Tuesday is of course election-day and this is also undoubtedly one of the most important and closest elections this country has faced in a long time.
Don’t worry; the rest of this post is not going to include any endorsements or progressive political lobbying from yours truly.
It is a very sad thing that only about half of the eligible American population makes his/her way into the voting booth. For the world’s greatest and most notorious democracy (though actually we are a republic), it is disheartening that voter turnout lags far behind many less established and secure democracies. So matter what else is going on, no matter how much you hate or love both Kerry and Bush, make sure you vote.
My one bit of political posturing is a call to set your own personal life here and now aside and vote for those candidates and propositions you believe are best for our children’s future. I read an interesting book recently that was written by a group of Business Ethics professors. The book was about environmentalism in American corporate business but was written in the context of “the wager of our children’s future”. Quite simply, it stated that so much is unknown about environmental threats, but are we really willing to take the chance on our children’s futures? And for those ready to comment that I’m not keeping my vow to remain non-partisan, this book does not endorse increased governmental regulation. Instead, it calls for all companies to decide how proactive they wish to be and to utilize that in a way that creates competitive advantage. Yes, quite capitalistic and laissez-faire I must say.
For me personally, active environmentalism, promoting racial equality, strong social programs, and empahtically protecting civil liberties are what drives my determination of what’s best for the world I will hand down to my daughter. But for others, it could very well be the removal of estate taxes, privatizing social security, an emphasis on national defense, and governmental control of morality. I hope I did not describe those priorities pejoratively; it honestly was not my intent. I certainly don't mean to imply that either set of goals listed is exclusive of those in the other. There are many ways to attempt to go after the same goals and the most productive road is unclear. We are each different with equally valuable opinions on these matters. It is only through the exercise of our right to vote that we are collectively most apt to determine the right answers.
But when we vote based only on what may provide some immediate solace, we are thinking far too short term in nature. And this can be dangerous because it almost by default means we’re ignoring the dilemmas that inevitably lie ahead. Even worse off is when we don’t vote at all. Because then we are saying that we don’t even care. Not voting inherently means placing the power in the lobbyists and special interests that, IMHO, have equally damaged both of our major political parties and threaten the very fabric of our democracy.
So get out to the polls and be heard. I know this is a non-adoption, non-Guatemala post. I don’t think either candidate will be better or worse so far as adoption is concerned. But this website is ultimately about family, children, and all things that impact the lives of those families formed through intercountry adoption. So in that vain, I’ll stretch things a bit and once again make the call to action.
GO VOTE!!!!
Kevin, Kevin, Kevin...
Methinks thou doest protest too much. You're insufferably cute, all liberal, all the time. You can't disguise yourself, but that's ok. It's a free country and a free internet, so good for you!
Since you started it, I'll take a shot. I agree with you about voting except that I believe people who don't are really expressing their ennui...which is their right. Free people have the right to turn their lives over to others.
I don't think everyone should have the right to vote. Actually, I think only property owners should be able to vote, just as George Washington felt. As for candidates, I think a rich man is a better candidate than a poor one for many reasons. Also, you can be rich and sensitive at the same time, as our current president demonstrated on Ground Zero.
Bye.
Posted by: Jim Koeniger at October 31, 2004 08:22 PMThis was the first time that I ever had to stand in line to vote. The line was too the door of my polling place. The last time I voted, I was number 3 for the day. Today, I was #61 and I went at the same time.
Where did the phrase, "You can't legislate morality" come from? Governments always legislate morality. This is necessary to maintain an ordered society.
Stealing = bad, so we have laws against it.
On the liberal side, we have recently come to know the term, "Hate Crime". The govt. has determined that it is not nice to say bad things about people while you are robbing them or committing some other offense. (Are not all crimes hate crimes?)
Geez, Jim....do you think we all should own slaves, too, like George Washington did?
I am shocked that a person who adopted from one of the poorest countries in the world would believe that only people with money (property owners) should be allowed to vote. So are you saying that money matters more than each person's right to voice an opinion?
I don't get it.
Susan
Posted by: Susan at November 2, 2004 10:27 AMSusan...
Of course I don't believe what I said in my post. Why would I? My son is not a property owner, unless you count a pickup truck as property and even then he doesn't really own it, the bank does. I believe anybody who is governed by a government is owed a say in who governs him or her.
George Washington owned slaves. If he lived today, he couldn't because it is illegal. In Washington's day it was not illegal to smoke pot in The Netherlands, does that make it ok today?
