Tuesday is Election Day (GO VOTE!).
*****Oh, and REALLY go vote for me for best adult halloween costume (in post below) at Kailani's place. Pleeeeease? :)
PS: You have the right to disagree with me (isn't America great?), but not to be mean in my comments.
- Being a Democracy isn't easy. Take free speech. You may not like what I say, and you have the right to disagree. But I still have the right to say it. That includes questioning our leaders without being called "unpatriotic." Questioning our leaders and speaking your mind is the most patriotic thing you can do. However, these freedoms require responsibility.
- Changing the consitution to take away rights is wrong. If you want to define a word - like marriage - call Webster's on the phone. Everyone in VA is driving around with "Vote for Marriage (one man, one woman)" bumper stickers. I'd just like to vote for dating. Yes, please. Think they'll let me write that one in? :)
- The flag is a symbol of our country. It's just a SYMBOL. If you want to burn it in protest, it may piss me off, but that's your right.
- I believe in a woman's right to choose. However, I don't think is should be birth control. It wouldn't be my personal choice, but I don't think my beliefs apply to every woman in every situation (especially if a woman has been raped, and it's pretty hard to prove rape in court), and having never had to make that choice, I shouldn't take that choice away. I also don't think the abortion pill should be called that. It's emergency birth control. How is that different from regular old birth control?
- I think it should be an URGENT economic policy to develop an alternative fuel to oil and have it mainstream in the next five years. Take THAT OPEC and Mr. President-Whose-Family-Makes-Their-Money-From-Oil!
- I think the men and women who serve in the military should be celebrated and thanked daily. I also think that the war in Iraq is a mismanaged mistake of CF proportions. I can have these two beliefs at the same time. One is not exclusive of the other.
- Our foreign policy should not be to play the bully. If the French disagree with us, we don't need to go rename french fries (which aren't French anyway). This is not the way to win friends and influence people. Other countries are starting to figure out that they can stand up to us - I'm of the opinion that is BECAUSE we're such bullies.
- I think that this healthcare thing has gotten way out of hand. I just find it wrong that politicians can accept money from pharmaceutical (or any other special interest, really) lobby-ists. I mean, lobby your representative, but money influences too much.
- Want to make money to pay for new roads in Northern Virginia? Tax cigarettes. These are LUXURY items. It costs $6 a pack of cigarettes in NYC. It costs $2 in Virginia. Phillip Morris can kiss my ass. Believe me. People will still buy the disgusting things, because they've purposely made them addictive.
- ALL public places (restaurants, bars, etc) should be NON SMOKING. "Waaaah! But people won't come to our bars anymore!" Are you kidding? If DUBLIN can do it, anyplace can do it. NYC and LA have done it. If you lose anyone, you'll gain the same amount from people who don't frequent your establishment because they like to breathe without having to take a hit on their inhaler.
- If you're paying $500 for a toilet seat, you should be fired. The government should have to shop at Costco like the rest of us. How can we operate in a DEFICIT? If I do that, I bounce a check and have to pay a fee. Somebody please call a debt counselor for these people.
- English should be the national language in the US. French is the national language in France. Italian is the national language in Italy. I should not be asked IN SPANISH if I want English or Spanish at the ATM if I live in the United States. I also think that each American gradeschooler should have to take a second language, and that everyone should have to study abroad to know that there are other countries that exist and that the US isn't the center of the world.
- Politicians should never be asked to vote on a pay raise for themselves. They should undergo a yearly evaluation from their constituants and get a performance-based increase just like the rest of us. Which amounts to about 2% of nothing. ;)
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64 comments:
not quite ready for Thursday yet.
Here from Wendy's.
I don't have my TT up yet, but I had to add my name to the list so I could, for once, be the first linky on Carmen's TT!
Not only would I vote for you, Carmen, I would BEG you to put me on your ticket as your VP. (And you know that's saying a lot, because I make it my personal policy NOT to play second fiddle to ANYONE!)
GREAT LIST! You are intelligent, articulate, opinionated and ballsy. I like that!
A-freaking-men!
AWESOME list carmen!! I agree with almost everything you said!
And I've already voted!
I'd vote for you. I agree with almost everything you said.
How about a dating tax break?
Carmen, the candidate for the single people ;-)
Now THAT'S a great list! Good job!!!
I agree with most of that.
Bravo on #7!
I agree with #9 and #10 for sure.
