Voting...The Best Revenge?
Revenge.....is that what this election is about? In a campaign speech on Sunday, the President urged his Ohio supporters to, "Vote. Voting is the best revenge." I'm inclined to take his advice. After all, voting isn't really the privilege and solemn duty of responsible citizens; it's a weapon to be wielded against one's enemies. Perhaps the President was playing off the popular aphorism, "Living well is the best revenge"; again, I would heartily agree. The President has replaced "Living well," with "Revenge." I wish folks in America were living well again, but I'd settle for "Living better."
Folks would be living better if they weren't afraid of skyrocketing energy prices, as November brings winter. The combination of bad energy policy, expensive renewable mandates, and meager job growth; has many people wondering how they'll heat their homes this winter. Liberal legislators would remedy this problem by handing out subsidies for everything from food and electricity, to condoms and cell phones. These subsidies would be paid for by those of you who, by the grace of big government, are still wealthy enough to bear the brunt of over taxation. The money runs out, then you borrow, then you're out in the cold. Homes get heated when energy is cheap, and people have steady paychecks.
Folks would be living better if the businesses downtown were thriving. Businesses hire people, when they're not afraid of tax hikes and soaring health care costs. Business owners run scared with targets painted on their backs, while potential employees stand in line at the Michigan Works office.....Revenge is sounding better and better.
Three days ago, if asked, I would have predicted a victory for the President in the electoral college; but "revenge".....really? Revenge against who? Should disagreeing with the President's policies make us the object of liberal vengeance? Have we digressed from civil discourse, to Hatfields and McCoys?
Gone is the kinder, gentler President; who can reach across the aisle and trade sweet nothings with republican governors. I was afraid that Mitt Romney's momentum had finally been stopped, amid Sandy's bipartisan hugs and Red Cross speeches. For a little while there, the President was standing alone in the spotlight; looking presidential, and talking about cutting through bureaucracy to get the job done. This is what gets Presidents elected. I had concluded that a freak, catastrophic storm had diverted the nation's attention away from lopsided debates, an ailing economy, and dead ambassadors; and gift wrapped a second term for the President.
But alas, my fears were in vain. The take charge, bipartisan President of last week; is back to his usual divisive self, encouraging his supporters to take revenge on the other half of the country. Petty attacks and fear mongering, are the default position of a candidate on the ropes. The President continues to look small and agitated, while Mitt Romney is looking more and more presidential, in front of bigger and bigger crowds.
This election will be a cliff hanger. One thing, however, is clear; in January , through sequestration and tax hikes, the next President will inherit a nation on the verge of a second recession.....or worse. I don't believe President Obama is up to the task of restoring prosperity to America; but Mitt Romney has an uphill battle ahead, should he emerge victorious. When all of the election hype dies down, and folks fade back into the routines of life; it will be the responsibility of an informed citizenry to remain engaged. Don't go to sleep; because tyranny and despotism will continue to crouch in the shadows, awaiting the opportunity to pounce. Remember that getting your candidate elected is only the beginning. Due diligence is required, to hold him or her accountable for their actions. Politicians will do frightening things, when they think you're not paying attention.
I don't find the idea of revenge voting very appealing. I've never thought of my vote as an instrument of punishment. I vote for people, and policies, that I believe will benefit all Americans; even those who disagree with me. If we continue to use our democratic process to dole out punishment, we will never get busy fixing the situation we find ourselves in together.
So I will see you at the polls. I hope you cherish the opportunity to make your voice heard; many have sacrificed to protect the rights and institutions, that we sometimes take for granted. Regardless of the outcome of this election, the grassroots conservative movement is here to stay. I encourage all my fellow patriots to stay engaged and involved. You have made your presence felt, and your voices heard. I am proud to have stood beside you over the last four years.....More will be required from us, so I'll see on the other side.
Don
6:06 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012
You have chosen your own slated interpretation of the President's comment, just as you have chosen to ignore the scores of inane comments coming from Mitt Romney (not caring for the poor, 47%, letting Detroit go bankrupt, binders full of women, et. al.).
Informed Americans chose this interpretation - this President has been blamed for a host of problems ranging from, as you so eloquently mis-stated "soaring health care costs" to "downtown businesses (not) thriving", along with the conservative-imagined malady du jour.
Conservatives do not know what is best for ME (or raped women!). This President inherited two wars, an economy sent down the tubes by failed conservative policies, a laughingstock standing on the world stage, a non-existent national healthcare system that benefits ALL Americans, and Republican "leadership" that has pledged to stand in the way of ANYTHING he attempted to accomplish.
Revenge? I want it. The people that vote for President Obama will finally have the opportunity to cut through all the political naysaying that has emerged as a detriment to progress, and make the statement of supporting a President we know has done the job.
Bryan Bentley
4:54 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Gas prices doubled. Ambassador Stevens dead, and a cover up in progress. Fast & Furious, and another cover up. 6 Trillion in new debt. Not one single budget in 4 years as President. Defines Fort Hood massacre as "workplace violence." Hmmmm I am not so sure I like the "job" he has done...
