USS Clueless: Earth to Timi

I'm really starting to despise politics. That statement is a bit amiss because I have my degree in Political Science & I spent most of the weekend volunteering for the state Democratic Party. I've never been more bored with handing out campaign flyers & pins ever before in life. I used to love doing this stuff while in college. I don't know what has caused the change of heart. However, I do know that if I have to hand our another flyer, another pin, stump for another politician or make another phone call, then I'm going to go nuts.

On Church & Politics

Following church this morning, a fellow parishioner inquired about my voting decision. On any other day, I would've told him who I planned to vote for. However today, I didn't. In fact, I was rather offended by him asking. The offense took place, not in his asking, but how he went about asking me. He said, "You aren't voting for those faggot loving democrats are you?" I was so offended by what he said. He wasn't inquiring about my decision, instead, he was trying to influence my decision. I don't like that. I have a severe disdain for Christians who try to use guilt to influence others to vote.

I am a Christian who firmly believes that should be a separation between the church & the state. This is why I have issues with Democrats who infiltrate black churches during election season. I have issues with Pastors who allow this as well. I have issues with religious Conservatives who make statements like "It's a grave sin to vote for anyone except Bush." IT'S A GRAVE SIN THAT YOU JUST LIED TO YOUR PEOPLE! Why do churches, that are heavily involved in politics, recieve tax exemptions? That really should not be. A person be influenced to vote based on the issues in his/her community & the issues that are affecting them personally....not because of some wacky religious agenda. I really believe that God looks down on us & gets the best laughs.

On Voter Turnout

Someone has to be the killjoy, so I've decided that I'll take on that role. I'm sick of vote or die campaigns. I'm sick of them because I really do not believe that they will serve the purpose intended. There's one thing to get a bunch of knuckeheads registered to vote. It's another thing to get these kids out to actually vote. This is fallacy of Vote or Die (or any other campaign geared toward the youth generation). I commend the efforts of the people running these campaigns to encourage young people (especially young black people) to register to vote, but what's going to happen on election day? Are their going to be buses waiting in the hood to take these young folks to the polls? You've seen the tragedies happening in the hood. You've seen David Banner show you his hood & home with no running water on tv. You've heard the young people talk about how tough their life is. What are you going to do about that?

I believe the answer in simple. Absolutely nothing. The same complacency that existed prior to the voter registration is going to be present on election day. Maybe I'll be proven wrong. Maybe I won't. One thing remains true. That is, the real issue is not in getting these kids to register to vote (although that is VERY important), the real creme de la creme is getting these kids to the polls so that they can vote. Until then, I'm calling the bluff.

Complacency is our biggest issue. And it doesn't help when you hear folks say things like, "Bush already won, so why vote?" This discourages people from voting. When one believes that his vote will count for anything, then he's not going to vote. We have to get out of that kind of thinking.

On Hood Politics

Bush nor Kerry can't turn your neighborhood into Disney Land. Your 'hood is not the President's problem. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but it's true. The problems in your community can not be fixed by the President of the United States. If a candidate tells you that he can fix your community, then you shouldn't vote for him because he just lied to your face. Your community's problems are to be dealt with by your CITY COUNCIL (ward, township...whatever you call it). This is why you hire these people. This is why district representation exists...so that the voices of the people can be heard in City Council. You don't elect these people just to have them sit in city hall collecting nice paychecks. That actually have a job that they're supposed to do.

So blame the City Council for your community's woes. Blame the mayor as well, because he has the ability to bring about change as well. The mayor is elected to deal with issues such as urban deterioration. If your city's elected officials aren't making working to make your life better, then you need to vote for somebody who will.

Final Thoughts

Please be certain that you will be content with your vote on Tuesday. You can't change your vote once it's complete. As for myself, I'm more content that ever before. I believe that my vote will make a difference. I hope that you believe the same.