A Minority Report

After Tuesday’s vote, I learned that I fell outside two demographic groups, making me something of an anomaly.

The Los Angeles Times’ political blog, “Top of the Ticket” ran the number of Democratic women in California who voted for Senator Clinton (52%) as compared to Senator Obama, and the number of Democratic Latinos who voted for her (61%). A higher than usual turnout by women and Latinos has been credited with giving Senator Clinton a win in California.

I am a Mexican-American woman who voted for Senator Obama and apparently, was in the minority in my choice of candidates. It got me thinking. Why didn’t I fit with my groups, both women and Mexican-Americans and other Latinos? Could I be that weird?

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Johnny, I’m Going to Miss You

As I feared, Corporate Media had their way, so I won’t even have the opportunity to vote for my candidate.

Over the past several months I watched with wonder as I witnessed the major networks’ systematic trivialization of John Edward’s campaign. Ridiculed as “vain” or “angry” or “rich” or “irrelevant” by foolish reporters who didn't know enough about history to even understand how fundamental American rights have been eroded, or how far we have traveled from basic protections our society used to afford us - even as recently as a decade ago.

John Edwards was the only candidate who had done battle with corporate giants and won. Of course Corporate America didn't want to see Edwards become the Democratic candidate.

Well, John, thank you for running.

Thank you for championing the causes of the middle class, and the working poor. Thank you for pushing for a universal health plan. 

This election may represent the last opportunity for all of us to reclaim the promise made by the framers of our United States Constitution. The real issue of this election is not the economy or the war or immigration or even the environment. While these are all vital issues and will determine how we will live out our lives, what is actually at stake is the survival of our democracy as an entity owned by “We the People.”

It is up to us to take back our country and demand a return to the “rule of law” where all citizens are bound by a set of clearly defined and accepted laws.

This rule of law is manifested in an independent judiciary, a free press, and a system of checks and balances on leaders through free elections, and separation of powers among the branches of government.

The continued erosion of these basic principles threatens our social order and our civil rights far more than whether a Mexican national climbs over that ridiculous corrugated wall down at “Friendship Park”; or whether we are allowed to continue destroying an entire country that did not attack us first; or whether corporations systematically continue to outsource our labor force and sell our country to the highest bidder; or whether we pay more attention to celebrity sightings than we do to the catastrophic evidence of global warming.

“We the People” means all of us - you and me.

Somehow we have to navigate the political waters of sound bytes, intimidation, blatant misinformation, and election fraud to decipher which candidate truly possesses the combination of ability, instinct, and integrity.  

 
- Candace Suerstedt is a filmmaker and a mother of three who lives in Coronado.

“I’m a Republican. Gasp!”

Jack Bauer for President!  What?  He’s not running?  Dang!  Well, maybe he will be tomorrow.  After all, a lot can happen in 24 hours…

Before I reveal my political slant, I want you to know that I’m open-minded and would love to hear YOUR thoughts.  Feel free to present your case.  As long as you don’t call me a fat, ugly cow I’ll listen.  No need to insult the cows.  The end of my blog should be the beginning of a fun discussion!

My editor asked me: “If the election were tomorrow, who would you vote for?”  My vote today goes to Mitt Romney.  I’m really interested in Ron Paul; however, I fear my vote would be wasted.  I don’t think he’ll win the primary and I want to make sure we get a strong candidate who has a fighting chance against the powerful Democrat Machine.

Yeah, you heard me…I’m a Republican. Gasp!

I like that Romney has shown leadership and accomplishments in both private enterprise and public service.  He sees a problem and fixes it, while his counterpart career-politicians sit around debating or throwing money at it.  He built a hugely successful company and turned around the 2002 Olympics, which faced financial crisis before his arrival.  Our country is in need of rescue again.

A recent poll shows that concern about our economy tops the list of important issues for both Democrats and Republicans.  Romney balanced the Massachusetts budget every year as governor and has a sound understanding of economics.  America is clamoring for change and Romney appears to know how to make it happen.  

I like Romney’s stance on immigration, health care and education - just three of my hot buttons.  There is so much more for us to talk about, but I’ve been told to keep this blog short or else I’ll be shot. (Editor's note: I never said I would shoot them. I said I would meet them in the back alley of KPBS.)

We have some fascinating months ahead of us.  The general election isn’t tomorrow, but we San Diegans have the opportunity to submit a primary vote and send a message to the rest of the country next Tuesday.  Let your voice be heard!

If you judge a person by his “fruits” then Romney looks ripe for the presidency. And who do I think Romney’s running-mate should be? Jack Bauer, of course.

 
-Trina Boice is an author and mother of four who lives in Carlsbad.

Ralph Wiggum (I-Springfield) for President

If the presidential election were held tomorrow, I would vote for Ralph Wiggum (I-Springfield).  I do not expect him to win, and if he does win, I do not know how the  Supreme Court would rule on the constitutionality of an animated character holding elected office.

But practicality does not change the primary reason for the vote: None Of The Above is not a choice on my ballot.

I consider myself a little “l” Libertarian.  I believe in personal responsibility and minimal government interference in personal lives. That said, there are some positions where personal character takes precedence over agreeing with my policy views.  I want a president who I believe has good instincts for deciding the issues that haven't yet appeared. 

'Change' has become a popular word during the campaign so far. All the mainstream candidates seem to agree that change is good.

Despite the attraction of fiscal conservatism, the social nanny-statism of the Republican candidates is too much to take. While crying out for change, they seem to be racing to capture the evangelical vote to the exclusion of all others and in co-opting whatever goodwill President Bush has left by ratifying his most egregious mistakes.

Change appears to be nothing but a word about reprinting the letterhead to reflect a new regime, not a change in policy or direction. 

The Democratic candidates talk about change too. I have no doubt there would be change, at least in rhetoric, under a democratic administration. The two frontrunners as reported in national polls - Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - have conspicuous gaps in their careers as far as actually attempting to implement change. One notable example in my opinion is the issue involving the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy regarding homosexual service members.  Both candidates claim to oppose the policy, yet neither has introduced legislation to repeal the policy in the Senate.  

By voting for Mr. Wiggum, I know what I'm voting for.  A caricature whose personality has been molded and crafted by groups over the years based on ratings and consumer feedback. A fictional entity with no pretense toward free will or independent decision-making ability.  I'm voting for a cardboard cutout and if he wins I'll get a cardboard cutout for president.  That might not be much different than what I'd get if I voted for one of the other candidates, but my cardboard cutout will be here by choice, not by pretense and market research.

By voting for Ralph, win or lose, I also get what I want, which is to say loud and clear to the Republican and Democratic parties that enough is enough. This country deserves real leaders who can honestly debate issues, and have worked during their public careers to honestly address issues. The United States does not deserve to have someone as president just because they've avoided being pinned down on the controversial issues of the day.  That kind of track record does not lend itself toward honestly confronting controversial issues while in office and cannot earn my support.