Disclaimer: I'm not entirely comfortable posting this to my blog, but I've decided to put it up anyway--maybe just for a while. This is the post I wrote about here, when I was trying to decide if it would be wise to discuss my (admittedly only partially informed) political opinions on my blog for all to read. I tend to process my thoughts as I write, so please read this more as my political musings than my definitive opinion on George W. Bush and our government.
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I just don't quite know what to make of our nation's current President. I voted for George Bush twice. (I know, many of you are probably going into cardiac arrest right now.) I don't hate him. I feel grateful to have a President that has strong convictions and isn't wishy-washy. The other side of that coin is that I find that I can't watch his addresses. I have to change the channel when he comes on - partly because I can't bear to watch or listen to his apparent lack of charisma, and partly because I sense an underlying defensiveness in his tone, and that disturbs me. People who are defensive on a regular basis make me uncomfortable.
As an American, I think I do feel safer now than I did five years ago because of all the homeland security measures that have been taken. On the other hand, I have never felt so hated by other nations. (I was living in Spain as the war on Iraq was starting, and the anti-American sentiment was impossible to miss.) I think America will always be hated in many parts of the world because we are a rich and powerful nation (never mind the fact that we are benevolent in terms of financially supporting many of them). We have power and resources, and we have the right to defend ourselves. However, I don't believe that our power and resources give us the right to do whatever we want in the world. I don't think we should act as a country in a way that seeks to gain the approval of other nations. Still, it would be nice to be looked upon as a hero nation (ie. post WW II) again, and not as a bully nation the way so much of the world views us now.
For me, this issue is really not a partisan thing. Some of my views are more conservative and some more liberal. I just would like to feel a greater sense of integrity at the heart of our government. The pessimist in me is sighing. The optimist believing that we will one day have that again. The realist in me honestly wondering what in the world we're coming to as a nation.
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7 comments:
I don't know if I will ever 100% back a politician. But I do know that my views do not follow a 2 party system. Everything isn't black or white.
Thank you for posting this.
You know Tracy, I feel the same and wonder the same thing. I think today I'm going to feel hopeful. And not watch the news to shake my confidence ;)
couldn't agree with you more. on it all
The reason that we are not looked at as a hero nation, is because even when we are helping other countries we are doing it to further our own agenda. Not just to be nice or because we think it's the right thing to do.
And When George Bush talks....it's a freakin train wreck!!! To me, it's a shame that other countries see THAT as our leader and voice! SCARY!!! No wonder they hate us! I'd hate us too!!!
I'm glad that you felt safe enough to post your views. I know you've been struggling with whether to do that or not. :) I'm more in line with Jenn, I think, from reading her comment, but let me tell you, that one aspect of being open minded is being open to hearing all kinds of different opinions. I've respected that about you, and you hearing all different opinions as you read the various blogs. :)
These are hard times and one of the hardest things about them is the fact that our country has changed so much since WWII -- indeed, since 9/11. You are giving it intelligent thought, and that is the most important thing. To think about it and weigh the evidence and decide for yourself.
Hey, I'm glad you posted this. You're speaking to the center, which from my lefty perspective is a wonderful thing!
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