I'm tired of folks writing about and telling me I am un-American because of who I support for President. I participate in the political process, I read, I study, I'm involved, I care enough to investigate the issues, but because I don't agree I'm un-American. What happened to civility? Disagree, fine, but un-American? Enough already.
I try hard to look beyond the ads and the soundbites. Campaigns have been reduced to each side manipulating statistics, words, phrases, associations to their own advantage. I don't agree completely with either political party, and I'm a problem solver at heart. I don't mind politicians changing their minds. For goodness sake, isn't that why we have a brain, to think, to weigh issues, to create solutions, to listen to others?
Is name calling really productive? I refuse to be put in your box, thank you very much. I may disagree, maybe even passionately, but I respect your right as an American to have your opinions and your ideas. Assume what you will, just know that I vote.
33 comments:
GO GIRL!! I am in total agreement with you. And I refuse to base my vote on personal issues. we have too many problems in this country that need to be addressed right now, today! I want a president that can step up to the plate, listen to the facts and do what needs to be done.
You go girl...And having said that, I'm not sure who you're voting for.... We have a saying here down under... stick it up em... stand up for what you believe in and stay outta that box Jacquie...Do what you gotta do, be who you are... Or is that just me?? heh heh
Lx
GO JACQUIE GO! Stay true to yourself!!!
Kris
Amen! I, just like you, investigate the answers to the questions I have in my mind. I believe that who ever you vote for in the end, as long as you have done your research and feel that that is the best person for the job, then you have done your job. You are by no means un-American if you disagree with others. That is the beauty of being American. We are able to FREELY say and think what we like. And voting for who you want to vote for is part of that FREE process. No one should be chastising you otherwise. Dig your feet in and hold firmly to your beliefs. You are American and don't let any one tell you differently. Vote your conscience!
Woooooooo... I feel like I just stepped into one heated debate. Good for you for 'speaking your mind'!! I so agree with you on the importance of doing your homework before you vote. Especially this election... so much more than what the media is showing us. Although... I still watch Saturday Night Live and have a good laugh. And then return to digging around for the answers I need to hear
Love your strawberry table runner!
It's yummy!!
Just be proud that you are one of the few people that is researching the issues and making informed decisions, regardless of who you vote for. I know plenty of people who vote along party lines just to vote along party lines (both sides, too) and that is what is repulsive, not making informed decisions.
I don't understand the mentality of slapping the Un American label on someone who genuinely investigates the issues, problems and possible solutions that exist. Actually, the whole thing escapes me...and a lot of evil things have been done in this country in the name of being a Patriot or a "true" American. There seems to be a multitude of people "out there" who are so afraid of any idea or way of looking at things that are the least bit different from theirs. Vote as I do, believe as I do, ascribe to the same values...or you are the enemy. Now that way of living scares me.
Keep on keeping on...you have my respect for examining your values, seriously participating and making informed choices.
I couldn't agree more! Especially in this day and age when as a country we're going through a severe issue... There are REAL issues to talk about and sort through. I too do all the reading and vote vote vote. Keep it up and don't let ignorance get you down.
People are being nasty in your cute little neighborhood!? Bummer, I say if they don't like it they don't need to stick around! So glad that you can stand up for yourself :) I came across this site . . .
http://factcheck.org/
non-biased people verifying what has been said
I completely agree with you! You should vote with who best fits the job according to your conscience and who your moral views. Good for you for standing up for what you believe in!
From dictionary.com, the definition of democracy: government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
By being an informed voter, then you're just showing that much MORE love of country by saying, I'm going to support our system of government AND I'm going to do it in the way that I believe is most helpful to the country, with facts to back up my choices.
Maybe it's the lawyer in me, but I think knowledge + personal convictions=a winning combination.
I understand too. I got sent this link to a quiz ABCNews did to help to see which candidate you agree with the most...
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139
I was agreed with my choice on all but two of the statements!
Ditto to the first part of what Amy @parkcity girl said, if they don't like your neighborhood, go build thier own!!
I actually never go back to a quilting/crafting blog that spews social commentary. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but as my funny father would say "I am not entitled to YOUR opinion." :o)
So I only visit places I like.
Well said. I keep thinking - instead of telling us what you will do, tell us HOW you will do it!
I fully support your sentiments! I believe in informed decisions - and I accept other people's right to make their own informed decisions, even when I don't agree with them. That is what democracy is all about. And it is not just ludicrous to accuse someone of being un-American because you hold differing opinions - it is simplistic. The Yarn Harlot wrote about this earlier this week - a very inspiring read - and I completely agree with her belief that for democracy to REALLY work, we need to be thinking, and reading, and discussing, and debating, and researching - everywhere! In parks, and cafes, at knitting groups, in carparks, at kitchen tables, in libraries - keep the debate flowing, the minds open and the tolerance on high and wow! what amazing things we could achieve. That's what the community needs - people who aren't afraid to talk about the actions and words of our politicians because our lives are affected - our quilting lives, our children's lives, our families' jobs, the food on our tables and whether we have water in our pipes - everytime they move. If we only hum about it quietly to ourselves - how are they going to be accountable? How are they going to know what their communities think and need? I hear your Jacquie!
