This Election Could Make or Break America

Both candidates are claiming that they are agents of change in Washington. They have both said that Washington is broken. They both have said that they are going to fix it. America’s morale and confidence in Washington is obviously terrible, and that shows with both candidates trying to prove they are agents of change against Washington corruption. With that said, America is growingly apathetic toward politics and could careless if they should vote or not. Thus, the reason that voting programs have tried and failed.

It doesn’t matter if McCain wins or if Obama wins, if something doesn’t happen to the corruption in Washington by either candidate the America we know in the history books will be gone. A large majority of people will lose faith in politicians, will lose faith in the system, and lose faith in Democracy in general. Thus, if Obama and McCain don’t deliver on what they say they are going to do, then the future of politics will be drastically changed and America could be worse off. Sure, there will always be people that believe in the establishment and continue to vote, but when generation after generation lives through continous and unchange corruption, how can you blame them for not thinking that anything can be done?

Apathy grows with the depressing thoughts of no control and no choice.

Posted by Alcamadus

Common Sense, Part I

Thomas Paine

Before the Revolutionary War, a man named Thomas Paine wrote a radical book entitled Common Sense that sparked the drive and will of the colonies to band together and consider a revolution. When I first read this I was amazed about the level of truth, and yes, the “common sense” that is derived from it. I have decided to blog about different sections of this work each week. I feel this political work should never be forgotten in the minds of America. This book is essentially its heart.

“Here then is the origin and rise of government; namely, a mode rendered necessary by the inability of moral virtue to govern the world; here too is the design and end of government, viz. Freedom and security. And however our eyes may be dazzled with show, or our ears deceived by sound; however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and reason will say, ’tis right.” ~Thomas Paine

This first line essentially sums up Thomas Paine’s philosophy on government. He says earlier that government is a nescessary evil, but I think that this latest line is a good way to shape the idea. Man is incapable to live harmoniously because of his lack of moral virtue. Government is a creation to ensure the vice’s of men be supressed, controlled, and contained. He makes the case earlier, that there is no other reason to have government. That if society and man were able to live together in peace, then government would be of little value. This concept was popular during this time (no wonder his book was a national best seller and sparked action among the colonies), but today we seem to have lost this concept. Or maybe instead of losing the concept, we have twisted it to a more positive point of view. We don’t want to think that government is a result of our evil, but rather a system to help those who can’t help themselves, etc.

The second line is rather interesting. It would seem he is indicating that the design and end of government is the wanting of Freedom and Security, but their inability to co-exist which ultimately leads to tyranny (such as what happened to England). This is reminscent to the later works by men such as George Orwell. The more we push “security” the further our freedom’s will be infringed. It is clear that Thomas Paine (like many Lockean philosophes of the time) was for a hardcore Laissez Faire society.

I believe it is this last part that makes my heart rejoice in gladness and praise. In fact, I will quote it again, “And however our eyes may be dazzled with show, or our ears deceived by sound; however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, the simple voice of nature and reason will say, ’tis right.”  He lists several things here that are extremely relevent to today. Too often are all of those things prevalent in the hearts and minds of voters, of the American people, of the masses and too often do politcians use techniques to lure them to their fold. I think it is important to heed Paine’s warning here. It is very easy to be decieved and want to hear what we want to hear, while ignoring basic reason and common sense. It is so easy to buy into great sounding words, awesome promises, and eloquence that resounds to the mountain tops, but Paine reminds us that the simple voice of nature is whispering to us to come back to reason, to come back why government is on earth in the first place. I personally enjoy the last argument he uses. It is such a deontological, Kantian approach. That reason and nature will resound in voice saying, “tis right”. This concept is most definitely lost in our society. Post-modernism has rejected such philosophical theories of absolute or universal agreement on certain things, but I think deep down Paine, like Kant, like Locke are on to something. They see past all the lies that we tell ourselves, all the lies that the wolves feed us, and they respond in kind – “Tis Right”.

Tis right that government is a nescessary evil. Tis right that man needs such a mode to control it’s lack of moral virtue.