Posted by: Jim & Leigh Koeniger at November 2, 2004 05:49 PMThank you Jim for clarifying. I was actually speechless (and that doesn't happen often) by what you had written.
For the record, those of us who are too ethical on the loyal left to stay with the Democratic Party do not like to be called "liberals" because of the connotations. Although I believe the dictionary definition of liberal is open-minded and by that I certainly hope I qualify. But for the time being I consider myself a political progressive and that is not something that I have ever been anything but open about.
And as for legalizing marijuana... I'm all for it. We could pay off the deficit, stop incarcerating largely innocent people, provide medicinal care, and eliminate the stupidity inherent in the ban on industrial hemp that could reduce our dependance on oil, make us competitive in textile industries, provide valuable nutrition sources and more. After all, Jefferson was a hemp farmer. What do I care if people want to smoke pot? It doesn't cause people to steal, act violently or anything that damages our society. In the most comprehensive study ever done on it, the worst societal impact that could be found was a "loss of initiative in some people". If that's reason enough to ban it, then we ought to be banning television and game boys as well.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin at November 2, 2004 06:03 PMKevin...now I'm the one who's speechless. Your little rant about legalizing a major gateway drug is nothing short of amazing. Maybe twenty or thirty years ago it would have made some sense to reasonable people, but today? No! Come on, Kevin...this is a website about Guatemalan adoption, not some free love hippie manifesto. Or is it?
By the way, one of Webster's definitions of "liberal" is..."not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms." In my opinion, if we adults have learned ANYTHING from the '60's, it is to respect and appreciate certain rules of behavior that keep us from destroying our own brain cells in exchange for a few hours of "WOW."
Hi, I am getting a kick out of Kevin and Jim, but on a different note, when are we going to hear something about the calendars? I think they said this is where we could get our info. about them. Could someone please let me know. Thank you. Sharon
Posted by: Sharon at November 3, 2004 08:53 AMI thought this site was about Guatemala and adoptions ?????????????????
Posted by: rjv at November 3, 2004 08:56 AMI agree. Let's get back to Guatemalan adoption news. Does anyone know if the proposed new law has been read yet? If not, when it may be read?
Posted by: Sharon at November 3, 2004 09:17 AMSharon,
Word on the calendars will be out very soon. Yes, we will post it as soon as possible.
So far as any law proposals are concerned, I have not heard anything. And in this case, no news is good news.
My guess is that the Congress realizes that the UNICEF propsal is unconstitutional and unworkable and passing it would only lead to legal battles. But if I hear anything, I will of course post it.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
Thanks Kevin for responding about the calendars. There are two Sharon's making comments, I am the one who asked about the calendars. I will sign Sharon W. from now on. Take care.
Sharon W.
Posted by: sharon at November 3, 2004 10:29 AMI am very unhappy about the information on this website. I tuned in to this site last year and it kept my hopes alive as I waited for my son to come home. Kevin has gone too far in preaching his political views that I find very opposed to my own. This is supposed to be about Guatemalan adoption and the issues directly involved with that and many of these issues discussed are not. I will not be coming back to this site and will not recommend it to any others. Very disappointed.
I am in agreement with Kristi. I come to this site for Guatemala adoption news or at least something to do with Guatemala. I would feel much better about supporting a website that did not contain unnecessary and completely personal political banter. Isn't there some other website that you could use to raise your political views? I don't want to give up on this site, but if things don't change I won't find any use in it. I too will not recommend this site to any others.
Posted by: Carrie at November 3, 2004 02:51 PMI wanted to take the time to talk a little about our purpose for this site.
First of all, we do NOT want it to be limited to "only parents", "only agencies", "only Republicans" or "only Democrats". While we do not want unrelated politics to dominate the site, we are human beings and these beliefs may seep into the discussions....if not the main entry.
There is a choice here. Either the site is open to discussion or we close the discussions and present every issue in a dead-pan, no emotion delivery.
Please remember, the writers for this site are not paid by ANYONE and most of the funds to research, update and keep the site online comes out of our OWN pockets.
Comments are for opinions and responses. Just like other forums (adoptions.com, yahoogroups, Biglist, etc.) If you live in glass houses, you shouldn't throw stones. So, if you do not want to hear a political debate, then please DON'T START ONE!
Our MAIN postings have generally been void of political leanings outside of the adoption issue. But it doesn't make sense to me to have a double standard when it comes to comments. I'll say it one more time. If YOU have the right to pester us about unrelated politics, then surely we (who fund, research and write for this site) have the right to respond.
That being said, lets get back to our common passion....Guatemalan Adoptions.
