Category Archives: politics

Upon this morning's election disasters.

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This is from a friend, upon the 2010 midterm elections:

Can I tell you what I find really confusing? Obama was elected with a mandate in 2008 and he was very clear about what he was going to do, he was very clear about his plan, and, yes, there have been some hiccups along the way, but for the most part he has STUCK TO THE PLAN. It’s not like health care was a surprise. It’s not like he wasn’t clear about Iraq and Afghanistan and don’t ask don’t tell and the stimulus. He SAID he was going to do all that stuff, and we elected him by a pretty significant margin, and then he DID them and everyone loses their fucking minds and is like, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?! and runs screaming with their hair on fire over to the far right. I. Don’t. Understand. Did you think he was JOKING? Why did you vote for him in the first place then? Quite seriously, what is wrong with people?

Also, I think the democrats did a terrible job of making the midterms sexy and being clear about their accomplishments and making people feel as though they had a part to play. The 2008 election was sexy as hell, and if they had motivated young voters the way they did in 2008 then I think the map would look very different than it does this morning. Where are the big billboards that say: HEY POOR PEOPLE, IF YOU VOTE REPUBLICAN YOU’RE FUCKING YOURSELF IN THE ASS WITH A BEER BOTTLE, BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HATE POOR PEOPLE? Where are the billboards that say REPUBLICANS WANT TO TAKE YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS? Why did I only see that “I have a memory” video yesterday, and why was it not all over the internet like the “yes we can” video was two years ago? We can blame the republicans and we can blame the tea partiers and we can blame people for being idiots, but I also don’t think we’re doing a very good job of getting our own message out.

I hear you, friend. Obama, 2012. Let’s get it together, folks.

Civic duty: done by 7:30 am.

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Hey, guys. Do you like my sticker? I sure do. Have you all gone out to vote, yet? If not, I am sure you will be soon, right?

If not, then I hope that it’s because you already mailed in your ballot. Because I know you wouldn’t NOT vote. Or, if you don’t vote, I know you never complain about the way things are, right? Because this is your chance to do something about it. But you know that.

 

Your mother would want you to!

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Hey all!! Here comes the busy season at my job, but as this season gets busy, what else is gearing up? The midterm elections. I encourage all of you to get out and vote. Now, before you say, “Why does she have to get all political in the fall?” It’s because I care. About you, me, and our children’s future. My parent’s future. Everyone’s future. And I need you to care, too. By getting out and voting, you’re showing that you care, and that you vote for those who care, and who will make a difference. Tell me where you’re living, and if you’re voting, and how many times you’ve voted. First time? GREAT! Second time? EVEN BETTER. Participation is strongly encouraged; we don’t want anyone dropping out, which is typical for midterms.

But, Jennie, does it matter? How many seats are being contested?!

100 seats in the House. That’s 23% of the House!

19 seats in the Senate. That’s 19% of the Senate!

28 Governor races are happening, too. 56% of the governors are up!

Friends in Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia….I’m looking to you. Political website are full of information about each race, and the New York Times is just a starting point.

Need an absentee ballot? There is Michigan’s.
Here is Massachusetts.

Who else needs info? Let me know.

Watch this video, and enjoy — and VOTE.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KDbtJSYgyQ]

Flash mob, on a serious note.

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Yesterday I was emailed this video by Moveon.org:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FhMMmqzbD8&feature=player_embedded]

While I think it’s hilarious, I also find it pretty serious. Kate and I talked about this a few weeks ago, and I think it’s really important to talk about it in context.

Let me begin with another chain: Walmart. As my friend S has pointed out, yes, sometimes it’s cheaper. I get it. But is that all that matters? Maybe for some people, and I understand that right now I am lucky to have a job, and a support system. But can we really turn a blind eye to our morals when we can get a bookshelf $10 cheaper? How does that feel on your conscious? I know for some, it doesn’t matter. Target and Walmart are the same in their eyes: giant corporations that swindle you with crap that becomes broken and unusable as the Target 2011 rolls out, promising shiny new low prices and bookshelves.

And, for the most part, I agree. Why is Target selling me something that won’t last? Why wouldn’t we strive for things that will last us, as strong as the so-called American spirit? Where would you buy kitchen supplies if not for Target? Towels? Stationary? Make-up?

When I was in China, I reluctantly shopped at Walmart for my needs. I was only there for two months, and I didn’t know where else to go. But I am sure if I had spent some time in the Hutongs around my campus, I would have been able to find almost everything I needed. And you can bet I would have been that much more proficient in Mandarin. I have never been inside a US Walmart, and I hope that will be true for the rest of my life. I have morals, and I try hard to live by them every day, not just when it’s convenient.

But, some people think Target is different. Or is it? I read this article, and was surprised to find that maybe, Target isn’t as Anti-Walmart as we think. Also this article, which explains the similarities between them. I have a friend moving here in a few weeks, and no-doubt Target will be on our minds as we go through the shopping list one needs to start in an apartment. But what do we do if we don’t go to Target? Where would we go? Well, I aim to find out. I understand that not everyone thinks their money will make a difference, that not spending $50 at Target isn’t going to make them miss a beat. But what if everyone you KNEW did that? That’d be a lot more money…and think of the effects around the country.

What if we got tools and cleaning supplies from our local hardware store? Kitchen supplies from our local kitchen store, etc., etc.? I know, I know, big brands are just as bad: why would I pay more to buy a hammer from a small ACE than from Home Depot or Target? Because I want that small retailer to stay. I want them to thrive, and to pay their employees more, to know my name when I walk in, for them to understand my problems. Now, maybe this is the Michigan country-girl in me, or the small business toy store worker in me, but I think that’s important.

Living in LA, everyone strives to go to local restaurants, to places small and large, places successful and booming, to places small and uncrowded. Why aren’t we the same with the rest of what we buy? Now, I know that sometime in the near future I am going to cave to the bullseye. I am going to go to Target to get something I know they sell. But what if we all tried that much harder to just buy local? Could we really help LA’s economy grow? Maybe, just maybe, we could.