Don’t petition the White House, Use Change.org

Nov 18, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

Secessionists. I first want to say thank you for finally learning something from history. The last time so many desired to rid themselves of a tyrannical president they declared war on the Union. Thus, your use of a peaceful means through petitions on the White House’s site is commendable. Furthermore, each state now finds themselves represented by a petition and signatures from people possibly wanting to secede from the United States. Texas leads the way with more than 100,000 people asking the White House to address the issue. This is the same state governed by Rick Perry who drummed up his base of supporters with calls for seceding prior to his Republican bid for President. The irony seemed lost on him. Governor Perry is obviously not a viable option to lead the cause. He hardly put up a fight against a weak group seeking his party’s nomination. I also question...

The Country Moved to the Left Last Night

Nov 7, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

The whole campaign season did not just depend upon the presidential race that finally came to an end last night. Yes, the country voted clearly to give Barack Obama another four years in the White House. He received more than 50 percent of the vote and won handily in the electoral college. Yet, it is what happened down the ballot that shows the nation’s move toward progressive values. It appears that Democrats will pick up a couple seats in the lower chamber but the real change happened on the senatorial level. Voters said no way to Republicans Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock after they attempted to scapegoat women and downplay the trauma of rape and sexual abuse. Furthermore, women won in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Wisconsin for their first terms. All four of them will be more progressive legislators than their predecessors. In Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin will be the...

Republicans, Rape, Life, and Control of Women

Oct 24, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

During last night’s Indiana Senate debate the Republican candidate, Richard Mourdock, did more than stick his foot in his mouth. I believe life begins at conception. The only exception I have for to have an abortion is in the case of the life of the mother. I struggled with myself for a long time but I came to realize life is that gift from God, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape. It is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock joined a club made exclusively of Republicans but a club that seems to be growing as the November election nears. Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh made a reprehensible comment about exceptions for the life of the mother following his debate. “There is no such exception. With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance.” Complete crap as this woman explains. Of course who can forget Missouri...

Three Weeks to Go.

politics

Oct 16, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

The second Presidential debate, in a townhall style, airs tonight as we enter the final three weeks of election season. The entire battle feels like an eternity in some cases as the Republican primary geared up last year about this time. It featured Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Rick Perry, and of course the nominee Mitt Romney. Since then Romney’s conservatism evaporated heading into the first debate two weeks ago. We should not find anything new in this 180 because Romney is famous for his constant shifts on the issues.

On the other hand we have Barack Obama. Over the last 45 months he has accomplished a great deal of good and also continued policies that I believe harm us in the long-term. The idealism that his campaign marketed in 2007 and 2008 evaporated as well. It happened shortly after he took office and refused to acknowledge that Republicans would never ever work with him. Sadly, he kept trying to impress them and give into their demands despite them shifting the goal-line after every maneuver. I often heard people compare him to Charlie Brown and his inability to learn that Lucy would never let him kick the football.

Yet, here we sit. Three weeks out from casting our ballots for people who will decide future policies that will benefit and/or harm us. A few might say that voting does not matter. The two parties are the same. We are doomed no matter what. Well Samuel L. Jackson has a few things to say about that!

The election does matter. Not just the one at the top of the ballot. The races further down impact our daily lives too. The cast of West Wing joined together once again in a video to highlight the importance of down ballot races. It helps that the candidate behind the video has a famous sister (Mary McCormack). But the point of the video stil stands – each race matters on issues of civil rights, taxes, jobs, Social Security, or even your garbage collection.

So, watch the debate tonight, despite the fact that both campaigns are demanding that Candy Crowley not ask follow up questions. But also begin the process of learning about the local elections. Figure out the issues and where the candidates stand. Congress, state senate, state house, county board, judges… all of them. They matter more than you know.