Posted by: Kelly (guatadopt.com) at November 3, 2004 04:13 PMThank you Kelly,
I want to thank Kevin as well. My husband and I truly appreciate this site. This forum has been helpful to me and my children in many ways. I love the fact that Kevin has created threads explaining Guatemalan culture AND Guatemalan politics.. I wish those threads received as much attention as this one. Just one time I would like to read more then 1 response to a thread on what a certain Holiday represents, or the history of Guatemala.. Why is it.. there are rarely any interesting discussions on those topics.. Don't we as parents have any interest in keeping up on these issues?? Our children are Guatemalan and these issues are their history, their culture. Don't we owe it to our children to be somewhat educated on the country we have the privilege of adopting them from???? It is so sad that anyone would complain about these last few posts..Hello people?? it WAS election day yesterday???? FYI, the front page of the Pensa Libra had a huge picture of our presidential candidates yesterday..It seems the election is very relevant to this site..
On the other hand why doesn't anyone bother to read and/OR respond to threads about what certain holidays represent in Guatemala, OR give opinions on any of the interesting books there have been threads on?? This site is many things to many people. The one thing it should not be is a place to bash the folks that keep it up and running!!!! Kevin please continue to be who you are, I find you very interesting, and am thankful for all the time and interest you give to this web site.
Rigo
Posted by: Rigoberto at November 3, 2004 05:24 PMI posted some months ago about keeping non-adoption related politics out of this site, and I too have little in common with some of the 'left leaning' opinions posted here, but I appreciate the work you guys do on this site. It is not easy.
Since we are all making suggestions... I would like to see more things related to contemporary Guatemalan issues (not so much your opinions on them) and how in particular we can get involved. Not so much political stuff (except for adoption politics) but the postings you do every once in a while on good programs for the hungry, or the folks that deliver supplies to the needy down there and how to get invloved with them.
Many folks don't read spanish and so it is hard to keep in tune with what's going on in the country. Some summaries of the big going's on would be neat.
thanks for you hard work Kevin and keep it up!
-Shannon
I posted some months ago about keeping non-adoption related politics out of this site, and I too have little in common with some of the 'left leaning' opinions posted here, but I appreciate the work you guys do on this site. It is not easy.
Since we are all making suggestions... I would like to see more things related to contemporary Guatemalan issues (not so much your opinions on them) and how in particular we can get involved. Not so much political stuff (except for adoption politics) but the postings you do every once in a while on good programs for the hungry, or the folks that deliver supplies to the needy down there and how to get invloved with them.
Many folks don't read spanish and so it is hard to keep in tune with what's going on in the country. Some summaries of the big going's on would be neat.
thanks for you hard work Kevin and keep it up!
-Shannon
I can't believe that people actually have the audacity to complain about t, his amazing, incredible, helpful, FREE, and informative site. You could read any of the links to the right - links specifically about all aspects of Guatemalan adoption - and stay busy for hours. Yet people find a few discussions that are about American politics - not polemics, not monologues, but discussions, and cry foul. Surely, we're all bright and curious enough to be interested in perspectives other than our own. You know the old saying, take what you want and leave the rest? If the topic doesn't interest you, move on.
I think it is terribly short-sighted to say "I'm leaving & I'll never recommend this site to anyone." You'll throw out 90% of the valuable information because you disagree with 10%. I wonder, if Kevin espoused the same political philosophy as your own if you would find this as upsetting.
Kevin, Kelly, you're amazing. Without the information on this site, I would have been at a disadvantage when in the process of adopting my daughter. You put your hearts and souls into this site. I appreciate your commitment and hard work. I always find something informative here.
Elizabeth S.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. at November 7, 2004 12:33 PMI couldn't have said it any better, Elizabeth. Thanks so much to Kevin and Kelly for everything! I am a grown-up and if I don't agree then I just cope with it!
Posted by: Susan at November 8, 2004 12:51 PM
The big list has people posting about, sleep issues, race issues, and food issues. Frankly I would never turn to the guat list for these kinds of questions. That is what my pediatrician is for. So why can't kevin or anyone for that matter post something off topic here???? Anyway thanks for the calendar that was very kind of you all.
Marie
Posted by: Marie at November 9, 2004 09:18 AM"Each of you, for himself, by himself and on his own responsibility, must speak. And it is a solemn and weighty responsibility, and not lightly to be flung aside at the bullying of pulpit, press, government, or the empty catchphrases of politicians. Each must for
himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, and which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your convictions is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let man label you as they may. If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country- hold up your head! You have nothing to be ashamed of."
- Mark Twain