Issues More or Less Swept Aside

Published on October 22, 2004 By stevendedalus In Current Events

Guns

Except for NRA extremists, thanks should be given that the right to bear arms is not driven to the forefront of the current election. Frankly, it never should have been one to begin with because at no time were gun owners threatened. There was always allowance for genuine gun-collectors to hang any fire-arm above the mantel piece and no true hunter, unless he went on a safari, really gave a damn about assault weapons.

Life and Science

Although pro-life vs. pro-choice per se never disappears from the radar screen, it does not appear to carry as much weight as in past elections but for the new addition of stem cells. Currently it is now perceived either as the culture of life vs the culture of science. The stance on this one is either to conduct research to protect existing life, or sanctify potential life. Pro-life respectfully believes that even the seedling cell constitutes life and is therefore sacrosanct. Never the twain shall meet on this issue, but the Christian Coalition is beginning to teeter in that there seems little point in trying to impose upon a personal decision, lest it be accused of invading privacy and individual freedom.

Minimum Wage

Notwithstanding Kerry’s broaching the minimum wage issue, it is really dead without a Democrat controlled congress, which is not going to happen. Even if somehow the Democrats grab the majority in the Senate, it will still be left dormant in the House. If Kerry wins the least he could hope for is a very modest cost of living index attached to the current base — even that would be a herculean task.

Tort Reform

However close this reform is with insurance companies, doctors, and lawyers, the people are distant from it unless affected directly. Nor do they bother to separate the current discussion on health care costs due to lawsuits from lawsuits in general. The cry is always about the doctors, especially specialists, having to pay high malpractice insurance, but the average person in seeing his home and auto insurance rising each year, finds it difficult to sympathize with the affluent profession because the perception is the devil in price-gouging insurance companies always escalating their profits whether it be general or medical insurance.

Economy

With the exception of some states hurt economically, the majority, though not spectactularly, are managing, despite many who have had to settle for lower wages — the two income family is actually the new safety net that prevents total collapse. In the mind-set of survival of the fittest since the Reagan years, it matters little that there are many barely surviving.

This lackluster scenario, then, only substantiates that the prevailing issues are war, terror and homeland security.

http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Oct 23, 2004

While war, terror, and homeland security are definite concerns of mine, I do think it is sad that many important issues and pressing problems are being buried under heaps of personal attacks and petty accusations. I am young, and have been "politically aware" through a scant few elections. Is this election debacle typical, steven?

stevendedalus

on Oct 23, 2004

No,not quite; in the past, even in spite of wars, except Vietnam, there was still the free-flow of holistic ideas wherein a voter more or less knew the issues. Unfortunately, when religion and prevailing irrational rowdiness intervened, attacks became overly emotional and personal, creating a political fog.

thatoneguyinslc

on Oct 23, 2004

Excellent post Steven, Giving you an insightful!

stevendedalus

on Oct 23, 2004

Thanks so much, thatone.... It's a great feeling to have allies.

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