In last week's first presidential debate, I was pretty impressed with McCain. He did a lot better than I expected, especially considering he almost didn't do it. Overall I didn't think the debate was that exciting. I felt that both sides pretty much agreed on most things. Of course both are going to do their best in correcting the economy and our foreign relations - no one wants to see the country get worse in both aspects. Although I do disagree with McCain on diplomacy. And I'm kinda tired of Obama and the democrats referring to past events and blaming everyone and their mother about it but themselves. Unfortunately, shit's happened already, so stop wasting your time bitching and start telling us what you're gonna do about it. The past is the past; you can't change what happened, you can only change what's going to happen. In the end, I didn't hear anything I didn't hear before from them or other politicians. I do have to say they need to stop talking about how one is a war hero and the other one is half black/half white. Really, we get it!
But last night was what I've been waiting for: the Palin-Biden debate. Based on her past interviews, I expected Palin to get stumped. Okay, she didn't completely bomb but she still totally sucks. Again, half of the things she says are empty and pointless, and she constantly veered off the question. How many times did she start her rebuttal with, "let me just get back to (name an issue: energy/afghanistan/iraq) for a moment. I feel that we really need to get back (name an issue: energy/afghanistan/iraq) because it's very important"? If I had a euro for every time she did that, I'd have a good chunk of change...in dollars. But seriously, she did that...a lot.
She also said a few things I just want to comment on:
1) PALIN (on diplomacy): ...with some of these dictators who hate America and hate what we stand for, with our freedoms, our democracy, our tolerance, our respect for women's rights, those who would try to destroy what we stand for...
ummm she doesn't respect women's rights either! If a girl got raped, not only by a stranger but by someone in her family, she definitely should be able to choose to keep it or not. And, victims of rape should not have to pay for the investigation of the crime against them! WTF!
2) PALIN (on taxes/healthcare): That doesn't cost the government anything as opposed to Barack Obama's plan to mandate health care coverage and have universal government run program and unless you're pleased with the way the federal government has been running anything lately, I don't think that it's going to be real pleasing for Americans to consider health care being taken over by the feds. But a $5,000 health care credit through our income tax that's budget neutral.
I would rather pay taxes so children and retired people can have guaranteed health benefits. Taxes are no fun, but they are necessary. And if you are going to tax me, at least use it for good, not for a war or for rich companies like Halliburton. Universal healthcare has worked for other countries, why can't it work in ours? I may not be an expert on budgets or whatever, but I would hope the government would use my money wisely.
3) PALIN (on intervention in Darfur, etc.): John McCain who knows how to win a war. Who's been there and he's faced challenges and he knows what evil is and knows what it takes to overcome the challenges here with our military.
Maybe I'm just misinformed, but when did McCain win a war? We for sure did not win Vietnam, and we for sure haven't won either Iraq or Afghanistan.
4) PALIN (on Biden's equating patriotism to paying higher taxes): Now you said recently that higher taxes or asking for higher taxes or paying higher taxes is patriotic. In the middle class of America which is where Todd and I have been all of our lives, that's not patriotic.
Is she really middle-class? I would assume anyone in an "executive" position in the government would stop being middle class after the first couple of paychecks. At some point she also said, "Todd and our marriage in our past where we didn't have health insurance and we know what other Americans are going through...." If she can relate to and is so concerned with our health care and the struggling middle class, why not provide them with easy access to health benefits?
5) PALIN (on current administration): There have been huge blunders in the war. There have been huge blunders throughout this administration, as there are with every administration.
Yeah, I don't think the war is simply a "blunder". I don't think the death of over 4,000 soldiers in an unjustified war is a blunder. And they say us anti-war liberals don't support the troops! Jerks!
As for my overall reaction, Palin still has not won my vote (and she never will). A friend sent me a link to Palin Bingo, a bingo game based on how often she would say certain words/phrases. I didnt' have the means to print the bingo cards or have the time to re-create them, but she definitely had some good ones in there: "Maverick", "greed from Wall St.", "bring America back to the side of the people". Again, if I had a euro...well you know how it goes. I also just can't stand how she talks. I understand that her whole image is supposed to be like the average American, but seriously??? Like Jon Stewart said, if all average Joe Schmoe could be president, then we're screwed. I hate how she does the wink thing and says things like doggone it, or Joe Six pack (what is that supposed to mean? Like a man with a six pack abs or a six pack of beer? What??), or at ya, or with ya. Aargh!!! There is a way to be down-to-earth in a presidential campaign without having to sound like you're just having a casual conversation at a bar.
As for an American living in Spain, I do appreciate that Spain keeps getting represented in these debates. I can't believe McCain made a stupid comment about not talking to Zapatero. Apparently, he's met all world leaders except Zapatero. That was one name he couldn't drop in his debate. I also have to say that I'm pretty proud to be able to see a woman and a black man in a debate. It just hit me today as I watched the VP debate that it's kinda weird, yet refreshing, to not see two white men on the podium.
Lastly, I just want to comment on how much I hate how politicians refuse to admit to mistakes. If they voted on one thing and later went against it, they can never admit it. Just say you changed your mind. What's so wrong with changing your mind?! We're human! We're fickle and change our views on many things as we learn more about it. Isn't flexibity a good thing? Nothing good ever comes out with being from one end or another. They totally freak out when accused of flip-flopping...and simultaneously forever ruining the reputation of my favorite footwear!
Alright I'm done! I can't wait for how this all turns out in the next month. I would really like them to physically start punching each other in the debates...that would make things more interesting. But I guess that will never happen. In Sarah Palin's words, "oh darn it!"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment