I Am An Angry Voter
April 14, 2008 by Joshua Davis
I am an angry voter. I worry that a McCain or Clinton administration will continue the same Washington politics that are destroying our nation. Like politicians getting free vacations trips to tropical destinations for signing free trade deals at the request of lobbyists.
There are many blacks like me that share this same anger, and even bitterness. Some blue collar workers might look at some blacks as lazy, destructive people on welfare and wonder why we’re surprised Wal-Mart won’t open and bring employment opportunities in black neighborhoods. And then some blacks might look at the white male factory worker as getting what he deserves, because for past generations he had a free “white male” card.
But in the end the white father and the black father are both angry when they find it hard to place food on the table. Whether as Americans, they scrape money from the grandparents or from the federal government, the shame of not being able to provide for your own family creates anger at the system.
But the media (which is funded by corporations) and selfish politicians are seeking to divide Americans that are affected by the same failed economic policies, so that they can rake in more money and profits. They’re creating “voter outrage” of Barack Obama’s “bitter” comments.
His statement was intended to help a group of elitist California fund raisers understand what the unemployed American feels. Every election cycle presidents and senators pose against shuttered factories and promise jobs. And the January after each election cycle we see more American jobs sent to places like Asia and South America.
The Washington and corporate establishment is scared that a candidate has finally called politicians on their economic BS. The establishment is worried that blue collar America and urban America might realize our economic issues are the same. If Americans are able to look past the small differences that separate us, and exercise our right to make America a better place, corrupt politicians and companies looking at short term and selfish gains will be forced to change or leave.
Bitter is not a bad word. I am “Marked by resentment or cynicism” as the dictionary says, when it comes to politics. When watching you, your family, your community, and your country slowly dieing because of irresponsible decision making, it is no shame to be a bitter voter.
Cross posted at my personal site.
[...] I Am An Angry Voter : Think Youth | Progressive News and Opinion from America’s Youth [...]
It was unfortuneate that white people had a “card” which made them have a advantage.. But cant the same anger be shown by white people that african americans get the “affirmative action card”?
[Reply]
Well, I’m angry too. I’m mad as hell, and I just won’t take it anymore! Of course, I’m not angry about quite the same things that you are, because you are an Obama supporter and I am not. Mike Gravel for President, I say, even though that outcome is pretty much impossible by this point. But, Gravel’s a good fellow, and he’s made the Washington and corporate establishment scared that a candidate has finally called politicians on their economic BS.
NAFTA? Gravel says, ‘ Get rid of it! It’s losing us jobs and hurting the workers!’
Our Income Tax system which hurts the poor and middle class more and the rich and corporations less? Gravel proclaims, ‘Scrap it immediately! Let’s rid ourselves of this IRS and institute a fairer tax system!’
Spending our money on military and wars rather than on education and healthcare? Gravel cries indignantly, ‘That’s ridiculous! We should have a good, truly universal healthcare system, and make education priority number ONE! Education is the ticket to a better life for everyone; we should fund our education system from preschool to PhD level!’
Gravel further recites, ‘The people should have the power to vote on all of the issues that affect their lives.’ Don’t like the economic policies that we have now? Vote to enact the National Initiative for Democracy, and then the People can vote on any economic issues that are assembled on the ballot. And, presumably, people will vote against economic policies which hurt them.
If you’re really angry, if you’re really as mad as hell, if you really are sick and tired of false promises from politicians, if you really are tired of nothing ever changing, what then? I hope that Barack Obama works out for you, I honestly do, but in my heart of hearts I feel that he will not be able to deliver on his promises.
Why not vote for a fellow who has been through hard times and been bankrupt himself? Mike Gravel. Why note vote for someone who wants the People to decide on all of the issues affecting their lives (including economic), via national referendum? Mike Gravel. It’s just a suggestion. I know that you probably won’t take it, but there it is.
And, as a last note, hopefully there won’t be any race riots incited here at Think Youth. That would be…unfortunate and silly.
[Reply]
Koko
If you read the whole post you’d see I addressed some of the issues blue collar workers feel angry with including government food stamps and all that stuff. The point of this post was to show we should look past these issues and vote for the man or woman we think will best fix the ecconomy.
Elizibeth
I wanted to see a Kucinich adminstration, because I felt better about him. I don’t know much about Gravel, but I know he’s to the right of me, and that he joined the libertarian party, whose views I mostly disagree with.
And don’t worry, I don’t hold those views of blue collar workers, and I know many don’t hold them of me, I was just trying to illustrate the small difernces that divides us.
[Reply]