Jamie McG's Spot - Fascinated...

My whole life, I've looked at politics as "us" and "them," the liberals and the conservatives, right and left, red and blue. And I've always felt passionate about it.

I was a Junior in High School and I had spent my weekends going door-to-door handing out pamphlets to support the Clinton/Gore ticket. What I didn't realize then was that my time was rather wasted considering I lived in Massachusetts...hardly a toss-up state. 17 years old and while I couldn't vote, I wanted to influence other people's votes. I don't know what it was about politics, but I was utterly fascinated by this big game that EVERYONE in the country could take part in. I didn't follow football or baseball (other than a last ditch effort at heterosexuality when I collected baseball cards...little did my mother know -- my favorite collection was the shirtless "dream team" series put out when I was 14), but I digress...Something about politics was magical to me.

On Tuesday, November 3, 1992, I went to school with a 18" X 24" sign around my neck for Clinton/Gore. My History teacher (who used to play Rush Limbaugh to us in class) applauded me for getting involved. My off-the-boat Irish Humanities teacher clapped as I walked in the room. And then I went to Chorus. The teacher told me to take the sign off or leave. So I left. I walked to the office and told the principal that the teacher was interfering with my first amendment rights. He told me to go back to class and I could wear the sign. I returned and Mr. Anderson told me I'd made my point with Mr. Deftos but not with him and he "deposed" me as president of the chorus. So I asked him what the point of a democratic election was if he could just go around deposing people? Again, he told me to take the sign off or leave. So I left again and half the class followed me. The next morning, the principal told me that Mr. Anderson said I had been standing in front of the class preaching Clinton/Gore policy...to be honest, I didn't know Clinton/Gore policy, so I couldn't really preach about it. Needless to say, letters were written, school committees contacted and Mr. Anderson was asked to retire. He gave me a book for my graduation "The Death of Higher Education in America," which he got at a dollar store.

Back to politics...

I've now had the opportunity to vote in several different elections...I voted to re-elect Bill Clinton, I tried for a few other presidents, but didn't do so well...nor did the rest of Massachusetts. I've seen votes tampered with. I've seen votes discounted and I've seen disappointment in the polls...and the pols.

My friends and those who know me, know that I am not timid when it comes to my beliefs. I wear my heart on my sleeve. But as of late I have been taking a step back to observe a little. I had this great conversation with my boss today, a brit who has lived in the US for several years. She made the observation that American parties are a lot closer than we think. There are some issues that are polarizing -- primarily social issues, but for the most part, in comparison to other countries with party systems, our candidates are the same.

I thought about that and then we went on to discuss the fact that Americans rarely think about how a vote is going to affect their community or the world. They are so focused on how THEY will be affected. Will THEIR taxes go up to 37% or 39%? Are THEIR beliefs going to be challenged by someone else being allowed to marry? Again, it's "us" and "them" or rather "me" and "them." I couldn't help agree with her on this. And I'm guilty of it too. I've been LIVID at the fact that Biden and Palin chose to agree on ONE thing during their debate -- that gay marriage was wrong. I wasn't angry enough that I was going to vote for someone who was wrong for me entirely, but I was pissed. And today I thought about that. What is it about Americans that make us so focused on ourSELVES? What is it about our differences that is so frightening?

We all know (much as though we are afraid to admit it), if Obama loses this election, it will be because he is Black. Say what you will, but at the base of it, is fear. Fear that HE is not the same as you. He is a "socialist," a "terrorist," a "Muslim." Call it what you, but the fear of someone "different" is overwhelming.

IF Obama was a Muslim, it frightens me and actually makes me a little sick to my stomach that this would automatically make him a terrorist in the eyes of many Americans. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. Do Americans truly feel that everyone who believes in Islam is a terrorist and wants to steal your babies? I'm frightened sometimes to be here. The fact that the media and the parties try so hard to turn the candidates into monsters is ridiculous. What is happening here is no less than Hitler propaganda. And I'm sorry but it is happening on both sides...and not always by the candidates. Painting McCain as a devil or Sarah Palin as an idiot does us no good whatsoever. Painting Obama as a Muslim terrorist and Biden as an old fool with a big mouth DOES NOT MOVE US FORWARD.

I understand that it's a game. I follow the fact that people's beliefs are strong -- I think I've established the fact that I participate as much as everyone else and that I am a hypocrite for saying most of this. I've told my share of awful Sarah Palin jokes. But in taking a step back...all these people are liars. All of them are politicians. Because of the way the game is played, they are REQUIRED to talk out both sides of their mouth. What I am questioning is why we are so caught up in the game? Is it the excitement? Is it the fact that all our politicians are fodder for the National Enquirer? Other people in other countries can sit down and discuss politics with someone on the other side of the fence without screaming. They can rationalize the differences between candidates. We fight. We YELL at one another. We sink to calling them "stupid" for their beliefs. What is this? Yes, some Americans are more educated than others. Some Americans are more willing to listen to both sides than others. But the vitriol and anger that spew from people is ridiculous.

Back during the primaries of this particular election, I was a Hillary supporter. I continue to believe she would be an excellent President. I was shocked and saddened by my friends who FOUGHT with me and went to all ends to "convince" me that Hillary was wrong and Obama was right. On one hand, it's exciting that so many people can be so excited about politics, but why the anger? Why do we resort to childish fighting over candidates who in the grand scheme of things, believe in the same thing?

I'm sorry for the rant, I just wanted to say something about how strongly I'm feeling about the politics of America.