We have had non-smoking here in my city (Capital of Canada) for years. It's never as bad as they predict. The hospitality industry is not negatively impacted at all.
When I go to other cities in Canada or the US that don't have non-smoking it's such a shock. I think many major cities in Canada now are non-smoking.
Cool list. I'll vote for ya, but only if I get to be VP. :)
I saw something in the newspaper that said legislators have gotten pay increases each year since 1996, while the minimum wage has stagnated. I should stop reading the newspaper.
I thought people would stop smoking when cigs got to a buck a pack. How silly of me.
I almost didn't put up a TT this week. Find out why.
Oh, goodness, girl! I'm standing by my don't ever talk religion or politics standard. Have a fun Thursday tomorrow!
Don't miss a vote...good TT!
I agree with you except for #12. Minneapolis and St. Paul don't allow smoking in restaurants anymore, and it is WONDERFUL!
Carmen,
I'm not participating in T13 but I always liked your posts.
Did you know that the USA is not a democracy? It really isn't. A democracy, in reality, is mob rule and every democracy has crumbled. The USA is a representative republic. We have laws that take more than popular demand to change. Murder is murder whether or not the majority of the people like it.
I can't stand smoking but I believe the owner of the property should make the decision to allow or not allow smoking. I'm a musician and my best gig is at a cigar lounge. We make the $$$ there.
Government decides for government and private property owners decide for themselves. If we're not careful the food police will make us carry card saying whether or not we can have french fries or not. You've had your allotment! We know best. You must have tofu with your soyburger!
I love political and religious discussion. Visit my blog sometime. If you disagree I'd love to hear it but agreeing is always better :) Nobody will be mean because I remove those posts.
Can't believe only one person read your post. It was great!
Good luck with getting the vote on dating.
Don
Carmen, you're so righteous. All those points are valid and sensible and I would vote for you any day of the week (if I was allowed to vote in the US). Now, can you change the Constitution so I CAN vote for you, please? :D
HERE HERE to carmen!
Say tell me, what elections are you having? Are they ones to get rid of Bush?? What will our johnny howard do?? haha!
Happy TT!
whoa! you got my vote already. ;)
Darn. I already voted. Next election, you've got my vote. :)
And #6? As a military spouse, I couldn't agree more.
Cannot agree with you more on #12, agh!! Happy Thursday ;).
I think emer contraceptive is considered wrong for some people because it prevents implantation. If you believe life begins at the moment the sperm enters the egg, then this would be wrong - I think the whole thing happens at the fallopian tube and then it travels down to the uterus for implantation.
I like the no smoking idea. Even secondhand smoke can put you at risk!
AMEN to # 7! Shout THAT from the rooftops!
Fellow Dem here ... living in a sea of conservatives...
You get my vote, I agree on a lot of this!
thanks for visiting my TT!
WOW! NOW THAT IS TAKING A STAND! I don't normally talk about politics, but that was GREAT! I agree with almost everything you said and you said it great!
Yep...you just might get my vote...what a great list!
Happy TT!
Isn't our country great? Where else in the world do you have a constitutionally protected right to be so wrong? :-) Actually I may have stumbled upon a couple of points I agree with.
And I agree 100% with your point that it ain't easy being a Democrat. Doesn't that tell you something? :-)
Great idea for a list and well done. Thanks for stopping by my T13 Book List Edition (#17)
Well, there are no upcoming elections in Canada, but if I could vote in the U.S., I'd vote for you. ;)
I'm in total agreement with #6 and #10. Most provinces in Canada now have laws mandating that all public places be smoke-free, and the bars and restaurants haven't been negatively affected. That's one of the things I really don't like about Munich - there are smokers everywhere, and it really bothers me.
As for #6, as a military spouse (albeit Canadian military, not U.S.) I believe that regardless of how one feels about the current conflicts (Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever), the men and women serving deserve our full support. Yes, they chose the military as a career, but they do not choose where they are sent - the government does that. And if we are going to send them to these dangerous places, they deserve the best equipment and support that we can afford.
Happy T13. :)
Voting is very important. Thanks for the encouragement. We don't see eye to eye on every issue but that's OK.
Thanks for stopping by my T13.
I'd vote for you. And I'm a military wife, too. I'm not liking this election season one bit. Should be interesting, though.
Democracy is a wonderful thing. Have you ever considered politics? You have an excellent platform!
I'm with Jane. Voting is important... Everyone should vote as long as they understand what they are voting for or against.
LBC
Amen, sista! I did a election theme too.
