Recently in elections Category

Memories from the past haunt our present and color our future— no matter if you are a GOP or a Dem, in a red or blue state. The ability to vote — and make your voice heard— is crucial.

It’s my first distinct memory of my father: he’s standing in our kitchen, making long-distance phone calls to relatives to make sure they’d done something—something he couldn’t do for himself.

It was Tuesday, November 8, 1960, and I was five years old; my father was 48. And the “something” he couldn’t do was to vote for John F. Kennedy. My father wasn’t permitted to vote because we lived in Washington, DC.

It’s understandable that a five-year-old didn’t know that Washingtonians weren’t able to vote. After all, most of the grownups I know now are surprised to learn that DC residents couldn’t vote.

(The 23rd amendment to the US Constitution, which would grant Washingtonians the right to vote in presidential elections, would not be passed until March 29, 1961—my sixth birthday. I confess that I don’t exactly remember the day, but I’m sure there was cake. Washingtonians still don’t have voting members in Congress, which explains their license plate motto, “Taxation without representation!” It’s also the reason that, when I’m asked if I’m from “Washington, the state,” my response is, “No. Washington, the colony.”)

After being assured that the extended family had, indeed, cast their votes for Kennedy, my father settled in to watch the election results on our living room TV. And I went to bed.

My second distinct memory of my father is discovering him the following morning, snoozing in front of the TV. (Richard Nixon had conceded to JFK at 3 a.m., DC time.) I remember being startled by the fact that he hadn’t shaved. My father was a proper sort of gentleman; he wore a shirt and tie to work six days a week. And he shaved every day—twice. While some historians blame Richard Nixon’s defeat on the appearance of dark stubble on his face during a televised debate with Kennedy, it was my father’s 5 o’clock shadow that I remember best.

Every fall, my children are forced to listen to that story and endure a sermon on the incredible privilege of voting. They sigh and roll their eyes, signaling each other with that “here she goes again” look. I don’t mind. The only thing that matters is that they treasure—and exercise—their right to vote.

VOTE: don’t think your vote, your voice won’t make a difference! It does. This country was founded on the right to vote for the leadership and on issues. People have gone to war and died * for the right to vote. This election— and * any election— your voice counts.

Living In A Perfect World

What’s your “perfect world”?

LPW

Preppycrat has taken on an issue about which I have been contemplating a commentary post. Maybe that’s good, maybe that’s bad, but as someone who lives in the DC area, Preppycrat has more access to all the information that I do here in LA (read Liberal Alternative location) . Check out some of the videos on http://www.politico.com/kotecki/

Here’s a quote from the Preppycrat post. Courtesy of www.politico.com, we have found out that Sarah Palin has spent approximately $150,000 on clothing, hair and makeup for herself and her family since early September.

OK, let’s parse this. Ms. Josephine six pack has spent three times the annual income of the average middle class family on clothes, makeup, hair since the beginning of September. That’s about a four or at best five week period. John Edwards’s $400 haircut was less than one tenth the $4716.49 spent on hair and makeup by the Palin clan. And as far as anyone knows, he paid this out of his own pocket (edit - he paid for it with campaign money but later reimbursed the campaign for it). The RNC funded the entire $150,000 for Palin’s clothing and accessories.

Similar outfits can be had at a variety of places, to wit Ann Taylor Loft, where you can have this outfit for less than $500 including the cute black patent leather tote and the ankle boots. Here at one of Michelle Obama’s favorite stores, White House/Black Market is a leather jacket similar to the one pictured on Palin, above. Yes, it’s black, not red. But from this store one can be sure the quality is good and the price is certainly reasonable for a good leather jacket. From Banana Republic, a black suit with royal purple blouse, and finally from Victoria’s secret, a suit in a pretty cocoa brown, and also from Vicki’s Secret what is more of a power play than a vivid red suit?

End of Preppycrat’s commentary and here is mine. Here’s what’s wrong with this picture— 1) Mrs. McCain wears an outfit that’s 10 x the cost of what Laura Bush wore to the RNC

Now I will say that Mrs. McCain PAID for this $300 thousand dollar ++ outfit from her own wallet— but given the economy then (and considered in retrospect with the current situation) this was just bad judgement. However it was her money.

2) Sarah Palin has let the RNC pick up the tab. Her stylist charged the RNC over $20k for the work she did which was almost 2x the amount that amount paid the McCain’s foreign policy advisor. Does anyone see the problem with the rationale here? What’s more important: the appearance or the knowledge? Your call here — not mine. However I don’t care HOW a president looks (overly gaunt and tall —think Lincoln; in a wheelchair— think FDR; wearing glasses because he’s really got poor vision and was a wimpy kid— think Teddy Roosevelt) , I care about what he—or she— can do and how much they know. I want them to be intelligent and informed. I don’t care if they are all that well-dressed. Especially in hard times when people are skittish and might be living in cars.(Recently spotted a couple people living in their car in our upper class are. I know someone who has been handing out Jackson’s when people ask for a buck), this is not the image the RNC needs to be putting out on the table.

Here’s another image that"> Preppycrat wants you to see — Dr. Jill Biden!

According to Preppycrat; There is a gem of an article at www.style.com the online home of Vogue magazine that has a wonderful picture of the 4 generations of Biden women and an excellent article on Dr. Biden. The article and photo are also in the magazine itself. Among other things, Dr. Biden runs 5 miles a day, has multiple graduate degrees in addition to her doctorate, and truly likes clothes but also within reason, in the article she talks about much she loves one of the suits she’s purchased recently because it not only looks great and fits her well but it’s a price an “educator can afford.”

Ok.. I am not voting on the basis of fashion. If that were the case, I would use Cindy McCain as president and have her balance the budget— forget John. But this isn’t about fashion. It’s about being able to run a country and navigate tough times and treacherous waters.

What I don’t want to see in the White House is someone who’s foolish enough to think that image is everything and that we (as in “we the people” aren’t going to notice. Obviously I am not happy with the Wall Street Melt-down — and along with the manufactured gas “crisis”, the financials bailout- from AIG to all the mortgage- lenders who dropped the ball on being aware that people had to PAY these loans. It’s not a situation that’s going to be easy for any person to walk into and deal with — as an executive or the President. However if you want to base it on the values shown by the candidates and also by the images they are presenting (and yes this is about image), is what they are espousing matching up to what they are showing you? Is there alignment there or not? Is it relevant to your life? Is it meaningful? Are they walking the walk as wlel as talking the talk? (How can anyone forget they own 8 houses?)

Referencing the Wall Street Meltdown, I have created a sandwich in honor of this occasion: Swiss Cheese, Sour Pickles, Ham, Turkey,
Saurkraut , Hot Mustard, Red Onion on day old egg bread— grilled till it’s really crispy and brown— almost black.

Thanks to Preppycrat for allowing me to borrow her posts. Living in a Perfect World: How is life in your world? LPW.