A rare foray into politics

[beetiger]

I went to a Kerry-Edwards house party on Thursday night or whenever the heck the last day of the DNC was. I didn't really know I was going to a sponsored party; I really thought I was going to hang out with a random collection of liberals from the UU to watch the speeches rather than watch them alone in my living room.

There was stuffed steak, and salmon, and cocktail shrimp with mustard sauce, and good wine, and the best homemade chocolate pudding I've had in a long time. There was talk about how we really had ought to legalize (and tax) victimless crimes like prostitution. And then there was a big screen TV with C-SPAN showing the spin movie for Kerry, and drunk people dancing, and finally his acceptance speech.

I was unimpressed at first -- he seemed not to know what to do with a cheering crowd, and kept seeming apologetic to interrupt them and go on -- but he finally hit his stride. I don't believe a lot of what he said would get implemented, of course; I'll be shocked if we make any real moves toward universal health care, for example. And I'm not really happy with the class war rhetoric, especially phrased as "upper class vs. middle class", as if anyone in America below the middle class just isn't trying very hard.

But I came away from the evening stoked, because I think that this guy could win, and we need someone who isn't Bush in office ASAP. I don't think it's a guarantee he will win, by any stretch of the imagination, so I'm actually considering working for the campaign, while I'm at home with Rhys and can probably manage the time if they're flexible about what they need. I'm still not planning to give them moeny, though.

First, I want to get Kerry in office. Then I want to spend the next four years fighting for the things that the people and the world I care about need, the things that neither Republicans nor Democrats are ready to make happen.

Comments

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

It always amazes me that the far right in Canada still accepts universal, mostly-public health care as essential, and that the complaints about gun control here centre on the fact that the law they put in place doesn't work - very few people say no such law is needed.

How exactly has America managed to swallow its anti-leftist rhetoric enough to stomach having us as their next-door neighbour? It's really kind of strange.

I managed to find time on my mat leave to volunteer for the provincial election last fall. (Yes, I worked for the Liberal party. So sue me. I'm a teacher. Who was I supposed to vote for?) Try volunteering to deliver flyers or something door-to-door two or three times a week. There's something about a woman pushing a baby carriage that inspires trust, and I'm sure Rhys would love to get out.

[cktraveler.livejournal.com]

According to the Washington Post, Kerry is now beating Bush on the numbers, and he's making progress even in regard to who'd be a better commander-in-chief -- something that they almost always defer to the incumbent on.

What I see is that things are 100% sure to get worse under Bush, while the odds on Kerry are uncertain. Doesn't take Jimmy the Greek to know which way to bet.

[cktraveler.livejournal.com]

And I think I just dated myself badly ...

[marram.livejournal.com]

we need someone who isn't Bush in office ASAP

Please, keep screaming that one loud enough so they can hear you in the back row!

fighting for the things that the people and the world I care about need

Good on you! That is what it's all supposed to be about, after all! :)

[cowboy-r.livejournal.com]

How exactly has America managed to swallow its anti-leftist rhetoric enough to stomach having us as their next-door neighbour? It's really kind of strange.

Too much work, and not enough reward to conquer.

[cowboy-r.livejournal.com]

Generally, when I date myself, I show myself a good time... some flowers, some candy, a movie....

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the War of 1812 kind of proved that, didn't it? It was a great war - everyone gets to say they won it, but when you get down to brass tacks, the Americans wanted Canada and didn't get it, so WE won. :)