We had our Federal Election yesterday and this morning I awoke to the joyous news that we in Australia have a new Prime Minister and a new government! I am so glad we are no longer under John Howard's thumb, and although Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has yet to impress me with any of his promises coming to fruition, I am confident and optimistic that things will change for the better as far as equality for all people, care for the ill and the elderly, animal rights, and education reforms will be put into place.
Now if you guys in the US can show George Bush the door, and perhaps get someone with vision and a compassionate heart like Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, or Barack Obama in power, now that would be totally awesome as well.
This reminds me of something Bette Midler (and you all know how much I love The Divine Miss M) said: "We really shouldn't be so hard on George Bush, he's having major surgery next week. Yes, he's having John Howard removed from up his ass..."
Sorry for being cheeky (OOPS, there I go again...), but Bette cracks me up and truer words were never spoken.
As you guys know, I am a decided left-wing liberal, but I am also very spiritual and believe in good morals and values, so I hope I haven't offended anyone with this message. I just don't feel our current governments have done a good enough job in making the world a better place, and that they've gone about things the wrong way.
Congratz on your new Prime Minister Mikey! I hope he exceeds your expectations and fulfills his promises.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I've been watching the races here in the US lately (I mean, like I have a choice... Illi is like you know just one river from Iowa, and that is the focus at the moment).. And what I have figured out, is that right now, I'm not sure I could vote for any of the people in the running... There are just things about each of them that I don't think I could vote for them... I mean I did vote for Obama for Senate (He was the only person from Illi running (I mean, I'm not going to vote for some man from New York to decide what I want for my state)), but I don't think that I can honestly feel good about voting for him for president... I mean there are just some really major issues (that I will not go into) that I strongly do not agree with him on... I have never been impressed with Hillary and I honestly don't think that this country is ready to follow a woman (and I know that that don't sound right coming from a woman, but I just don't think that this country is ready at this time for a woman)... I also think that the only way that she would win would be if she had Obama as her running mate...
As far as the Republicans go... I don't think I could vote for Rudy... I mean I like him, I love what he did for New York, but I don't think that I could vote for him for president and feel good with my decision... The person who's views mirror mine the most, I don't think will get the nomination, and if he does, well... He won't win the election... (There are just too many people out there who wouldn't vote for him just cuz of his religion.. Which sucks, but that is how people really do vote in the country)..
As for W. I personally like the guy... One of the radio stations here interviewed a former secret service agent... He worked with every president from Nixon to W. And he said that as far as W. goes, what you see is what you get, how he presents himself in front of the press is how he is away from the press... He said the one president he didn't like to work with at all was Jimmy Carter.. Cuz he was completely different from what he wanted the American public to think he was...
Not only that, it is left to be seen what Bush ends up being rated as (since they don't rate presidents for 20 years (And they will look into what happend when he became president and how he handled it, and how in 20 years that effected the country, which as I said before, is left to be seen)).. I mean they just started looking back at what Reagan did, and when he was in office a lot of people complained about him, but now they are saying that he was one of the greatest presidents this country had.. In fact they are wanting to put him in the top 10 (I think it was), which is a huge deal..
Anyway, I'm glad that you're excited about your new Prime Minister, and I hope that he lives up to some of the expectations that he put on himself during the election...
I hope I haven't offended anyone with anything I've said in this thread. Just because I lean to the left, it doesn't mean that I don't respect anyone else's opinion, and if I make fun of certain politicos, it's only in fun, a la Bette Midler.
Bette makes jokes about everyone, regardless of political values. I always love when she said referring to Prince: "He's a very sweet guy, person, fella...I don't know, maybe it's just me, but when there's a sex symbol, I like to know the sex of the symbol..." - and as for Madonna, Bette had this to say: "Like A Virgin, touched for the very first time...for the very first time TODAY! The only thing that girl will ever do like a virgin is have a baby in a stable...by an unknown father!"
Once again no offense meant to anyone's beliefs, I do have a healthy spirituality, but I also have a cheeky streak a mile wide...and no, I wasn't referring to my butt either!
I am not much of a political person, but have gotten more interested in it lately. I too will be interested to see how they talk about George in 20 years.
As to Hilary or Obama or Edwards...I think I would run screaming from the Country if one of them were elected. Mikey, "Democrat" does not always equal "compassionate heart".
In questionnaires I've done tend to agree more with Mitt Romney. Sadly I agree with Jolie in that he wont get the nod because of his religious background. Most people don't understand the Mormon religion. I am more than positive Rudy will get the nod but it's way too early to tell.
Either way and more on topic, congrats on getting the guy you wanted in office Mikey. Hope he does well for your country.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Well, I don't like to argue with good friends, so I say GROUP HUG!
