Book of Jamez

55 y/o malcontent, something of a writer

Tag: vote

  • America’s Crossroads: From Bush to Trump – A Call to Defend Our Freedoms

    America’s Crossroads: From Bush to Trump – A Call to Defend Our Freedoms

    In recent history I recall being worried about George W Bush getting re-elected as he was pushing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. It was a terrifying thought to me, that there was that much discrimination and hatred out in our country trying to deny me and mine our basic rights. W never did get far with his idea and maybe it wasn’t as popular as he thought.

    Now our country faces an even greater threat to freedoms. Not just freedoms for homosexuals but freedoms American’s take for granted each day. A threat to the foundation of our country a threat named Donald Trump.

    I don’t say this lightly. We’re speaking of a man who has threatened American institutions such as freedom of the press, and the electoral process. A man who has mocked and laughed at our disabled, our prisoners of war, our leaders. Someone that has made an embarrassment of himself and the country to the world stage. He’s a person that instigated a mob onto the US Capitol and threatened to hang people.

    He’s a rapist, he’s prejudiced, hateful. He’s a conman of the highest degree.

    A friend argues that he “tells it like it is” and that he’s been “railroaded”. That he’s good for America and just wants to make America great. My friend plans to vote for him and nothing I’ve argued has swayed his opinion of the man or gotten him to change his vote.

    Photo by Sachin Bharti on Pexels.com

    I fear for America, there seem to be so many people cheering on this megalomaniac that he has swept the primaries and is slated to run again in a Presidential race. This man does not care about our country, depite what his hats say. This man cares only for himself and those groveling mongrels around him… and those only to a certain degree.

    I’ve come to the conclusion these people that continue to support this evil are one of three things:

    1. Stupid – just plain simple minded idiots
    2. Conned – they have bought into his whole con hook line and sinker, they can’t see a the forest for the trees.
    3. Traitors – these are people who want a dictator in power; who decry the democracy, freedom and forward movement of our country. Who laugh at the idea of hanging our leaders in the Capitol rotunda.

    I have another friend who won’t vote for Trump, but also is not voting for Biden… she’ll cast her vote for an independent, no matter the cost to the election results. I can’t sway her either.

    Despite my fears of George W Bush winning a second term, which he did. My fear for our country, our values and our very existence at this moment is greater than I thought it would be.

    I urge you to vote in the up coming election, to look with open eyes and heart at what’s truly at stake here. Lives of people you love are in danger; hopes and dreams of many about to be lost and the stupid, conned or traitorous will just laugh as it happens.

    I HAD AI RE-WRITE THIS:

    As our nation progresses, some individuals may find that their initiatives do not gain as much traction as initially anticipated. Presently, however, we confront a more profound menace to our liberties—not merely those of the LGBTQ+ community, but the fundamental freedoms that Americans cherish daily. This threat goes by the name of Donald Trump.

    My assertion is not made lightly. We discuss a figure who has actively undermined American institutions, including the freedom of the press and the integrity of the electoral process. His disparagement extends to marginalized groups, including the disabled and prisoners of war, as well as to global leaders, tarnishing both his own reputation and that of our nation on the world stage. Furthermore, he incited an insurrection at the US Capitol, advocating violence and endangering lives.

    Trump’s record reveals him as a sexual predator, a proponent of prejudice, and a purveyor of hatred. His tenure epitomizes the epitome of a con artist.

    Despite these stark realities, some contend that he “speaks his mind” or has been unfairly targeted. They assert his purported benefits for America, unfazed by evidence to the contrary.

    This steadfast support for Trump troubles me deeply. It suggests a populace either misled, wilfully blind, or actively hostile to the principles of democracy and progress.

    In my view, those who continue to champion Trump fall into three categories:

    1. The Misguided: Individuals lacking critical insight, deceived by simplistic rhetoric.
    2. The Ensnared: Those who have fallen victim to Trump’s elaborate deceit, unable to discern truth from manipulation.
    3. The Subversives: Individuals who actively seek authoritarian rule, rejecting the core tenets of democracy and embracing chaos.

    Furthermore, I have encountered acquaintances who, while refusing to support Trump, also refuse to endorse an alternative. This indecision, while ostensibly principled, risks complicity in the erosion of our democratic values.

    Reflecting on past elections, including George W. Bush’s second term, my apprehensions for our nation’s future have only deepened. I implore each of you to exercise your right to vote in the upcoming election. Consider earnestly what hangs in the balance—lives, aspirations, and the very fabric of our society. To disregard these perils is to invite their fruition, and history will judge us harshly for our inaction.

  • A Small Rant

    I had a conversation tonight with two gentlemen I respect – well mostly I listened 😉 We were talking about how the American way apparently is to take and keep taking. It isn’t about give and take or about giving until your heart bleeds – the American way is about pleasing yourself. No more being nice, no more helping for helping sake, no more old softy. I don’t really take them seriously, we’re hurt right now after this election.

    Many people are already tired of the talking and sharing on social media and at the water coolers. This is big stuff folks and will be here until America’s Next Top Model or naked photos of some celeb show up to make us all forget – ‘Murica!

    It’s been an emotional day for me – I’m sad, mad, and scared of the future. I would like to disown some friends and my older biological sister. I would like to deport half the country.

    I’m mad at the gays for being so behind Hillary before the race even started they refused to see her as anything besides the winner. I’m mad at the Democrats for fucking Bernie Sanders (yes, they did). I’m mad at the Democrats for not recognizing that Bernie’s followers wants and needs mattered.