Posted by Alcamadus

Palin and Experience

Obviously, the first target the Democratic liberals choose when going after Sarah Palin is her experience. And I’ll admit that she is limited in experience. BUT SO IS OBAMA!

I don’t know how many times I have to make that clear to people who use the experience argument against Palin. They need to look at their own candidate. Are you just ignoring the fact that he is practically experienceless because he gives a good speech and makes you feel fuzy inside? Or, is it because you are just so rotten to the core bias that you can’t see past the wool over your eyes?

Let’s do the math.

Obama = No Experience and running for President.
Palin = No Experience and running for Vice President.

Personally, wouldn’t you consider Obama’s equation the worse of the two? But, no, I have read tons of excuses about why Obama’s lack of experience doesn’t actually matter. Does this not apply to Palin? Because if it does, then you shouldn’t chastise her for experience, and if it doesn’t then you are a two-faced hypocrite.

Being that both Obama and Palin have little experience, lets analyze their records, shall we? What has Obama really done in the Senate? He’s voted for things so die-hard liberal that even Pelosi wouldn’t vote for them. He is considered the most liberal senator in Congress, and in his 4 years he really didn’t accomplish that much. Palin on the other hand cut her own salary for the Alaskan budget, she went after senators and representatives in her own party because they were corrupt, she reformed and radically cut spending in Alaska, and has done much more gutsy stuff than Obama would ever dream of doing. She’s tough, smart, and has proven to be an all around good leader. It would seem that she would be a better candidate for change in the corruption of Washington than Obama.

I have a great idea. Let’s stop this nonsense about Palin being so little experienced, especially since everyone is expecting McCain to die any second. The guy has a full bill of health and is more vibrant than ever. He isn’t going to die, and you know what? Even if he did, I would vote for Palin against Obama anyday of the week. Obama has talk. Palin has the walk.

See I can make fun sayings like the Democrats too

Posted by Alcamadus

Obama Popularity A Mixed Bag

A phenomneon like Obama-mania hasn’t happened since JKF, and now with the capability of the internet and technology, it spreads even faster. However, for all the people that are extremely ecstatic about Barack Obama, there are just as many people who aren’t. The polls since even before Obama got the nomination have shown that many voters are wary of Obama. In fact, there are a lot of people out there that can’t stand the guy, nor would trust him to be the President.

With this being a clear and present danger to the Obama campaign, the Democrats and Obama are scrambling to turn that around. I think they are all shocked at how close the polls are, especially with so many factors that should be used in their favor. Everyone is making excuses, especially as if McCain is just getting lucky. But, I have a good theory to why things are not a sure thing for the Democrats and Obama.

Listen very carefully: THE NATION IS DIVIDED.

Never since the Civil War has the nation been so divided on polarizing issues. Abortion, Homosexual Marriage, Universal Healthcare, and Foreign Policy are just a few of the hardcore issues that both Democrats and Republicans are not willing to be swayed on. This makes it difficult for anyone to come to a bipartisan common ground, which means that one side is going to get their way eventually. That power struggle is what we are seeing right now in the polls. It is what we saw with how close the elections were with Bush and Gore and Bush and Kerry. Somehow, I think the Democrats are underestimating the resolve that hardcore Republicans have toward these issues. They aren’t just going to say “mercy” and let go. This means that this election is going to be just as close as it was in 2000 and 2004.

With that said, do not be surprised if either of the candidates barely squeak by in this election. Until one side gains an overwhelming majority (which won’t happen), this nation will be divided for a long time and political struggle like this will be a constant.

Posted by Alcamadus

Biden Must Hate Himself

Joe Biden said that Barack Obama is too inexperienced to be the President. He also said that he doesn’t want to be Vice President. He doesn’t want to be asked.

Well, he was asked. Now he’s Obama’s Vice President. If I was Biden and actually meant what I said I would really hate myself right now. I mean, seriously, basically being forced into a position that he probably doesn’t want to be in….ouch. Imagine, four years of working with someone you know shouldn’t be doing what he is doing. You know you could do it better. You have the experience. The know-how. The means to get things done. Aw. But you can’t, so sad.

Biden, you just walked into hell. Hope you enjoy.