I honestly never meant to make people think I meant that conservatives are heartless and liberals are compassionate - it's just that I am passionate about a lot of liberal values and would love to see them represented worldwide. I think a woman president would be awesome, just as an African-American (man or woman) would be awesome too. All the presidents and prime ministers (for us here) have been stuffy old white men - and that gets boring after a while.
I say let someone else have a voice.
Also, I don't agree with *everything* the Democratic Party is in favour of - for example, I'm not in favour of abortion UNLESS a woman is a victim of sexual abuse or a sex crime.
However, I am anti-war, pro-equal rights (I HATE racism, sexism, and homophobia - whether from left or right wing contingents so I'm not singling anyone out here), and I'm all in favour of economic, education, and health care reforms. Anyone who shares these values gets my vote.
Well, Mikey, my motto is, ... "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the thread!"
Nothing can get more heated than discussing politics and religion. I'd say this is a pretty mild discussion compared to things I've read elsewhere.
I enjoy reading others' viewpoints.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
I don't claim a party, but I have very conservative views... I know where I stand on the issues, and I am never wavering on it... And when I said I didn't think that the country was ready for a woman president, I meant that there are so many people in this country who still think that women are inferior.. And I honestly think that a woman president would have to be watched more closely than a man (cuz I know that there will be people out there who want to take a hit)... I think that this country would be more welcoming to a woman president if we first had a woman vice-president.. But that is just my opinion...
I hope your new Prime Minister is a great asset to Australia as well.
I live in the state of New Mexico, where Bill Richardson is governor. To me he's about the closest thing to a rebublican then any democrat I've ever seen. I do like him because I've seen him try hard to do good things for the state and it's people. I just can't see him getting the nomination because people may not know him enough.
I would be very happy to see Mitt Romney make it. I've liked what he's had to say and I think he is a strong man with strong family values. He will have my vote if he makes it that far.
I agree that having a woman vice president may be a great way to wean people to that idea. Not Hillary though, please noooooooooo.
Bill Richardson's commercials annoy me... I mean the way he starts off, talking about getting rid of some things, like No Child Left Behind.. Now it might not be working now, but I think its cuz they are going about it wrong.. No Child Left Behind is good in theory.. But they set the standard too high.. What they need to do is they need to set reachable goals for NCLB for each year, until they get all the school up to the standard they want them to be in... (But they also have to realize that not every student is going to be able to reach that standard mark, so there has to be levels that would be reachable for everyone...) And then he ends his commerical saying "I may not be the best looking" And that just annoyed me... Cuz I know some people vote based off of looks, but the best looking guy isn't always the one who wins.. Honestly, if he did a different commercial that told me what he was about more than what this one does, then I might like him more...
Mikey, you didn't start any arguments. No one is fighting in this thread. No one is even heated in this thread. No worries Mate. All is well!
I agree that a woman VP is a better start that Commander in Chief. What scares me about people thinking it would be great to have a woman for President is that they will vote for Hilary just because she is a woman. Just like some will vote for Obama because he is "black" (albeit only half). I had this very conversation with the old black woman on my bowling team (I can call her that since she is in her late 70s and black! ). She said she would love to see a woman president. Named that as one reason she will vote for Hilary. Ugh! That scares me. She also said many people she knows will vote for Obama because he is black. That angers me. Anyway....Hil aint the right woman for that job!!!
I missed the debates last night, anyone see them? I heard Mitt and Rudy kinda went at each other.
Jolie, as I age (and that is happening faster and faster as of late) I become more conservative in my views. So much so that when I recently had lunch with my father he said "Who are you?!" I said "Hello, I'm your daughter!" See my mom is WAY liberal and dad is way conservative. (I am unsure of my left from my right. ) I seem to fall in the middle a lot but lately lean way more conservative.
Anyway....I like this thread. Thanks for the venue for the conversation.
P.S. Mikey, sometimes war is necessary...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
I wouldn't vote for someone just because they are a woman or anything, I would vote for Hillary, Obama, or Richardson for their values - if I could of course, which I can't because I'm not from the USA. My reason is because their values are the closest to my own heart - not ALL of them, but many of them.
Besides, Val Kilmer is a huge supporter of Bill Richardson and anyone that Val thinks is fit to run the country is fine with me.
It's good that we can agree to disagree and still remain good friends - it reminds me of this song by Amy Grant called Eye To Eye.