Don
9:59 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
You are telling tales again Bryan. Gas prices have nowhere near doubled in Obama's 4 years (they skyrocketed when Bush went into Iraq), and he doesn't control gas prices. Oil companies do, and they are among the Republican parties biggest donors. New debt? How were Bush's two wars going to get paid for, when he also cut taxes for his wealthy campaign donors, and ran the economy into the ground by letting Wallstreet run amok? A budget has not passed because the Republicans in congress add spending to them (for an example, google "funding for military bands") and Obama refuses to add that spending. Romney has promised the same spending increases, because the ship building conglomerates have "convinced" him the Navy doesn't have enough ships. Fort Hood? Dead Ambassador? How about the warning Bush got prior to 9/11, or the thousands of America's finest sacrificed in the futile hunt for Saddam's WMD? I would say the lifes lost there would make your examples pale by comparison.
We know what a Romney led administration would like like Bryan...no thanks. He either refuses to be pinned down on an issue (like his taxes!) or he changes it whenever another donor's big check comes in. Voters in Michigan and Mass. know Romney best - will he carry those states tonight?
And Bryan, if you think Republicans do such a good job, why do you seemingly spend every waking minute railing against the ones the Republican electorate put on the job in Plymouth Township?
Don
10:05 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Hey Bryan - Can you recap Thad McCotter's terms in Congress for me please, or tell me what you think of his potential Republican replacement?
Bryan Bentley
10:30 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Don,
Are you gonna throw Thad up every single time? You have the Conyers duo. You have Bobby Ficano. You have Kwame & Pops. Care to recap any of those folks? ;)
Don
11:56 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
No Bryan, I don't fly a Dem flag the way you fly yours ("MY Republican party" is your quote I believe). I vote for candidates of both parties, and support our current governor. I am just curious about what you think of the job McCotter did, because his only contribution was to waste taxpayer money by taking up office space and to block anything President Obama ever proposed, except when he broke ranks with his Republican colleagues on the auto bailout (which Romney opposed).
I just find it ironic that you defend an electorate that put McCotter into office several times, and put the whole crew of Plymouth Twp. cronies you rail against into office several times, and declare another candidate worthy of office because he voted for Barry Goldwater, and yet refuse to recognize the progress made by our current President after he took on arguably the biggest mess ever created by the incompetence of a previous administration.
Bush took on a budget surplus from a Democratic President -- what did he do with it?
Your turn.
Bryan Bentley
5:31 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Oh you most certainly do carry the Dem water Don. You like to wave McCotter around like a flag, but don't want to talk about Dems who are absolute crooks. You can't have it both ways Don. Well, apparently YOU can... LOL
Don
11:58 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Who are you voting for for Congress Bryan?
Jen
1:03 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Tony- I view my vote FOR Obama as a vote against the power behind the Anti-Christ. (Namely the Pope and Papal Rome) According to Revelations the Anti-Christ power (the Vatican and Pope) will have a country with great power that came out of an area of very few people that will be the power behind the Anti-Christs plans. I find it disturbing that the Pope and Vatican have told their priests and Bishops to inform the parishes that if they vote for Obama they are going to Hell. Wow, that just SCREAMS Anti-Christ. Jesus made no governmental laws while on earth and neither should we. Most protestant religions knew that Roman Catholic Rule was the Anti-Christ but most have become too PC to actually say it outright.
Romney has all these plans in mind for legislation that has no reason except to push religious ideas onto others. (Anti-Abortion and bans on Gay equality under the law) Once we start placing laws on our books that have no other reason for their existence but religious reasons, we are in danger of having laws placed on the books that are contrary to our own beliefs. I realize that the United States must become the power behind the Anti-Christ but I would prefer to have 4 more years without a Papal puppet in office.
Oh and you did take Obama's words out of context and twisted them. Must have been listening to Fox. Can't even bring myself to call them news. PSHHHT!
Don
6:52 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
@ Bryan:
Kwame Kilpatrick was a Dem and crooked politician. There you go Bryan. But what do YOU think of the job McCotter did? What do YOU think of his potential Republican replacement? I suspect your few followers would like to know. Were or are they good representatives of YOUR party? These are the people that are supposed to represent ALL of us in Congress, as our direct link to the US Government.
Is that not as important as your vendetta against Plymouth Township trustees??
Do you want to take a pass on this one too?
Don
6:58 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Curious that Tony doesn't check in and comment on what people are saying about his missive.
Paid blogger on the run maybe?
You would think they would get somebody able to interject a little bit more (like any) for that kind of dough.
Don
7:12 pm on Tuesday, November 6, 2012
@Bryan - How come you can't address my counter to your lame argument on the kind of job Obama has don-specifically your fact checking on gas prices, your reponse of the Bush admin blunder on handling 9/11 attack intelligence, the justification for the Iraq wars, and the condition of the Bush-exiting economy?
Too trivial for you address, when you have campaign sign stealing issues to address?
Does dancing around one topic enable you to evade addressing all the others too?
Firing fibs and half-truths and then not responding when you are called out on it...sounds like Romney!
I'm glad you can laugh that off!
Don
8:40 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Where are you today, Bryan? It seems your influence in local politics is on the wane, don't you think?