By Mary Hill
I know there is not any good news on news these days. Sometimes I hate turning on a news program. I don’t like Fox News because I believe it is really too conservative. I don’t like MSN — too liberal. CNN is okay but can you really trust their coverage? I watch them all. I want to be aware of each side’s points of view. I want to know what is going on in Washington or with the UN. I want to hear about Israel or North and South Korea (especially with the volatile situation going on with North Korea.)
I read a lot too. Huffington Post and other online newspapers and opinion sites. I get the Sunday paper sometimes. I feel like if I don’t know, how can I have an informed opinion.
Why do you need to stay active in politics and keep in the know? Why is it so important, especially for mothers and women. A lot of day-to-day political decisions will impact your pocketbooks; they will impact the quality of education your children receive; and if you don’t keep ahead of it you can’t have an informed voice.
For instance, President Obama has proposed cuts to social security in his budget. Paul Ryan has too. Paul Ryan’s cuts are more drastic, especially to Medicare. Neither proposal are good news for my mother or me for that matter if I am able to get disability and one day retire.
If you haven’t followed this, you might not know that President Obama made a campaign promise not to touch Social Security. Well, if you know politicians don’t keep their promises, you wouldn’t be surprised. I knew this, but I really had big hopes that this President was going to do good for the United States. I respect him and thought he cared. I still respect him, but he has definitely made me not trust him anymore.
What can we do about the turn of events right now? Write our Congressmen. Clog the White House phone lines with our disapproval about the proposed Social Security cuts. Join a women’s political group. It doesn’t matter which side of the political spectrum you are on. You need to take a stand and stand for something for your children. We can make a difference if we stay informed: one woman or one mom at a time!
I’m nominating you for a Leibster award! 🙂
http://stephcb.blogspot.com/
Has Obama kept any of his promises since entering the White House? I’m not a huge fan, but that’s because I believe in Capitalism. I also have a problem with the people standing in line for the poles saying, “I’d never vote for a white man.” –Who cares about the candidates policies. Racism is dead, right?
Okay, rant done. I don’t talk about politics.
As an Aussie, I am not up with American politics, but over here we are having battles with our own politicians!
Hi Mary. Just joined your blog. I’m not much of a politician but I see we are on the same page with pro-life, gun control and not cutting SS and Medicare. I get my news from PBS and public radio. Also support Obama but worry he can’t break the gridlock in DC.
Thanks Sharon. I know Obama said he made the proposal to cut social security as a means to get a compromise on the revenue side. I think he is giving to much concessions to the ultra conservative right wing Republicans. He should try to meet in the middle with the moderates. That is just my thoughts. Gridlock will never be broken in DC as long as we have the system that we do. It is horrible that more people don’t have a say in our government with this two party system that we have. That will have to be another blog entry though.
I wish you the best of luck in advocating for the changes you want to see, and I agree that taking a stand and making your voice heard really can make a difference.