And this is where we all make sacrifical chant noises
Posted by Heather in Alabamer public edjumacation done taught me to readPrepare to be amazed.
I watched some of the presidential debate Tuesday night. No, really. I did! Not all of it, but some. Now, if that isn’t enough to impress you, then let me add that I watched some of the vice-presidential debate the other night too.
(and then I heard people make fun of Palin’s lack of the ending ‘g’ sound in -ing words and I totally didn’t even notice she did that. Again, my Southern roots shine bright!)
I don’t care what people say about Palin’s looks, Biden is pretty smoking for an old stoker, don’t you think? If the Presidential race was won on the candidates’ looks (and it so totally is), then Obama-Biden have it in the bag.
So I watched the debate Tuesday night and I paid very close attention, so close, in fact, that I can tell you what I learned from the candidates that night…
nothing nothing blah my record blah blah not a thing blah if you check my record blah nothing blah my friend blah blah my record blah not a thing blah my friend blah blah my record.
They would not shut up about their record, the other guy’s record, the incorrectness of the other guy’s record, correcting the incorrectness of their record the other guy said, and, for the record, I now understand why people make up word drinking games when watching these debates.
I’m not convinced I should give two shits about either one of their records. Maybe one shit, but definitely not two. The way I see it, there’s a lot about my past “record” where I’m like what the fuck was I thinking? Why did I think that was a good idea at the time? How could I stand for that then when I stand for this now?
Take my stand on white pantyhose in 1993. Remember when we wore white pantyhose with things like black skirts and it was fashionable? What the fuck were we thinking?
Like any normal human, I progress and mature, and I stopped wearing white pantyhose. Or really any pantyhose at all. I took an opposite stand to a previous decision. When you are progressive like me, you wear Spanx.
So are the candidates’ records from 8 years ago or 15 years ago all that important? I think there is plenty going on right now that needs to be talked about and, I dunno, perhaps the thinking from 8 to 15 to 40 years ago that got us into this mess isn’t the thinking we need to get out of it.
Remember, give one shit about the record, but not two.
There is one specific thing I actually do remember from the debate and it was a question from a little old lady. (who had internet! Go little old lady!) She said Americans haven’t been asked to make any sacrifices for our country since WWII other than sacrificing our men in war. She wanted to know what they as President would ask us to sacrifice in order to help get our country back where it belongs.
Do you remember her question? Because out of them all, it’s the only one that stuck with me.
Sen. McCain said he would tell Americans it might mean sacrificing some government programs.
What the fuck kind of answer is that?
He should have said it might mean sacrificing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac former executives to the OPEC gods and then taking back their $100 million severance packages and putting it into our education budget instead.
Because that’s the kind of answer I was looking for.
And just to be fair, since I’m apolitical and all, I would make fun of Obama’s answer except I can’t remember it, which tells me he didn’t say any real shit either. Or maybe he did but I was so lost in my fantasy of volcanoes and lava and human financial exec sacrifices and $200 million added to our education that I didn’t pay attention.
But I thought it raised a good question, especially for us Generation X’ers who have grown up with parental divorce guilt alleviated in the way of gifts and for who hard times meant they didn’t get a Barbie Mansion or a pair of Gap jeans. *ahem*
What have we known of sacrifice? Honest to god, when you can stop on every corner and spend $4 on one fucking cup of Starbucks, on coffee! What do we know?
Maybe some sacrificing would do us some good.
Maybe we would start to appreciate what we do have, and most importantly, the things money can’t buy. Maybe that state of gratitude alone would decrease the rate of depression and thousands of people would come off their meds, which in turn would affect gas because hundreds of thousands of people aren’t driving to the doctor to get the prescription, then to pharmacy to pick it up, and then the companies wouldn’t ship as much medicine, further lower gas consumption, and trickle, trickle, trickle. And that’s just one tiny example.
Maybe if we were asked by our President to sacrifice this, that, or another, we would feel united again as a country because we are all in this together, and instead of being part of the problem, we’re all part of the solution.
Maybe we do need to know some sacrifice.
And I say first up should be those banking execs with $200 million dollars.
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I *thought* that I watched the whole debate, but I totally missed the old lady question. Huh. Perhaps I experienced an alien abduction while she was asking it?
