politics for the people

I have never been much of a political guru. I don't know much about how politics work, or who stands for what. In the last election, I was one of the blind lead by the blind, influenced by peers alone when it came to my voting decisions. I was un-educated and un-aware. And I feel sorry for this. However, as the 2008 election has progressed I have made more of an effort to find understanding, or at least a little wisdom amidst the madness of it all. There is much that I still do not know. However, my eyes have been opened to the real issues on the table, the people that decisions effect and the way these decisions impact, change, destroy, rebuild, and strengthen our nation. 

I have discovered: I am not a one issue voter. If I were-- I wouldn't be able to vote at all. I am torn between so many issues. The idea of basing a vote on beliefs for/against abortion alone devastates me. Yes, there is incredible importance wrapped up in this issue. But, there is so much more.

For me, what it comes down to is the issues of social justice, social welfare, social inequalities. It comes down to the people. People from all walks- the homeless, the elderly, the middle-class, the mentally ill, those in debt, the educators, the veterans, the wealthy, the unborn, the sick and "the regular". Those with much and those without. The people. How are these people treated and cared for, how are they held accountable, how are they given hope, how are they seen from the eyes of others? These people. Those people. They. Them. I am one of them, I matter- but it is not all about me. My current role of being a student, in the middle-class with bad health insurance should not dictate my vote alone. I would only be looking out for myself- "for number 1" (ha). I want my social awareness, and my say in it all to stand for all of us. All of them.  

It hasn't always been a nice story for them. And this year, it is the political plans and the political candidate that I see as standing for the people that gets my vote. This year I am trying to remember: before I vote for something that I am against/for, or something that I think is wrong/right to look at the big picture, and the people who are affected daily by the actions of our nation. I believe things can change.