointed.

Now the real work begins - and I want Obama to succeed at the real work.  We all should.

I’m not interested in the “historic” aspects of this election - I don’t care that Obama is black.  I only care that he delivers.

Quickly.

And I’ll help him as I can, where I can, and when I can.  We all should.

written by rob

I voted early with my son.  It was his first time voting (in a general election).  It was pretty cool.  I don’t recall my parents ever getting me thinking about, or involved in voting.  I assume they voted, but I don’t really know.

In any case, the ladies at the polling place announced my son as a first time voter, and gave him a round of applause.

Took us only 15 minutes from the time we left the house until we got back home.

Another parental duty fulfilled - and hopefully my son establishes a life-long habit of not just voting, but becoming an informed voter!

written by rob

Today on Twitter I suggested that I am tired of all the political hate, and that I didn’t really care for either candidate, and that I wasn’t going to vote in the Presidential Election.  Mostly though, I don’t like either political party.

Neither are “people serving” - and both are “self-serving”.

I don’t know why this was received with such fanfair - especially by my ex-fellow panelists on NewsGang Live, a show I was “dis-invited” from tonight - simply because I stated that NOT voting is an option that might be realistic for people to consider - for MONTHS I have stated that I am a libertarian (with a small “L” - NOT a member of the party).  Actually, I was asked not to come on and talk about NOT voting.  Since it is prety much a political show (and Obama Rally) now, that basically means, “don’t show up”.

But why the hate?  Because I decided NOT to support Obama?  Sorry - that is MY decision - and I have as much right to Tweet about it as I do anything else, and as much of a right as anyone else has to Tweet in favor of their candidate.

But I did NOT accuse John McCain of being a traitor on Twitter today, and I did NOT call Palin a “bitch” on Twitter today - others did.  “Friends” of mine did.  I didn’t bash them.  I didn’t ban them from a show or suggest they have no business Twittering their opinions.  I didn’t even unfollow them. I DID react to them though - they made me realize that if you vote in this election based on HATE, you fail.  If you get others to vote based on HATE, you fail.

They just helped me decide that I didn’t like how politics works - and even, to some extent, how they are working politics.

So I won’t be on NewsGang Live anymore - which is fine.  I haven’t been on much lately anyway, and the last dozen times were just about politics - I enjoyed it more when it had a broader audience/subject matter.  I DID have a lot of fun on NGL though.

I’m really disappointed in the American political system, and how powerless we Americans feel to fix it.

Neither candidate is for “change” - they both just want “their version of change”.  Real change is drastic, and would destroy our two party ssytem - so they have no reason to “change” anything.

So I checked out of the ugly political debate, and I will check out of the election.  Sorry.  I have a right to.  And I have no obigation to vote for a candidate I cannot support, and in this election, I find little to like.

And don’t tell me I “have a duty” - I have served on Active Duty for this country and I have AT LEAST earned the right to not fucking vote for people I don’t fucking like - don’t you fucking think?

So be it. Hate me for not voting.  Hate your ass off.  I won’t hate you for it

But I was also accused of “voter suppression” which firstly, I think is a felony and thus a dangerous “McCarthyism-like accusation”, and second, is just *rude* to suggest.  I am NOT going to manipulate others into not voting, prevent people to attend the poles, etc, etc.  Just going to share my opinion that voting for a bad canditate isn’t any better for not voting for one at all.

Deciding NOT to vote, and even encouraging others NOT to vote is NOT voter suppression.  And I was persnally offended at the suggestion.  Especially since a “friend” suggested it.

written by rob

But I am somewhat conservative. I am conservative in that I think Government sucks at solving really important problems, and a big Government just sucks more.

Most of my politically-oriented friends call me a “fiscal conservative, but a social liberal”.  Fine. 

Everyone wants to label me.

Everyone except me.

I consider myself more of a “rationalist”.  Instead of joining a political party I prefer to shop al la carte.

Some “Republicans”, I like.  Same for some “Democrats”.

I voted for Kinky Friedman for Governor of Texas.  The first Presidential Election I voted in, I voted for John Anderson.

The only party affiliation I have ever had was as a Democrat.  I have never registered Republican.  I have never voted a straight party ticket.

I like making up my own mind, and I think I am smart enough, and educate myself well enough, that it make most sense for me to vote this way.

It does annoy me when others label me – usually because I commit the cardinal sin of not agreeing with them.

Sorry – I do my own thinking.  If it is flawed, then at least I have myself to blame.

I’ll never be a “member of a party” – the saying itself exudes a sense of inclusion, or exclusion.  If I am not a “member of the party” you are a member of  - then we must be different, right?  We must not have anything in common – otherwise we would be in the same “holier than thou” fucking party. We must be enemies.

Sorry.  I prefer independent thinking to mob rule.

I like making up my own mind and not being told what to think.  Or not being “expected to think” in a certain way – especially because my “friends” think that way.

I am not a Republican, or a Democrat.

I am Rob La Gesse, and I am capable of independent thought.  I don’t need a “club” to support my beliefs.  I don’t need to “run with a pack”.

I am smarter than that.

written by rob

If you are coming here from Karoli’s blog, I am sorry – nothing (much) political here. 

On the rare occasion (5+ days a week at 3pm Central Time) I talk politics I do it on NewsGang Live – not here.

But Karoli knows I love and respect her, even when we differ in opinion.

And that is what makes her great, and NewsGang Live amazing.  Anyone can talk.  All opinions are allowed.

That is a powerful thing.

So if you want to know how I feel about politics, and WTF Karoli is referencing, go listen to the show – join the chat.  Call me out.

Just don’t expect me to address these things here. 

It isn’t the place for it.  Not for me, anyway.

written by rob