I was struck by a conversation I overheard this morning in a bagel shop. Two men were talking politics, and one man said: "Basically, people will vote for the candidate who will most affect them personally." I immediately had a reaction that did not agree with this statement. It got me to thinking . . .
From what I can see, most people fall into one of three categories. Sometimes people fall into multiple categories, but usually one is more prevalent. The three categories of voters are as follows: 1. those who vote strictly on how they will be affected 2. those who vote on how a politician will affect the county, state, or country 3. those who vote for politicians who have the best global outlook.
Most people fall into the first category, as was suggested by the man in the bagel shop. People want to know if this presidential candidate will speak for them or their community. African-Americans who vote this way want to be insured that the black vote will count (even in Florida!). They also want a politician who will work at creating a fair, institutional playing field. Gay and Lesbian voters of this style want to see what specific messages will be addressed to their community. The very wealthy of this persuasion want tax break messages. Those who are hunters or gun owners are interested in where this candidate stands on gun laws and the National Rifle Association (NRA). And so forth . . .
The second style of voters take it a step further. Not only do these people want to be assured that their personal needs will be addressed; they are also interested in knowing that what they idealize will be catered to as well as what they oppose. Much of what happens in this stage of voting can be seen in the political buzz words: pro-life v. Pro-choice, gay/lesbian issues v. the religious right, death penalty and gun laws, military enhancements. People who are involved in these debates are not necessarily affected by them. Most who oppose the death penalty do not personally know anyone on death row, yet they will attend rallies upon rallies to free Mumia Abu-Jamal. I attended one of these rallies before I even knew who Mumia was. I found out that day that there were a lot of people who knew little to nothing about him as well. Only after the rally did I do my research. There are Christians who protest against the laws that will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. They are red-faced and irate because to them any law that will allow gays and lesbians to marry (not one another, because that would be o.k.) is an annihilation and desecration to the sacred institution of marriage. But come on?!? Do people really get married because they want to enhance the sacredness of the institution??? Wow! I must have been sleeping for a long time, because I thought most American marriages take place because two individuals love each other. I certainly didn't get married to enhance any institution, and I don't remember the last person I've known who has. What's more important is how is someone's marriage my concern? Who cares??? Let's be real. If this issue is really about the sacredness of the institution, then why weren't these same people who rant, rave, and protest standing outside of Britney Spears' home when she, ON A WHIM, married Jason Allen Alexander. Somehow marrying someone on a dare, in a state where ordaining marriages is slightly more consecrated than a cable sitcom, does not seem to fit the definition of sacred. No. No. Obviously, the issue is far greater than the pretense of the sacredness of some institution. But this is what happens for people who vote in this manner. Issues do not have to personally affect them for them to be of interest. In fact, issues that have nothing to do with them is often more alluring. For this section of voters, the candidate in question is equivalent to a sports team. What uniform does he wear? The question may be better suited, is he a Yankees or Sox fan?
The third section of voters, those who vote towards that which is best for the world, has few members. However, this is where I find myself. I am more concerned about what a politician in question will do for the world at large. My decisions are not solely based on what will suit me. In fact, I have supported candidates who did not necessarily look out for my best interest financially, but had a better global plan. America is considered a super power in the world, but too often we behave like a super bully or super dictator. This is not only a criticism of the current administration, but a critique on any of the administrations who have made me feel unsafe. And before I hear any rant about me promoting some liberal agenda, let me make you aware that I would have been as outspoken during President Johnson's administration during the Viet Nam war.
The other night I was watching the Democratic National Convention and John Kerry was giving his speech. I was intrigued that he spoke very boldly about strengthening the military. Most democrats do not favor building up the military. At one point during his speech, he started on this riff that contained the words: "What if . . ." I couldn't help but to think of the same thing. What if all these politicians were less seasoned with rhetoric and more flavored with action? What if instead of just taking out the most dangerous weapons out of the most dangerous hands, we were to take out the most dangerous weapons? What if we tried to build a greater world, not just a greater America? What if God bless America became God bless this world? What if the enemy is no further away than the closest mirror? What if we were to work to build a world where A.I.D.S. is a distant memory and female genital mutilation would not be ignored? What if we were to create governments of interfaith? What if we were to rid this world of religion, replacing it with true spirituality? What if we stopped using God to justify our crimes and hatred toward each other? What if we were to have dreams of castles in the sky, and worked to build the foundations under them?
I want to vote in accordance with ancient ideals. I want to vote in accordance to needs larger than my circle of friends, larger than my state, larger than my country! I want to vote with the consciouness of the world. I am my brother's keeper, my sister's keeper, and my brother and sister serve Jesus and Allah. My brother and sister have been called white trash and nigger. My brother and sister are married to other brothers and sisters, and sisters and brothers. My brother and sister live below the poverty line in Camden County, NJ and my brother and sister have flourished in million dollar homes in Bergen County, NJ. My brother and sister speak many languages and have abodes in many countries; they love and hurt and pray and sing and fear. They fear what they do not know. They fear ghosts of hunger and oppression. They fear an uncertain future. They fear that America will vote only for American interest. I have these same fears.
I know not if my vote will make a difference this time around. I know not if the candidates will make a difference. I wait for that day when the politicians will be brave enough to stand up for dreams and deliver the resources to the people most in need. We are a country who has no money to aid the poor, the sick, those in desperate need; yet, we have billions to insure the making of destructive weaponry. This should not be.
I vote with the world in mind . . .
