Without Political Correctness

I've had to think about this for quite some time now. Kris and I decided to discuss, albeit to the possible detriment of our six readers, politics and their various themes/veins. Unlike many of the political opponents who are currently bombarding Texas with annoying and crappy ads (even a blatant plea pre-recorded and played back on my answering machine!), I plan on simply addressing many issues that we as voters should concern ourselves with. If you don't, you will die. In seven days. Okay, that last few parts are a lie. Voter knowledge is important and perhaps a healthy dose of self discovery.

So who is the best candidate for you to vote for? Most popular? Perhaps, to buck the system, a new candidate to bring about change? Or, that third party candidate that doesn't have a snowball's chance just because that's the super cool (not popular, but cool in a different way) thing to do? In my super smart days when I was 19, I knew everything as most 19 year olds do. I voted for the popular person, being that lemming and going with whoever was going to win. Two years later, garnered with even more knowledge and experience, I voted for not the popular person, but the person who basically gave lip service. In short, I totally misunderstood the concept of an informed voter. I took the easy way out, looking for flow charts and comparisons in the popular magazines they sell at the check-out aisles. After a lenghty discussion with a former golf student of mine (cheers to you Madi!), she proved to me that politics knows no boundaries and anyone willing to delve into it can learn more about candidates. As I learned more about the candidates, I discovered more about myself: what I wanted in a candidate and issues that I favored and opposed.

So what issues do I favor? I have to really think about this for quite some time. It may seem selfish, but I favor issues that affect me and mine. Not just my family and friends, but my corner of the universe. Are their important issues that are worldly? Absolutely. But the circle of responsibility starts small and works its way outwards. So as you go through this humble and quite personal exposition, bear in mind that this is a reflection of my circle.

Education
I doubt I can say enough about education. It truly is what drives a modern society. With the advent of internet and information being available at the fingertips, the learning process has taken quite a turn from traditional learning (that's why you're reading this, right?). Education, in my humble opinion, lays the foundation for our future, our caretakers. Ever wonder how to mold the ultimate society? Hitler knew how: form schools that taught his doctrine. Education is key to society. How does Kim Jong-Il manages his "people"? He controls the information that comes in to the people; basically, only his propaganda is available to the public. Now those are two not so gleaming examples of how education plays a role in society, but take a free society. The quality of schools can be outstanding, being a product of the hard work and tutelage of dedicated teachers. So what's the deal with politics and education? Well, politics affects education with cuts or mandates or law changes. All of these affects teachers and students. And parents. And taxpayers. And the citizens of that population. Such as anything out there, a dominio effect from one seemingly inoccuous action trickles down and bleeds onto the very fabric that makes up our daily lives. Don't believe me? Ask a teacher about No Child Left Behind Act. You may be surprised to hear the variety of responses from those on the front lines. Ask the kids about students in their class. You may be surprised to hear about the variety of students in a class and what it takes to pass a class or a grade. Education is a foundation for society, period. If you don't believe a word I just wrote, then at least thank an educator for teaching you how to read.

Economy
The O'Jays sang about "For the Love of Money" and what a man would do for the almighty dollar. Reality TV exploits this with Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? and Moment of Truth. Do things, do things, bad things...yeah, we do that. So what about politics and money? The government can and does so many things regularly that affects our income, taxes, interest rates, loans, jobs, etc. Take your pick. Whether it's earning, spending, or saving, our government's movment controls it. The short of this? Politics and their stances take hold in certain areas that in one or two steps affects our money. Hell, my money and yours too. Our nice little economic stimulus package coming this summer? Well, there may be more there than what has been told upfront. One has to wonder where this $168 billion is coming from. Hmmm... I'm not going to rant on about economy because, well, I can't. I still need to inform myself (gotta love education!) on that facts of the package. Will I spend it? Yeah, we need a new car. But that was already in the plans before the package.

Immigration
I live in Texas, do I need to say anything else? Okay. There is obviously more to this. For the record, I'm the product of importation: I was born in Thailand many moons ago, the product of a native mother and GI Dad. I was fortunate that I wasn't privy to the necessary steps required to obtain US citizenship. It was my birthright because of my father. But what of the Mexcians, Cubans, Africans, Middle Easterners that come to our country every day?

I have my opinion on this. I love our diversity. I don't think that "My America" should lose her identity due to a watering down infusion of excessive immigration. But then, what is "My America"? I grew up four houses away from Claudia, a Mexican lady who used to baby sit us and did some laundry. Across the street was a retired couple, Polish or French I believe, that had a wonderful garden filled with aromatic seasons and vegetables. My French neighbor put up our regular and tire swing on the thirty-foot tall limb in the back yard. My in-laws, with all their wonderful Polish quirkiness, have some of the most filling food and thrilling stories that meander around the wonderfulness of nothingness. "My America" is the product of that which I may very well be fighting: diversity. I had a conversation about this a few weeks ago, and the one unintentionally trite argument was "I don't want us to lose our identity." His contention, in that other cultures celebrate their own heritage here (Mexicans = Fiesta; Chinese = Lunar New Years; Irish = St. Patrick's Day; etc.) but what of America's? We do have 4th of July and Thanksgiving, but aside from that, I am not quite sure what about our culture we can preserve. I like the diversity. I like believing in freedom of speech. I think my friend's point was the frustration of being politically correct. Here in Texas, a variety (in fact all) public signage and pamphlets are produced in English and Spanish.

Okay. I wrote some more. Be back later to finish!