"Well, I'd like to figure out where we stand before darkness falls And I'd like to figure out before too late Before hope is lost Cause the sun that's shining on my face Is shining down on you And the fruit that gives me strength to live Is giving you strength too
Can we find a way to find a compromise Though we don't see eye to eye Eye to eye
Well, I'd like to figure out a way To leave a troubled past behind To forget those angry words and wars we fought Across the battle lines Cause tomorrow we could find a road to peace For you and me And our children in their innocence Will follow what they see
Oh, we've got to find a way to live our lives Though we don't see eye to eye
Oh...how easy it would be To close the door and walk away I can't walk out when I believe You are my brother And we owe it to each other We've got to try Though we don't see eye to eye Well, I'd like to find a way Though we don't see eye to eye Eye to eye
Well, I'd like to figure out where we stand Before darkness falls..."
Cheers, Mikey
PS I'm still anti-war and can never see it as a good thing. Sorry.
I don't know anything about Bill Richardson so I can't comment on him. But Hilary...I don't think she knows where she stands on issues. She seems to chameleon herself to fit with where she is in the Country. Ugh....I just don't like her at all. In my opinion she's an angry, bitter woman with a chip on her shoulder.
Friends and family can disagree and still love and respect each other. There are no personal attacks to individuals of this forum.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Originally posted by Gidget: Not good, never good, but necessary.
I don't know anything about Bill Richardson so I can't comment on him. But Hilary...I don't think she knows where she stands on issues. She seems to chameleon herself to fit with where she is in the Country. Ugh....I just don't like her at all. In my opinion she's an angry, bitter woman with a chip on her shoulder.
Friends and family can disagree and still love and respect each other. There are no personal attacks to individuals of this forum.
Goodness, it's a politics thread!?
Bill Richardson is EMINENTLY qualified to lead a country. He's been the US's ambassador to the UN, a congressman, the Secretary of Energy, and governor of New Mexico. He's negotiated the release of political prisoners in Korea and Iraq. He's tried to negotiate a cease fire in Darfur. He's been nominated for the Nobel Peace Price a bunch of times. This guy's practically a Superman of public servants (not that he doesn't have all the negatives of just BEING a politician). You'd think people would be interested in voting for him, yeah? I think they would, if they knew about him! It's too bad there's nothing outré about him to catch the media's attention. It's too bad there NEEDS to be something outré about him.
I don't think Hillary Clinton is angry or bitter. She comes across that way. She has the same politics as Bill, without the Bubba charm... she's stern. (Not that I like her... I'm just saying.)
You make some great points about Bill Richardson, Iris. I'm still undecided. I need to hear more and read up some more on the candidates and how they stand on issues, how they have voted, etc. I don't vote for the party, I vote for the candidate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
Personally, even though I'm not from the US, I don't particularly care for Mitt Romney after reading some of his views on certain issues - and I assure you it has nothing to do with his religion. After all, some of my very favourite musicians are people of various faiths and I am spiritual too.
I would still prefer Hillary, Obama, or Bill Richardson if I were a US citizen.
It's too early yet to tell whether Prime Minister Rudd will effect any real good, but at the same time, the sky hasn't fallen yet either.
As for world issues, I think Val Kilmer has the right idea - I wish we could vote him in as President (of the world).
Val Kilmer: "What if we made it mandatory to teach love in schools? It would be a subject you study, like algebra. You'd have to pass a test to get married or have a baby, after learning how to love. Our children would learn to be nurturing. It would be safe for boys to be loving. I heard a quote one: "Men have come and for a time made evil victorious, but they never win...Love always prevails." If we taught love, it would do more than prevail. It would manifest through our actions. Total love would liberate us all."****
Also, I love this song by Bette Midler which is all about the state of the world after September 11. It's called September and you can listen to it here:
"Have we learned our lesson Or would we do it all again Will we keep on second guessing What's as plain as anything
I know they said we had it coming But I've seen some some things I never thought I'd see In my life
All the little reasons that get me down They mean nothing I fear the good times may be gone forever
Will we cry Will we laugh Will this moment be our last
Will we hate Will we fight Seek the truth Or live a lie
Or will we just learn Cause we've known it all along Will we keep on re-living September Or will we learn
September the eleventh I did what I've always done
I took the subway to Manhattan Rode the train like everyone
Oh I saw the sky filled with sunlight And the city that had given me my wings Come tumbling down
All around me the jigsaw pieces they fell Broken diamonds
You may be gone But you are not forgotten
Will we laugh Will we cry Just give up Or go down fighting
Will we hate Or refuse Will we love What will we choose
Or will we just learn Cause we've known it all along Will we keep on re-living September
Will we learn Will we learn Will we give love in return
Will we hate Or refuse Will we love What will we choose Or will we just learn Cause we've known it all along
Will we keep on Re-living September Or will we learn..."
These are the values I hold strongly in my own heart. I still want everyone to know I mean no disrespect or offense to anyone's differing opinions though, as long as we all love each other.
