Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed. Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence. When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed money more. I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
5 comments:
Ha-Ha! You are so funny! I loved this story. I think most people don't really know what a candidate that they like stands for. Maybe the waiter changed to McCain after your encounter. Hee-hee!
I expect if he were in the top 1% of all income earners, he would have appreciated your point more. 57% of people believe they are in the top 1%. It kind of spoils the point you are trying to make when you take from the poor to give to the poorer.
Maybe he was a Christian and has not been convinced that Jesus died for our Capitalism and our disdain for the needy.
Or your "ignorant" waiter was a veteran :
http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com/
Heck, maybe his father was a POW:
http://www.mccainbetrayspows.com/
Don't vote for either part of the false dichotomy. Why vote for the lesser evil? Why vote for evil at all?
I'm sorry I came across quite grumpy this morning. I have been arguing with conservative friends that keep trying to convince me that McCain's approach would be a Christian one. The joke e-mail isn't just a joke to me. It convinces people of something that doesn't exist. There are lots of ways to attack who Obama is and what he stands for, but the what the public and the Republican party are focusing on is not reality.
Once again...sorry if I vented on you. The sites are still very good sites for you to check out, though.
xoxo,
Erik
So tell me why you disagree or agree with your conservative friends. How are they saying that his approach is the christian one?
And... so, you think it is better to vote for the green party to make a stand/point even though one of the two 'evils' is going to win anyway? Wouldn't choosing one of the two evils make more of impact on the actual outcome?
I am sure the green party girls would be wonderful, but our system hasn't allowed them to put up much of a fight.
I am new at this debating so take it easy on me! :)
I wish I had more time before work, but I have been wanting to address this. Yes, I believe it is better to vote for the green party to make a stand. I do not believe that choosing between two evils because one is going to win is a choice.
Our system doesn't allow it because everyone keeps saying, "If one of the evils is going to win anyway, why not vote for the evil you like better?"
I'll take Obama's slogan and run with it. We need a change. We need an electorate that will vote their hearts.
Why not change the way our system operates? I write letters to our representatives and to the press and many others trying to make a change. Why not demand accountability from our representatives? Why aren't Christians furious that they aren't even allowed to know who is running for president?
How is it that any Christian has gotten to the point that they believe they have no choice but to vote for one of the two evils placed at their feet. It is their choice, not the choice of the media.
I disagree with my friends who believe that he is the Christian candidate because he is vocal about abortion (and a couple of other reasons). I judge a tree by its fruit. I do not associate pre-emptive war with Christ's teachings. I do not associate cheating on your wife with family values. I do not associate voting against education other important VA benefits as being "for the troops." I do not believe that empowering corporations to accelerate and strengthen a usurous hold on the public to be a Christian ideal. I could keep going, but I have to run to work.
I am really enjoying your blogging.
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