Anyway, my parents and I immigrated from the former Soviet Union, with its food shortages and general horrors, so my mother is getting quite a kick out of all the recent magazine articles about “how to save money–tip one: bring your lunch to work!” Why is this brain surgery? I think for a lot of us, sacrificing does mean one less trip to Starbucks a week. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that, but it’s good to be reminded that in terms of what sacrifice means, it’s not that grand.
Love having Barbie back to greet me in the morning, helps me remember who I am …Anyway, absolutely, I agree. This economic downturn is so good for everyone to stop and think before they spend. To raise our kids to be aware that money has to come from somewhere. There is so much we can do without. We raise our children with this unrealistic sense of “get whatever you want.” How can they they replicate that lifestyle right out of college, with student loans and entry level jobs? This is a good thing. It feels better to watch the pennies and tighten the belt. It feels good to concentrate on getting out of debt. A big cause of marital stress and strife can be spending. Some great books out there on family budgeting are by Dave Ramsey. Motivating…thanks for your post today…
i think more needs to be done by businesses to help their employees. working from home not only saves the employee money, it helps the company too.
Fuckin’ A!
The execs? Off with their frickin heads – there’s a start. (Can we cane them? That dude who was caned in some Asian country a few years ago – I’m thinking he never committed another crime.)
And I just started a draft yesterday about sacrifice and how we don’t have CLUE ONE what a real sacrifice is, in general. You are right on with that.
I’m so over BO and JMC and the whole thing. They both sucked at the debate. BO just sounds pretty but doesn’t say anything and JMC has some really good points and can’t communite them so who’d know? I’m voting for the party that most often reflects my philosophy of government.
And I think the best teeth will win. Barack and Joe have some mighty gorgeous choppers.
Yeah, I think there should be a cap on bonuses given to CEOs (like in sports).
But then again, this is America, where the rich get filthy-richer, and the poor just suck on their cancer sticks and guzzle beer.
oh girl. I just had the conversation with my cousing about progressing away from stands you took years ago and having different ones today. She did NOT agree…to quote you “OFF WITH HER HEAD!” i happen to think you and i are right.
We aren’t making sacrifices as a country – which does pose a huge point – wth? Many families have NO alternative BUT to sacrifice to stay above water. It’s all “fend for yourselves” again, WTF?!
I’m praying that the company i work for keeps paying me – there are no guarantees. It doesn’t matter if you are the TOP DOG in your field, if there’s no $$ to pay your salary, you’re fucked.
I totaly agree on the dwelling on their past records. I really woudl have liked to hear their clear and precise plans for the FUTURE should they be elected. I wish I would have heard that question and answer. I missed that one.
A-freakin’-men! I haven’t watched any of the debates because they just make me want to throw up. I’d rather just go read their website and get a general idea of where they stand on the issues. Not that it’s really going to matter since they literally won’t be able to keep their promises if they get elected…
Let me remind all of you that chocolate was on ration during WWII. I am just saying.
I don’t think we will be asked to sacrfice many things like during WWII.
I do think that this time will teach many Americans how to better spend and save their money. Let’s not forget that many people buy stuff, even small items, on credit cards and then don’t pay the balance off. We rely too much on credit and we need to rely more on cash. It goes the same for large companies.
My one rant: Please, please for the love of God. The mega rich, politicians, and, especially, Hollywood stop telling middle America how to spend it’s money. We are suppose to balance our budgets and do without then SO CAN YOU!!!
Did you hear about the bail out for Hollywood and an additional to AIG. I am so disgusted that I could revolt.
I am SO pissed that we – meaning, working, middle-class (or lower – me) people are being asked to freakin’ CUT BACK because some overpaid CEOs got so greedy the instability they caused was finally revealed.
I sacrifice for what I believe in – I DO NOT freakin’ believe in saving some corporate fatass’s lifestyle.
I sacrifice so I can stay home with my boys, even though I’m single. I sacrifice so I’m not adding to the destruction of the Earth.
( http://www.storyofstuff.com/ )
I won’t sacrifice so oil companies can claim even HIGHER profits.
Give me something I can believe in, I’m there. Not this bullshit.
{stepping down from soapbox}
Oh, and guess where OUR money – that we’re being asked to *sacrifice* for – went:
http://tinyurl.com/4favbu
Bravo Heather! I watched the debate too and I do remember that question. Although, I don’t remember much in the way of an answer either and didn’t come away feeling like I’d learned anything new. However,I DO remember Obama talking about AIG giving back their bailout money since right after getting help they went out on a $400,000 junket and that’s not fair. I don’t know which question it was in response to – something about the bailout I’m sure.