Have a great Thursday!
I say: Carmen for president!!
Thanks for your sweet comment yesterday.
Mine are scary if you're not paying attention.
Carmen for President!
Carmen for President!
You've got my vote!
Great minds Carmen. I'm thinking you'd be great as my VP on my ticket...
I'd vote for you! ;)
And I did vote for you. In the costume contest.
Happy TT!
BRAVO! I will vote for you! Which office would you like? Office of the Interior Decorator? Oval Diamond Office? Whatever you want!
as always, i intend to vote. i am working my way through my huge absentee ballot this week. i try to never take for granted the right to vote.
great list.
thanks for visiting my tt this week.
A great idea for a list and fun to read... even though I am really not into politics at all.
Wow, really well-though out list!
So glad I stopped by today.
I did something similar for my TT today too. I'd have to say "I agree!" Let me add, "WHOLEHEARTEDLY!"
I agree with your list 100%!! Especially the English as our official language. Great list, Carmen!
Carmen, I couldn't vote for you, because I would be busy voting for myself!!! I disagree with some of your points, but I am totally on board with English & the no smoking thing.
amazing lift... after reading that I want you to be our president!!!!!
I've never been very political but I found your list very interesting. I am pro-choice and I totally agree with #13.
I'm with you on the English language thing for sure.
Wow - you and I see eye to eye about every issue you listed. Great list!
I'd definately vote for you :)
Great T13.
AMEN, Carmen!!!!
I didn't know how to think a lot of things until I read your 13, then I realized that's how I feel about a lot of things.
Mine are up, but it's not a very interesting read. Stop over anyway. We got a new kittie! (She's Amy's.)
Great list Carmen! Well stated.
great list - i love that you put all your beliefs out there and stand by them.
i don't agree on quite a few, but you're right - we live in a country where we can disagree, and respect everyone's right to their opinion.
I don't know about shipping you the pumpkin muffins. I would have to ship them Fed Ex overnight...perhaps if I froze them and packed them with dry ice the would be okay...we usually freeze them here and then nuke them for a minute with butter. Fattening, but good.
I'm writing you in on elecion day.
I agree with all 13 - especially number 6!
THanks for sharing,
Frances
acutally it's also in the constitution or some flag etiquette book somewhere....LOL, that you are SUPPOSE to burn the flag and bury it -- when it's worn and frayed.
Don't ask me where I read this, 'cause I don't know.
LOL
Happy Thursday Carmen
Oh, can we vote more than once, or is she taking the count from only ONE comment each (on the costume award?)
Oh, and I'm moving to VA!!! Those are CHEAP cigarettes!! (ya, I'm a smoker) But, I'm also a drinker too, so I think that alcholic beverages should be taxed in Texas, for road work!! There are way more drinkers in the state. *g*
That is one heck of a list, wow!
I wish you were a lobbyist or a politician!
Here is mine:
http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2006/11/thirteen-favourite-words.html
Wow, that was brave of you, and guess what? I think you'd have my vote. ;)
My list is up!
You go girl....Carman is great for 2008!
Wahoo, you've got my vote!
Cheers!!! (-:
Great list. Another very informative one about the election.
Happy TT!
Did I write this or did you??? haha
I totally agree with your entire list!!
Happy TT!
You GO, girl! That was friggin' awesome! Can I repost on my blog because you said it perfectly. (I'm serious! I will of course give you attribution).
Thanks for coming by Snarkypants! Come by next week and welcome my PiK (partner in Krime who is guestblogging for the week)
Happy Thursday!
Carmen I would vote for you in a second!! In fact I wish I could, instead of the lame choices we have in our area this year... happy TT :)
I'm Canadian....So, I'll just keep to myself here. ;) Great list! Very informative....
Dang, we should be a team blog wise. Good post. Tax cigarettes! Even though I buy them, im jealous there only $2.50. Outlaw public smoking. The Philly bars have done it and it hasnt affected them yet, though we will see in the winter.
So whose gonna win? You have one of the most interesting races this year.
I'm definitely with you on 10-13, but I don't think that would be enough to get you elected.
Our press/journalists/media is 80% liberal by their own admission and by research studies, so how would we know the truth of any of these issues? How would you know if the war in Iraq were going well? Read? Ha. Librarians are 274:1 liberal to conservative, and book bans begin with the book budget.
My TT this week is on women and finances.
*stands and claps*
AMEN!
Whether I agree with you or not.
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