Sep 20 2008
Down with “isms”!
I hate agism, sexism, and racism (not to mention Bidenism). In this election all these isms seem to come into play. A pastor once told me (a reputable pastor, that is), when vanity is concerned, the pendulum can always swing too far to the left or too far to the right. He wasn’t speaking of political parties (but hey, if the shoe fits…) What I got from that is, if I say I’m not voting for McCain because he’s older, that’s agism. If I say I’m voting for McCain because he’s older, that’s agism. If I say I’m not voting for Obama because he’s’ black, that’s racism. If I say I’m voting for Obama because he’s black, that’s racism. if I say I’m voting for Palin because she’s a woman, well that’s just stupid. Anyway, not difficult, right?
Last week, while watching George Stephanopoulos, Carly Fiorina (Republican) and Claire McCaskell (Democrat) were having an animated debate about the presidential candidates. When Claire McCaskell remarked that McCain was 72 and has had cancer four times, Carly Fiorina accused her of agism. Claire McCaskell is an agist? I wish Georgie would have stepped in and asked, “Why do you think McCain didn’t pick you as VP, Carly? or Olympia Jean Snowe, or Elizabeth Dole?” - all qualified Republican women. Why? Because you are all too old. McCain needed someone without a neck waddle. That’s agism, right? All these old political games all of a sudden seem new. But they’re not.
Where’s the middle ground? It’s like tip toeing around a mind field, obscuring the real issues. When can we say, this is the person I’m voting for; they seem to be the best chance we have for changing things around and representing us to the world. The best choice for our country and the world is based on policies, diplomacy & problem solving (also, knowing the difference between drug lords and a world leader, would be helpful). It would be wonderful if we could just throw out the “isms” - and get back to basics.
One Response to “Down with “isms”!”
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I think it’s necessary and valid to question the health and longevity of a septuagenarian with cancer. And the qualifications of his running mate, who has a one in three chance of inheriting the job should the American people wind up as dumb as the GOP is hoping they are. Every time you hear the McCain surrogates cry “sexism”, just remember that their candidates don’t support equal pay for equal work, want Roe v. Wade overturned, and use gender as a way to hijack the conversation away from the issues.