Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Hopey Changitude

That was snarky, but I really wanted to use it.

Whew.  A huge election, and I'm glad it's over.  My guy (and girl) didn't win, and we'll have a new president in a couple of months. I do think it's amazing that we have a Black president, but I have to say I always thought he'd be a conservative in the David Palmer mold rather than a socialist, I mean a very liberal guy.

On that front, I'm sad about a few things.  First, he is relentlessly pro-abortion.  I used to be kind of agnostic about this issue, but I've come to see that every baby is a gift.  (And the psychological effects of abortion on the women who have them is a tragically under-reported phenomenon.) It is heartbreaking to me to think of the loss of life that will continue under an Obama presidency.  Second, he hasn't looked to be a friend of Israel.  They are the only (soon to be one of two) democracy in the Middle East and they are a good ally.  Third, I think he has very poor judgment, in friends and mentors, even little decisions like whether to appear on Access Hollywood. That worries me, but it also just makes me feel kind of sad.

No matter what, this untested young president will need our prayers.  I hope after four years we can say he's still untested, but I know in my heart that won't happen.  And so it's time to get on with our lives.  I told DH yesterday that no matter what, from now on I'm keeping a closer eye on things, and I'm going to try to be more active in shaping what happens.  We owe it to the country to take the time to do that.

On that front, I'm going to say something about the DISGUSTING local elections here.  We have a terrible school board in charge of a pretty good school system here.  In fact, the system is top-notch, but that is in spite of rather than because of the board and county-level leadership.  The board has built not one but two schools that aren't needed, in areas that aren't viable for schools, and has engaged in other "land-investment" practices.  In fact, one board member has actually made a lot (high six, low seven figures) of money on some of these land deals through her developer-husband.  The state needs to investigate this situation but it takes a lot of work to get their attention.  

Back in the summer she and the other board members were all re-elected to their positions through the primary system.  ONE WEEK after that election the board came out with the fact that they need a SPLOST to keep the paraprofessionals in the classroom.  Nevermind that the bloated county administrator payroll could be cut, that the county could quit speculating on land, and that they could put a sensible technology program in place.  They needed the money.  AND THE SPLOST passed.  The stupid, stupid electorate (normally I have more resprect but not this time) allowed the board to bully them with presentations threatening the teachers' jobs, threatening the sacrosanct test scores, threatening the competitiveness of the real estate market here that has benefitted from the high-scoring school system.  The county voted to give them more money even though they can't take care of what they have.

Yes, I'm mad.  And isn't it interesting that politicians at all levels are just alike--can't take care of what they have, they just need a little or a lot more to make things all better.  We get the government we deserve.

3 comments:

ZipperTPartee said...

Cheryl, sometimes I wish that you would stop beating around the bush and just come out and say what you think, wink wink. All I have to say about the election is to paraphrase something that I think Ben Franklin said about giving up some of your freedom for security and ultimately you will have neither. We need to be diligent about things that MATTER, the most important being abortion. Many of the problems in the world today are directly related to the millions of abortions performed. This has devalued life and caused much horror and ambivalence in the world.

ZipperTPartee said...

Join the NRA, the second amendment is as important as the first amendment. Most people don't seem to understand that it is designed to keep a tyrannical government in check. Obama is not a second amendment fan. Check your own facts about gun ownership and right to carry, the media does not give them to you. For real information read John Lott "More Guns Less Crime" or any of the founding documents (federalist papers).

ZipperTPartee said...

There is a huge difference between stupid, inconsiderate snarkiness (isn't that a great word)and well thought out, intelligent snarkiness. In the short duration of our blog relationship I would put you in the latter category, Cheryl. As a Lutheran maybe you could check into reinstating indulgences on a limited basis with intelligent snarkiness being one of them. It would also raise some cash for the ELCA lutifisk account.