Wednesday, June 01, 2016

The Mediocre Middle

Sometimes when I write, I paint myself in a corner; and I don't know how to get out of it.
"Let me be the best of the worst, or the last of the first, but God save me from the Mediocre middle!" - me
Recently I made a remark which prompted an interesting response in the comments:






Trumps support for the 2nd Amendment is just a pose. He's not "for" the 2nd; he's "against Hillary".
BloggerArcher said...
Whatever position she takes, he takes the diametrically opposite political position.That's a dangerously risky (yes, I know that's redundant) way to run a campaign.It's very simple: By setting himself up to be the polar opposite of his opponent, The Donald is letting Hillary set his position on everything. Hillary's campaign could capitalize on that, if she or her advisers are clever enough.
May 31, 2016 4:37 PM

I must (reluctantly) agree

The Good Lord knows I hate politics, and I detest politicians; anyone who actively seeks public office is obviously unqualified.  But there are times when you just have to do the best you can with your single vote.  What do you do when you face the prospect of choosing between two extreme candidates, and you despise them both?

And has there ever been a more polarizing Presidential Election?

We are faced with choosing between the Queen of Lies, and the King of Kerfuffle.   Neither is qualified, neither is appealing (except to radicals on both sides of the political spectrum), so what are those of us who are not willing to vote the Straight Party Ticket to do?

We can vote our conscience, but my conscience dislikes both of them.

TRUMP: an obvious opportunist whose radical view on civil rights are suspect at best ... but 'claims' to support the Second amendment.

CLINTON: a radical liberal who is making political hay on her promise to impose radical Gun Control measures.

Who do we believe? 

I believe Clinton:  Yes she DOES want to 'take our guns away".
Not by deleting the 2nd amendment, but by undermining constitutional affirmations such as the Heller decision (which affirms the right of simple firearms possession to Americans.).

No, I do not believe Trump's promise to protect the Second Amendment, because he's just another arrogant asshole who seeks office for personal aggrandizement.  (Oh, aren't they all?)

Bottom Line is ...

We know that Hillary has made a campaign promise which she WILL make good, if elected.

We think hope that Trump is sincere in his support for the Constitution, and since Liberal Democrats (I'm pretty sure there are two or three of them in America) are against that particular Amendment, the choice seems to be a "no-brainer'.

But does Trump truly intend to  protect the Second Amendment?  (Tump releases his plan)

If we are reduced to believing the promises of a Presidential Candidate, we are screwed.

Sometimes, it seems that the best vote we can register, is not to vote at all.  This is true, at least, if we have no confidence in our candidates.




How about a nice game of chess?

LATER:

Politics is a game, but abdicating the responsibilities of citizenship is NOT the way to play it.

The best you can do is to vote your conscience.  Win, lose or draw ... it's important that you make your voice heard.   Refusing to vote is the very worst option in Politics.

It's better, to vote and let it be seen that your opinion may not agree with whatever the 'popular' vote, than to allow the perception that your opinion doesn't count even to yourself.

Remember the 2000 elections, and the "Hanging Chad".


5 comments:

Mark said...

While I would rather see a more qualified candidate than Trump, the scales tip crazily toward him when you think of more years of a democrat or of the idiot socialist in the white house.

Archer said...

Not to be a pain in the ass again, but....

I'm voting third party. Probably the Constitution Party.

I can't in good conscience vote for Trump. Nor can I in good conscience vote for Hillary. I find both options morally repugnant.

I believe that Oregon is going to go to Hillary or Sanders; whoever the Democrats put up will win the Beaver State. It doesn't matter how you or I vote; Multnomah County simply has too many liberal wackos who want to "Keep Portland Weird". Thus, a vote for Trump is, in my mind, just as much a "throwaway" vote as a third party vote, so why not appease my conscience with a third party?

Just my $0.02. YMMV.

Anonymous said...

Just hoping that Trump DOES build that wall and makes Mexico pay for it.

Jerry The Geek said...

Yes, Oregon is definitely a Blue State and will vote for the Democratic Candidate (whomever she> is).

I stomach Trump with only nominally less indigestion than Hillary. The Republican vote in Oregon is still important if only to make a statement that there are still Oregonians who believe in the Constitution.

It's only a still, small squawk of outrage.

At least we'll be able to say "I Didn't Vote For Her!"

Archer said...

The Republican vote in Oregon is still important if only to make a statement that there are still Oregonians who believe in the Constitution.

Quite right. That's why I will not be voting for Donald Trump in November. Oregon's electoral college votes will go to the Blue candidate; there's no point in voting for Trump unless you believe in Trump (which by definition means you don't believe in the Constitution; he's indicated he'll be every bit as "rule by fiat" as Obama, if not more). The Libertarian Party is a joke (as you pointed out in an above post).

That's why I'm leaning (but not 100% committed yet) toward the Constitution Party.