Chances are, it will be a while before I get a chance to vote for our next government as Gordon will probably let it go down to the wire; after all, at least that way he will be able to say he was Prime minister for a few years...
...but then I will face one of my problems - who the hell do I vote for?
The choice used to be fairly straight forward; left or right?
But the party I grew up supporting, the party of "ordinary people" like my Dad (OK they probably never were really that, but at least they seemed to be) - the Labour party of the sixties and seventies (and before) has of course long since been put in a pair of concrete overshoes and dumped off Westminster bridge.
And at the same time I can't really say I hate the other lot as I did when Maggie was at the helm - "call me Dave" seems like such a nice bloke - although I suspect he's really just a stuffed shirt and so perhaps I'll just write "viva la revolution" across my ballot paper - at least that way I can complain about whichever party gets in next time.
So with the prospect of having little chance a needing to make any meaningful choice for the next few years, I've been playing "fantasy politics" via satellite TV, newspapers and the internet.
If I could actually vote in America at least I would have a genuine choice. And even without a vote, I can watch the coming election with a bit of interest in who wins.
If only things were as they are portrayed as in The West Wing.
I'd vote for Bartlet in a flash! I's probably vote for Matt Santos or even Arnie Vinick.
Why are politicians only ever intelligent, compassionate and all about serving the public in fiction???
Talking of the West Wing...
There's a great moment in one episode where, during hearings about President Bartlet's cover-up of his MS, Leo is before a committee. One of the republicans wants to use his five minutes of time to ask questions that have nothing to do with the President's possible dishonesty but are simply for the spiteful purpose of embarrassing Leo over his past alcoholism and drug addiction.
Another of the republican members of the committee prevents the question...saying,
"This is why they hate us..."
His point, of course is that the political right has traditionally been "the nasty party" often more intent with scoring points or bringing others down than perhaps getting to grips with real problems or solutions.
As I grew up, it was the conservatives (small or large "C") that resisted moves to better the lot of ordinary working people. It was the right who resisted womens' rights (Anyone who believes Thatcher was a move forward for women must have been visiting another planet during her time as PM) and were content to turn a blind eye to racism. They were the ones that sneered at the "common man" - only good for working for the bosses and who should shut up, know his place and be thankful he had a job - "Get on your bike" - yeah, thanks Norman.
Well so what?
Well, maybe the right are still pretty nasty, but it saddens me to see that the left seems to be in a competition with them in this...
Now, I should imagine that if I sat down with Sarah Palin we would find few things we agree over as far as politics are concerned. However I have been dismayed and almost ashamed by the left's method of "taking her on".
You want to attack her political position on sex education? Fine; but to ridicule her family's attempt to cope with her daughter Bristol's pregnancy - and when did the left care if you were married when you got pregnant? They've been trying to convince us all different types of family are equally as valid for as long as I can remember. It's hard to avoid the conclusion that what they really mean is that all types of family are valid, as long as the family in question agrees with the rest of our politics too.
By all means argue against her views on abortion - but to criticize her for bringing a Down's child into the world - is it ONLY a woman's right to choose if she chooses abortion?
And she believes in a literal 6 day creation? Well so do 150 million of her fellow Americans...many of whom will have to vote for Barak Obama if he is to enter the White House.
Then of course, the internet rumour mill has had a field day...an affair...her last child is really her daughter's (and so what - is it anyone's business?)...she bans books...and so on...
And finally, the ultimate irony - the question is constantly posed, how can she possibly hope to be Vice-President as a wife and mother at the same time?
Ahh the new rallying cry of the left - get back in the kitchen, woman, that's where you belong!!!
So, yes, I hope that Obama wins in November, I think the world might just be a better place for him, although I do worry that he is so inexperienced...
...but in the meantime, "Go Sarah!" - ignore and confound the mean spirited gits.
And I hope she kicks ass in the debate tonight.
politics hypocrisy palin