    My friend Randy, he’s a nut really but sometimes he has good moments, said “I don’t think this was so much “for” Trump as it was about being “against” the status quo. I think if Bernie were in the race he would have won. I think the majority of the nation wanted a Bernie, and odd as it sounds, Hillary is soooo career politician, that Donald was the closest thing to a Bernie.” and I think that hits it pretty much on the head. Many will disagree with me – that’s ok, you still have a couple of months of free speech before they take that from us.

    I voted against someone – rather something – else. I voted against Bush and Bush Beta. I voted for Bill Clinton twice, I voted for Obama, also both time. I rather liked that. It was rather nice to have something to vote for rather than against. I didn’t vote for Hillary (never really liked her, don’t have to have a reason but it has nothing to do with Bengazi or emails it’s just a feeling) rather I voted against Trump (hate, fear, intolerance, rudeness, insensitivity). (more…)

  • Voting in 2016

    I can’t remember if I ever voted when I was drinking, 18 – 23… can’t imagine why I would have bothered to. But I’ve voted in every election since I sobered up in 1994. Voted once or twice for a Republican in a local race if I thought they were the better candidate… would again too.

    This election though I don’t know if I even want to. I was very excited when Bernie was in the race – it reminded me of the hope and energy of Barack when he first launched. I wanted… I want more change in Washington and even though the road for President Obama was met with obstacle after obstacle he still got major things done that have given me opportunities I otherwise wouldn’t have. I do believe that most of the hate he faced is a race thing – they say it’s not but that’s certainly what it looks like… if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck …

    I wouldn’t vote for Trump for sure… I mean the guys a loud mouth racist… and apparently half the country wants that in a President.  He’s not the guy for me though – I like intelligent, caring people that want to move the country forward. I think he’s more of a “look at me, aren’t I cool” kind of guy… and I think the country has enough of those already. (more…)

  • Change the World

    I’m disappointed, but not surprised, by the Ferguson verdict. Why anyone is surprised that the white, rich, powerful continue to get away with murder is beyond me – this is what we’ve allowed to happen. This is the world we live in, this is the world we let happen – especially when we don’t vote.

    You want to riot in the streets, that’s great! In ten years FoxNews, CNN and the Huffington Post will do specials “Looking back on the Ferguson Riots” and maybe you’ll make it on TV and have your 15 minutes. Want to loot and look like sports fans that start fires and turn over cars in the streets… yeah, that’s great TV stuff too feel free.

    But do you want real change? Do you want to feel real justice in this great country of ours? Then VOTE, get your friends to VOTE, get your family to VOTE.

    Vote out the rich old white dudes who’ve been elected 20 times and don’t change anything. Vote out the rich corporations that pay those old rich white dudes to cater to them. Vote out the lie spewing people at every level of government, make a difference, let your voice be heard.

    White, rich, religious men and women have all the power in this country. If you want change it isn’t about rioting and talking to Anderson Cooper on TV, it’s about changing the world. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results – did the Rodney King riots change the status quo? Did the George Zimmerman verdict change the law?

    Let this be the last time this happens in our country, let the people REALLY speak and change it. But that requires action on our part, that requires us to make this change happen…

    But we’re Americans: lazy, uninspired, freedom lovers… so it won’t change at all.

  • Why We Should Vote

    I’m going to try to write this without expressing my desires for you to vote for any particular candidate, yes it would be nice if you voted for the correct person, but it’s really just important to vote.

    In 2008:

    • 56% of the population (eligible voters) actually went out and voted.
    • 49% of eligible young people (18 – 24) voted
    • 69% of people 45 and older voted

    You should also know that:

    almost half of the people in congress are millionaires.  

    There are 362 Men and only 76 Women in the House

    There are 17 Women and 83 Men in the Senate

    • 44 of these folks are Black
    • 27 are Hispanic
    • 9 are Asian
    • and 1 is American Indian

    The average age of our representatives is 60

    Yes, young people, us old people want you kids to get off our lawns.

    I know you’re thinking, that’s nice Jamez but why should I care who voted that shit doesn’t matter. Lets stop and think about what these elected officials get to decide about you, your rights, your money, your wants and needs. The people of the government, not just the President and not just congress but all of them together get to

    change the speed limit, change the drinking age, increase  or lower your taxes, go to war, land use, property taxes, change which lightbulbs are made, keep your medical information private (HIPPA), the FDA approves drugs, how much time you get off for pregnancy, how much you get paid for overtime, your roads and the roads all over the country, your taxes and taxes of people not like you at all, the safety of your … (car, school, job, hospital)… the list goes on and on this site Government is Good will show you your average day and how government was there.

    If you don’t vote then you don’t really get a say in what goes on in this country. Sure you can whine about it, that’s the American way anymore. But if you want things to change you have to stand up this year and vote.

    But here’s the key, be informed, don’t take any political ad that you see on TV, the internet or a newspaper as fact – my opinion is that all politicians can stretch the truth like you wouldn’t believe. And remember, just because your friend posted it on Facebook doesn’t make it true either… Find a nonpartisan (that means: not biased or partisan, esp. toward any particular political group) website like Vote Smart or PolitiFact and research the person you’re thinking about voting for. Don’t have a closed mind about this, try to think about real issues they believe in, not just whether they drink the same soda as you or have hipper clothes.

    Look back at the top of this post where I breakdown the demographics of Congress, are those the type of people you want making decisions that affect not only our Nation but the world at large and even those closest around us.

    I say again, VOTE it can really make a difference.