Category Archives: politics

Aren’t we all from somewhere else?

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I’ve kept quiet this election cycle much more than I did in 2008. I suspect this is because I have been busy in my personal life, in my blogging life over at GMS, and in my work life. But I have to take a moment to talk about last night’s debate, because these issues affect everyone.

I am voting for Barack Obama, and I am guessing this is no surprise to any of you. But I am not merely supporting the President for re-election because I support him fiercely (which I do) but because I am afraid of what a world would look like if Romney wins.

When this election cycle started, no one knew that it was going to be the election that was about not rolling back women’s rights, but that’s what it’s become. Romney and Ryan’s plans to limit my access to contraceptives, abortion (should I God forbid ever need it,) and general family planning is horrifying, and unacceptable.

In addition, I believe that we should take assault weapons off the streets. And the fact that Romney made a question about gun control about making sure that families have two parents (married, off course, a subtle nod that gay parents won’t cut it) was horrific. Or is there a study I missed pointing to single parents as the parents of most murders?

If I hear Romney refer to middle class as “middle-income” one more, I swear, I’m going to lose it. Because, in case you didn’t hear it, Romney defines middle-income as people who are making $250,000 a year – not actually the middle class OR middle-income in this country (which is, in fact, $50,000.)

And, by the way, they are illegal immigrants, not “illegals.” 

My sorella wrote a lot about this today, so I’ll let her post speak to more points that asserted my belief in Barack. I believe in everything she said, luckily, and she beat me to the punch today, plus you guys probably read her blog, too, right?

honey to the bees, baby.

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Last night’s speech by President Obama was inspiring, and I just want you to be able to watch it, if, you know, you have a minute.

It’s not up as I write this, but I am sure it’ll be here when it does. In the meantime, you can watch this video of James Taylor singing at the Democratic National Convention.

I don’t agree with everything that the Democrats say and do. But I do think that Barack Obama is the right choice for America in 2012. And I can’t wait to cast my vote for him.

Other inspiring speeches of the DNC include Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Warren, Jennifer Granholm, Deval Patrick, Julian Castro, and several other greats I have the privilege of sharing a party with.

[This is the part where my personal blog turns political for at least two months because everything about our government affects everything about our lives. I hope you’ll stick with me.]

 

So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama.

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Last night, President Obama addressed the nation during the State of the Union address. I listened on my way home from work, watched the rest at home, and listened to the Republican response on my way home.

Regardless of what you think about our President, our politics, or people’s positions, this speech was meant to be heard by all citizens. I loved especially the President’s take on illegal immigration, and his dedication to getting things done. And he’s right, we’re all a little cynical. But I have hope, and I believe this year we’ll get things done.

Here’s our President’s speech, and the full transcript. I hope you’ll take the time to watch it, and get an update on the state of our wonderful union.

 

Happy Birthday, Mr. President.

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I hope you have a lovely 50th birthday.

I made these cupcakes in your honor when you were elected President. If I could guarantee you’d get one and I wouldn’t be left with them to eat myself, I’d make them again for you.

We might have to make another one this year to celebrate.

Have a lovely day with your lovely family in lovely Chicago.

Moment of silence: moment of pause.

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In light of the recent shooting in Arizona, I think most Americans took a second, an hour, a day to think about the state of things here in our great country. Everyone’s been thinking about it, wondering, how could you be that angry? or how could you get a semi-automatic weapon in a sporting goods store? or simply, how?

How does something like this happen in the US? How does someone buy a gun like that here, and for what? Surely not for hunting. You’d riddle the animal with so many bullets before you were through you wouldn’t be able to eat it. For self protection, then? To protect yourself from…what? Other guns?

My blog hasn’t strayed to politics in a while, and I’ve been certainly focused on cooking, my own life, things at home. But this gives me pause. It reminds me of what I believe in. Of why I voted for who I voted for. Of why I trust who I trust. Because I know that there are others out there like me, who don’t believe that you should be able to go into a sporting goods store, the same place kids buy their summer swimsuits, their fall soccer cleats, their winter ice skates, and buy a semi-automatic pistol. Legally.

And it reminds me of what I don’t support. Gun rights. Because since when did “gun” and “rights” make the same sentence? Rights to what? Someone else’s life? Or at least limb? How is that a right? How is that something worth fighting for? Explain that to me. And I don’t support people who use crosshairs to pinpoint who there is left to beat. And for that matter, I don’t support those who knock the First Lady for giving children food rights. (And when was the last time you heard a parent yell and scream about food rights, anyways?)

Let’s all take a moment of silence. Then, a moment of pause. Then, action. We are resilient. We are change. So start a conversation. Talk to your congressmen, talk to your senator. Talk to your neighbor. Talk to your friends. Talk to me.