Posted by Alcamadus

24 De Jevu

The Obama/Biden 2008 campaign has been announced and I couldn’t help but have a really weird de jevu of season 6 of 24. Thats right…

Don’t they oddly look similar? This could mean three things:

1. Barack Obama watches ALOT of 24.

2. The producers of 24 have rigged all of this up as a subliminal publicity stunt to get more people to watch their show (just like the Montauk Monster).

3. Somehow, through the space/time continuum, the characters from 24 actually exist and have reincarnated into people of our dimension.

Whatever it may be, I think it’s pretty undeniable that Obama/Biden are following in the footsteps of a revolutionary television show. Which means that 24 is relevant in the realm of both politics and society. 24 is a mirror of our society, a lens into what our world actually is, and this is the next step into realizing all of that. The only logical thing to do now would be to watch 24, since it obviously helps your brain. Like, Kix. Obama tested, Biden approved.

(Jack Bauer for President 2011)

Posted by Alcamadus

The “Unbiased” W. Film

I don’t know about you guys, but I am so freaking excited for the new George W. Bush biopic.  I mean, seriously, of course Oliver Stone will do a good job giving an unbiased look at President Bush.  This may surprise you, but I have been given an early reading of the script. Here’s a summary of my favorite scene.  You ready?  I’m really excited for it.

Here’s the scene: Bush is eating a baby, and torturing teenage pregnant girls while burning the American flag with weed, which in so doing fills the room with marijuana smoke. Then, he and Cheney get together and decide to figure out how they can murder the most people in the most ways possible, so they call up their intelligence folks and tell them to doctor up a fake report, which Cheney rewrites after they tell the “truth” and then they cackle and smoke a cigar with Bin Laden.

Wait…. I dunno if that really happened though.  Oh gee willikers… now I’m concerned.  Oh well, it’s Hollywood; so, how can we not trust it?

Oh no!! I just remembered, Oliver Stone made Alexander….

Posted by kingdaved

Endangered Species Act

http://http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/11/bush.endangered.species.ap/index.html

Wow is all I can say.  When I first read this it was the number one story on CNN.com.  Probably because nothing else big is going on in the world.  Luckily WWIII isn’t starting in Georgia (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402043,00.html), and a certain former democratic presidential candidate didn’t just get caught for cheating on his cancer ridden wife (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,401462,00.html).  Thankfully a soldier didn’t just die in Afghanistan (http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/), and I’m very glad that a little boy was not just murdered by his step dad while his mother watched because he didn’t say amen (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402004,00.html). And too bad gas prices aren’t falling like crazy all across the country (http://www.foxbusiness.com/furl/story/markets/industries/energy/gas-prices-fall-nationwide/).  If only any of those things were happening so the beloved CNN folks would have something to report on other than the President deciding to give federal animal protection decisions to individual federal agencies rather than congress.  Forget about how much easier this will make it for us to get things accomplished, such as bridges that stand up, oil to keep gas prices dropping, etc.

Seriously, sometimes I just do not understand human beings.  We freak out because of a possible change to something that might or might not harm some animals, but Georgian’s are dying by the thousands, and our soldiers are dying, and our citizens are being murdered at the Olympics, and all we can talk about is a stupid animal Act.  It’s disgusting.

I love the headline of that article about the animals too. “BUSH COULD WEAKEN”…. my gosh, let’s all cry because a polar bear has to move a litte further north to find ice.  Last time I checked there is plenty of it left.  Also, I love how they use the example of the polar bear.  Losing it’s ice has absolutely nothing to do with the Endangered Species Act or anything it has ever done, they blame it on “Global Warming,” which doesn’t exist and is now called Global Climate Change by most scientists.  But hey… Al Gore thinks he invented the internet, so he obviously is someone we should believe has scientific knowledge none of us can understand, right?

Finally, I have to say… if a freaking cat goes extinct to keep our countries economy afloat (which by the way is still the best in the world regardless of how many people freak out about it) I think I’m ok with that.  Now, I believe these federal agencies should, and would still be careful to keep animals as safe as possible, but seriously, I’m more worried about humans dying than an animal.

Just remember everyone, the dodo bird died off and we all survived.

God bless,

kingdaved