I hear you! I will be so glad when the election is over and we can have a break from all of this campaigning for a while
Preach it, Sister! Amen!
I'm so sorry to hear people are personally attacking you for your political views. How awful! One of the most distressing signs of the times is that being "American" and "patriotic" are terms that people want to co-opt for themselves as a means of excluding those who disagree. We need to realize that we all love our country and need to work together to find solutions to our problems.
Good for you! And you know....I'm very happy that you do vote!
Sorry to hear you’ve been attacked for having a clear opinion and a vote.
I would love to vote on November 4th, because American politics are of great influence to us all. We are in a financial and trust crisis thanks to it.
I stumbled upon a blog the other day where a republican said she had enough of all the lefty lies and slander...
I feel a bit disappointed to say at the least. I always thought blogland was understanding and forgiving. Everybody is entitled to have an opinion and a vote.
So, please do what your heart tells you to!
*thumbs up* Good for you!
I totally agree! Do your research... pick your candidate and ignore the naysayers.
Anyone can go with the flow... vote along party lines without doing any questioning...
As for me... Im going to vote my gut... regardless of what party they have me down for at the polling grounds, it all depends on who i think will be the best for our country and the trying times we are living in.
That is called democracy, so please go on doing what you do!
It doesn't matter to me who you support. It's a free country after all and that's the whole point! It's your blog also and you can 'rant' about whatever you wish - no warning required. If others don't like it - they don't have to read it. I just hope whoever wins the election can get us out of this mess we're in.
Love your quilts.
Think you're right in what you say, though I'm not fully clued up with American politics.
You seem very productive with your quilt making!
Lynne
Ok, I don't always read every line of every post. I don't even know WHO you are supporting in this election so I'm amazed that you are getting flack! I am constantly amazed at how normally intelligent, literate people become blathering idiots when it comes to politics. I tend to keep my opinions to myself because otherwise I'm constantly being misinterpreted. good for you for standing up for your man (whoever it may be!). All I ask is....keep the quilting coming....you are such an inspiration.
Amen!
Rest assured, even though you may feel like you are alone, you are not. Being informed and thinking for yourself is being patriotic. Standing up and following your consciousness is patriotic. Voting is patriotic. Spreading fear and falsehoods is unpatriotic. America is on a dangerously slippery slope. Bravo to you for standing tall, thinking for yourself, and voting your conscious! You are a true-blue American for doing so!
...((( me..standing....clapping )))...
AMEN SISTER!!
ppssst....(((me whispering...leaning over with my hand to my ear)) who ya voting for...i won't tell???
I've always thought it ironic that having an opinion can be considered un-American. I think that the name-caller is closer to acting in a way that goes against what America's about - having your opinion, voting how you want to . . .by saying that someone is unAmerican by engaging in these things, well, wow . . . pot-kettle.
It seems to be popular to label people unAmerican if they don't agree with a particular ideology these days. That is backwards, if you ask me?
Isn't the core of being American simply freedom? Freedom to think our own thoughts and even speak them out loud? Who cares if someone doesn't like it!!!!
See you at the polls! And I am glad you will be there even if you are voting for someone else than I am! :)
You and I have sure had some things to say about politics and the state of our nation, haven't we? It makes me feel good to "get things off my chest." I'm going to vote too even if my heart is broken that I'm not excited for either candidate, but I know people died for my right to walk into that voting booth, and soldiers are still dying for me to continue to have that right, so by gosh I'm going to exercise my right to vote. How's that for a run-on sentence? LOL! Great post J!
Fear. Perhaps it's fear makes people lash out at those who do not hold the same ideals as they do. We live in a time when a lot of people are fearful of what will come, still afraid of issues that didn't exist. We have enough real issues to deal with, we don't need to buy into those made up by a candidate who pushes fear in our face to "scare" up votes for themselves. I refuse to vote based on fear. Our neighbors should not challenge and show disrespect for our right to think as an individual, learning about candidates and showing support for them is our right. I'll vote for change, I am not afraid. I hope we can put together a government that will work for us, we can if we put aside personal issues. Let's work toward serving the greater good...without name calling or finger pointing.
Hi Jacquie - I realized today that Google Reader had somehow deleted your blog from my list! Anyway, I've been catching up on your post and just read this. I think I already said it, but if we actually knew each other I'm pretty sure we'd be friends! If it makes you feel any better my aunt sent me an e-mail this week that said that I was being fooled and deceived by my candidate...and if he wins, America's destruction will come sooner. Wow. I just don't get the fear that people are wrapped in.
p.s. Have you seen this? http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=286
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