Don't Categorize Me!

Since a fair number of my blogs lean political, I have received some spirited response from a good many readers asking me to come clean.

Huh?

Accusations range from assertions that I am a closet liberal to an ignorant Neanderthal conservative. So which is it?

Maybe both---and maybe you are too.

Ours is a world where labels are applied to everyone and everything. These labels neatly categorize people as “liberal” or “conservative” when being kind—and “communist” or “right wing bible thumper” when trying to incite emotion.

I reject this notion that people are so one-dimensional—and state further that in my opinion, most people are probably a MOSIAC of different viewpoints that are issue-specific---and often contradictory if placed under the umbrella of the all-knowing LABEL that tries to reconcile all outlooks into one homogenous category.

So what the hell am I? Actually, I’m not entirely sure—plus, I find my views evolving as I get older.

I am a fiscally conservative, socially moderate progressive who believes that big government is wrong—and that too little government is dangerous. In short, I am far too complex to shoehorn into the standard categorization that makes it easy for others to assail you. My guess is that you may be as well---and, guess what?

That’s OK.

Ever since my radio interview with then-candidate Barack Obama on the date of the 2008 New Hampshire primary, I feel that I have been incorrectly painted by some people as a liberal Democrat. In the interest of full disclosure, the Obama campaign called 94.9 WHOM (not vice versa) and I declined the interview at first. Being persistent (the hallmark of a successful campaign it seems), they called back—and I relented on the condition that the interview content be LIGHT in nature as my campaign commercial-weary listeners were sick of hearing about the issues. I felt they wanted some sense of the PERSON they would be electing. By the way, the other candidates were offered the same opportunity—but failed to respond. The result was a pleasant conversation replete with the same kind of softball questions that I would have tossed at the other guys (and gal) too.

I am a registered Republican (from the Reagan days when ol’ Ronnie made the most sense to me, especially when compared with the likes of Jimmy Carter). I worked for Senator Ted Kennedy in high school (unpaid intern) and I worked for the Committee To Re-Elect The President and Democrats for Nixon in 1972. I don’t often brag about that last one at cocktail parties.

How’s THAT for schizophrenia?

Growing up in Washington, D.C. afforded me opportunities to see politics up close and I have many wonderful stories and memories from those times.

I voted for George Bush the elder, then Clinton, then Bush the younger—and then decided that Barack Obama was by far the best choice the last time around-a view I won’t be swayed from no matter what he does.

So…Democrat…Republican…Independent?

The last one, I guess.

My complete and utter disgust with both Democrats and Republicans is now so extensive that the thought of a viable Third party has never been more appealing. Why is it that one-on-one, every Congress member or Senator is charming, articulate and disdainful of the body of which they are a member? They all speak as if each is individually separate from the dysfunctional collection of egos that defines the term “gridlock”.

Collectively, it is becoming clear that they are all political cowards. Their overriding primary objective is reelection, not the priorities of the country. The Democrats have compromised themselves to the point of being unable to govern—and the Republican's sole agenda is to thwart any type of progress for the political gain that comes from making the Democrats look stupid (an increasingly easier feat by the minute). The Republican Party is truly the party of “No” as no substantive programs ever seem to emanate from a Republican bill, other than to deregulate further any industry that is beneficial to their maintenance of the status quo.

No Republican would ever vote today to establish Social Security, Medicaid or any social program-crying “Big Government!” However, you’ll never catch any one of them backing a plan to reduce benefits in these programs—political suicide.

Democrats, meanwhile, could find a way to lose a poker game while holding a Royal Flush. Inept at the game of wielding political power, even a super majority in the Senate could not be utilized. The very thought that one Joe Leiberman could hold an entire nation in limbo on his personal whim is a disgrace. Democrats could have punished him following his betrayal during the election by removing him from Committee assignments. I thought it magnanimous that they refused to do so---but believed at the time that such a reprieve from political exile would have been worked out in a back room deal (as it should have been) Such a deal to keep this Connecticut loose cannon tied down was never done—and demonstrated the naiveté of the party in power.


Enjoy this clip from Bill Maher’s show last June—language is a bit coarse at points, so be careful-and although I don’t completely agree with him, I find his bipartisan venom to be damn funny:







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3kXpfEFjqQ

The man has a point.

It should be noted in the wake of the Scott Brown win over Margaret Coakley in Massachusetts that the Republican challenger never uttered the word “republican” in any of his campaign ads (aside from the required small-type disclaimers at bottom of the screen)
The messaging of the campaign was brilliant.

Brown used the basic statement: “I’m an INDEPENDENT thinker” to appeal to disaffected voters of both parties who were alarmed at the histrionics going on in Washington.

This use of the word “independent” and a largely positive campaign that focused on jobs, the economy and what he PLANNED to do----resonated with an electorate contemplating a choice between Brown and a horrible campaigner whose use of negative campaign ads backfired. The more negative the commercials, the more Brown’s lead grew. Did anyone on her side even NOTICE this?

George Washington warned us about the dangers of political parties. After over 230 years, his words are more impactful than ever.

I look forward to President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight. Licking his wounds from the Senatorial defeat, the waning prospects for health care legislation and an economy still on life support, it will be interesting to see how our Chief Executive rallies the nation and redefines the agenda going forward.

Pockets of America still prefer stagnation and impasse over any progressive legislation that would be credited to Democrats or Obama. However, I still believe that the majority of Americans still desire the change they created with the outcome of the election in 2008.

Is doing NOTHING really an option anymore?

If you’d like my blog in your weekday box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com