Right?
Yeah, not even close. Not even in the slightest. Yet, tons and tons of people have been saying these kinds of things to me in the last couple months. Not stupid people, but people I consider pretty darned decent people, that I figured had brains, and the ability to use them. Lets start with the first one.
Not Caring About That Boring Political Shit When its Not a Huge Election Year....
This completely apathetic approach to life is rampant in the area where I live. Typically you tend to think that a local art/music/punk/indie/whatever the fuck kind of scene is going to share progressive ideals. Im not saying that what I consider progressive shoud be the end all be all of what is progressive, but I feel very dissapointed that the simple things that I believe in are often mocked and ridiculed.
One of these things has been my endoresement of Ralph Nader for President in 08. Ive already talked about this on here, so do I dont feel the need to do so again. However, I dont understand why its such a radical idea to feel that a two party political system doesnt work, and while Barack Obama is defintely the lesser of the two evils, he is not the knight in shining armor that he is made out to be. Hes not even fucking close. The fact that he supported the bailout is a prime example of this, and yet, people dont want to hear that. They see themselves as being progressive for voting for "the black guy". I honestly feel that people are patting themselves on the back because they feel they are "doing the right thing". I would love to not have a white old man as a president, and its sad that its a progressive idea nationwide to have a black president, but I vote on what is best for the country, and not because I have some kind of a guilt eating away at me. Yet, Im continually told that because this "election is so close!!" that I am wasting my time voting for somene that isnt Barrack Obama.
Which brings me, in an extremely longwinded manner, to my point. Why is this election so close, and why does it feel like the election to end all elections, and that the dark days are just behind the corner? BECAUSE WE HAVE ALLOWED IT TO BE THAT WAY. Period. Only 56 percent of Americans voted in last years election, and I would be willing to bet that only 15 percent(im rounding up, for sure) of these voters pay attention to anything when its not an election year. The truth of the matter is that one person CAN make a difference. When we only half assed pay attention to commercials for a few months and then vote, we are making a grave mistake. Political inactivity is the prime reason that we are in the mess that we are in. We dont have to be voting for something to make a difference. Honestly, if we wait for our problems to be solved by a big ticket election, we have been sitting on our hands for entirely too long. For instance, in 07 in Hamilton Co(basically the city limits of Cincinnati, Oh) Commissioner Todd Portune and a few others drafted a new Hamilton Co. Tax that would go to building a new jail. A very similar tax code was in the works in 06, and was voted down by the people in the election. However, a few things were rephrased, and it was going to be put into the books, much to the chagrin of taxpayers and voters who had voted down basically the same thing the year before. This was not on any ballot this time. Instead of bitching about it, a handful of people, including the CEO of the company that employs me, took to the streets and petitioned to get a new vote for this. They worked very hard, and got the signatures that they need. The bill was put to a vote, and the people of Hamilton Co voted it out. This was acheived soley because people were paying attention and worked hard to find a solution. Whether or not you agree with the outcome is irrelevant, the point is that we can make a large difference 24/7, 365 days a year. We dont have to wait until we are entirely fucked to do something about what feel needs to be changed. The more we sit and wait and then reward ourselves for merely accepting the lesser evil in the voting booth, the more this country is going to slip into economic and social catastrophe.
I get very frustrated when my own peers shit talk me because I dont feel that I can be complacent with a shitty choice of a new leader. Sure, as Ive said for the last 7 months, Barrack Obama is the better candidate, but that doesnt mean that I think he will be a good leader. At least he isnt Kerry though, what a waste!
Overall, I think that we need to realize that times are tough, and even though we may not be personally affected by some of these things, it doesnt mean that they dont exist, and it doesnt mean that we should only let the people directly feeling the pressure fall because no one wanted to help them. This is huge in the case of Gay Marriage and Abortion. Sure, these things dont directly affect most of us. However, if they did, we would care alot more. Just because Im not gay means I shouldnt be offended when Joe Biden and Barrack Obama, the "liberal" choices, are extremely opposed to such? No! Just because Im not a woman that has had an abortion means that I should shut up, because a womans right doesnt concern me? No! It doesnt concern me, because I love the women in my life, and I think that they have the right to decide what happens to their bodies, and because of this I will not be quiet about it.
Yet, its these things that the "punk scene"(truly, for lack of better word, I feel extremely juvenille saying those words in a forum) around me is completely apathetic to. If it doesnt concern their right to drink at the bar and watch some shitty band from upstate New York in a basement, then they could give a rats ass... This is depressing. I only mention that because it was music that truly got me on the path to self education. When I went to shows in high school, bands brought pamplets, and their lyrics spoke of things you didnt hear about in class, and you met people and had great conversations. Now it seems that those bands and people are few and far between. Hell, NOFX played a DNC event this year! I understand that they want people to participate, but they should research these things before putting their name on it!
I only hope that in making music over the years and talking to people I can get at least a handful of people to stop, look in the mirror and really think about why they are who they are, and why they believe what they believe. We all do it at some point, and sometimes, its shocking what we find out about ourselves.
Sure, just watching the newest sensation at the local cool guy dive bar is alot of fun. However, Id like a little bit of inteligence to come along with what I choose to align myself with, not just a mouthpiece telling me that I should shut up and accept what is going on. This is lazy, and overall dangerous. Its a frustrating world out there....
In any case, its been such a negative year for America. Attack ads, political pundits and talking heads bitching back and forth, its just been a mess. If you are looking to get away from it for two hours before going home and crying into your beer, then I recommend checking out the new Kevin Smith movie, Zach and Miri Make a Porno. My sides hurt when I left the theatre, and it felt great in a time when I feel that we all really need to laugh alittle before we go insane.
Those of us that care to pay attention, anyway. The blissful and willful ignorance of many of my peers must feel EXTREMELY liberating. I would be envious if I wasnt so dissappointed at the same time.
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