Your Take: "I'm Just Not Political" Recap

Here's what everyone had to say about the question of whether it's really worth it to be an involved citizen.

Joe commented on the post:

For each person, life is all about something different, and for each person, a different passion is the pilot light in their furnace of a brain. For some people, helping others is their passion, and so they go to third world countries to get their hands dirty helping others to live decent lives, then come home to try to spread awareness and convert others to their cause.

For some others, it's music, like a guy I work with who is a member of two bands, and a producer for one of those as well as one more. He is a walking encyclopedia of musical knowledge and the overhead radio that plays oldies almost always leads to a quip that makes you wonder how anyone would know it. For example, "Did you know that Parliament Funkadelic was actually two separate bands with the same members, but called different names because of disputes with different recording companies?"

For others still, it could be business research, or the economy, international relations, or political issues. Whatever the subject matter is, these concentrations often stretch beyond points of interest or hobbies. Moreso, they form the identity of a person--who they are, what they strive for, and their own personal reason for existence--their 'sense of belonging' if you will.

So for some, politics just "isn't their bag," to quote the great Austin Powers, and for those, perhaps it's best that way.

Sorry for the LATE LATE update, but things have been crazy around here the last few weeks. Thanks for the comment and we'll see you all soon!

Bi-Partisan Support?

Not so much. The ginormous stimulous package passed the House...but without a single Republican vote in favor. Not exactly bi-partisan, if you use the standard definition.

The GOP blamed house Democrats for shutting them out of discussions, not being open to debating elements, etc etc. I think there's a lot to that. Pelosi and other Congressional leaders knew they had enough votes to pass the bill. That sort of kills the instinct to negotiate. Whatever efforts the President made to get everyone together, he ran into one of the checks and balances of our government...and this time, not for the best.

The Senate, however, is another story. The Dems can't just ride rough-shod over the GOP. (Although I seriously doubt Harry Reid's ability to ride rough-shod, period...that's neither here nor there.) In the Senate, we're already seeing debate, like the one on school funding as a part of the stimulus.

I'm not worried about bi-partisan support yet, because the House version will not be the final version. Because the Senate will have to debate the issue to get it passed the bill WILL change. Then, Senate leaders will have to sit down with House leaders and hammer out yet another version. That third version will very likely be more acceptable to House Republicans, giving us a bi-partisan bill at last.

If the House Dems decide to stonewall the Senate leaders, THEN I'll be concerned.