I agree that we rely too much on credit. Our society has become all about who has what. “he who dies with the most toys wins” and such.. it’s disgusting. The more we get, the more we want. We don’t stop to think much about long term decisions and whether they are benficial for 5 years down the line, just what can we get and how can we get it now. THAT’S the mentality that has gotten us in this hole and changing that stinkin’ thinkin’ is what’s gonna get us out.
Bravo Heather! I watched the debate too and I do remember that question. Although, I don’t remember much in the way of an answer either and didn’t come away feeling like I’d learned anything new. However,I DO remember Obama talking about AIG giving back their bailout money since right after getting help they went out on a $400,000 junket and that’s not fair. I don’t know which question it was in response to – something about the bailout I’m sure.
I agree that we rely too much on credit. Our society has become all about who has what. “he who dies with the most toys wins” and such.. it’s disgusting. The more we get, the more we want. We don’t stop to think much about long term decisions and whether they are benficial for 5 years down the line, just what can we get and how can we get it now. THAT’S the mentality that has gotten us in this hole and changing that stinkin’ thinkin’ is what’s gonna get us out.
I couldn’t agree more– I don’t want children to starve and die or anything, but all this economic contraction can only be good. We’ve been floating on an artificial high for way too long.
Yay for sacrifice!
Somo: That idea does make my heart shrivel up and cry, but then again, with less chocolate, I would lose weight and maybe, when i actually did have chocolate, I would appreciate it that much more.
A-MEN!
white tights. seriously. what the hell were we thinking???!?!
I’m here to hold you. (Heh)
And seriously, my favorite part of this post (not that it wasn’t all fabulous) was, “Go, little old lady!”
I peed myself.
The news outlets touted the “town hall style” debate format as one that wouldn’t allow the candidates to fall back on their stump speeches. The moment Barack answered the first question with his verbatim stump speech and John rebutted with his stump speech, I turned it off. Because it turned me off. And I prefer to be turned on.
as always, great idea & insight.
i'm so not political, i didn't watch the debates. i figured they wouldn't tell me anything anyway.
but- i'm hoping i see a trend not only in this economic time, but also with parenting that *hopefully* the age of entitlement is waning.
this is why I simply ADORE your blog!
Finally! Someone who agrees with me on the old record not mattering (so not a word!)
People can change, I don’t care so much about what they DID, I want to know what they are going to DO.
While you were having fantasies about executives and lava, I was busy trying to figure out if there was a mouse in my pocket. I couldn’t think of any other reason McCain kept saying, “My friends.” Surely he couldn’t be talking to me since I’ve never met the man, but maybe he’s good buds with tiny rodents that hide in innocent lady’s pockets?
I LOVE your points! Hubby and I were both cheering on that little old lady who seemed to be the wisest of all who were speaking that night. That wisdom came from experience. I think the politicians/govt need to be talking more about us being willing to make sacrifices and pull together as a nation. We are totally spoiled.
For the record, Obama's response mentioned that we all need to think about how we use energy and start doing it more efficiently, blah, blah, blah, and then that he wants to double the size of the Peace Corps, and encourage & reward more community service (Read more here:)
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/service/
Thanks for a great post!
Heather, you rock. I did watch that debate (kind of) and I remember being appalled at McCain’s total non-answer to that question. Ridiculous.
I love the headless Barbie, by the way, takes me back.
I have to say, that yes the mortgage loaners were greedy, but the middle class people who took the loans, knowing the mortgage prices would go up have to accept some blame here as well. I know it is political to put all the blame on the mortgage loaners, but come on, where do we the people accept our responsibility. I had a friend who wanted to buy a house very badly, and she was looking at the neat interest only loans for three years, and she was convinced that she would somehow find the money for when the mortgages jumped on her, after three years. Luckily a friend of mine and I convinced her not to buy the house. There is plenty of blame to be spread around and plenty of greed that we felt.
Forrest: I don’t know about this “we” business. This middle class American bought only what she could afford in a house on a 30 year fixed mortgage.
I guess I know more about financial responsibility than banking CEOs.
Us too on the buying only as much house as we could afford, and laughing in the banks face about that ARM loan too. We’ll take fixed for 30 years, thanks.
Though it was WaMu so I dunno what’s gonna happen with that.