November 06, 2000: stump speech
Hi, people.
My name's Kris, and I'm running for president. I'm running for president because there are no candidates out there who represent the truly leftist social views, who can look at the government and say, "Yeah, we need more smart people in here."
And you know what? I don't represent "the people". The American people are too diverse in their views to truly be represented in government. But that's okay. I intend to work for the good of everyone--whether they like it or not.
Got that? Good. I'm not going to bore you by attempting to scare you or pander to you or even amuse you. I'm just going to tell you what I'm for and what I'm against and, well, you can decide. I have faith in the essential intelligence of the American people. Goodness knows this is an unfounded faith, but it's the only thing that keeps me going these days.
This is what I'm for:
Abolishment of the governmental institution of marriage. Let's face it, people, marriage is a terribly discriminatory and sexist institution that the government doesn't have any business sticking its nose into. I will not do anything about the religious institution of marriage; churches can put whatever restrictions they like on who they will marry or consider married. But I will abolish marriage, and in its place institute a household and family registry. You will be able to register with your partner or partners of any sex, in whatever combinations you like, as a household or family unit. A family wouldn't have to live together, and matters of inheritance, hospital visitation, and other social and financial matters would be streamlined by family registry. A household would be two or more people living together, and would get all of the benefits of family registration as well as being treated differently by the tax laws, much as married couples are treated today.
The ending of the War on Drugs. It's swelled the prison population, propagated false information about the effects of drugs, and cost us something like billions of dollars overall. It's time to finally really learn the lessons of Prohibition and stop it. I propose that we legalize all currently controlled substances, make them available from pharmacies or other approved outlets, and tax the hell out of them. Remember Prohibition, when people were going blind from drinking bathtub gin and wood alcohol? That's what's happening today on a much, much larger scale. When Prohibition was repealed, though bathtub gin was still available, people drank commercial alcohol--even though it was more expensive--because it tasted better, was available in more varieties, and came from places people trusted to provide a good product. And if it's commercially available, it can be taxed.
I'd provide real, factual information about each drug--the percentage chance it has of various side effects, what precautions you should take before taking the drug, and how to get help should you find yourself addicted and don't want to be. People purchasing drugs from an approved outlet would have the peace of mind of knowing that their drugs weren't tainted or mixed with something else. It's time to stop being such Puritans. We have to get off of our moral high horses before we do any more irreparable harm to this country.
Supporting people's right to do whatever they like, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. The government should not be in the business of legislating morality, whether it's sexual, religious, or anything else. This would include the freedom to get an abortion--or to choose permanent sterilization, at any age over the age of consent.
Bringing the military home, and working for a strong United Nations. The US should not be the peacekeepers of the world.
Rich people pay more taxes. This is the way things should be.
And on, and on. Elect me, because I still have a few ideals left.
I will be so glad when this election is over. At this point, I genuinely don't care who wins. I'm just tired of the election coverage and the polls and everything invading NPR. I tune out when I hear the brassy tones of another candidate trumpeting about why he's so much better than the other guy.
None of these people support my point of view. As a woman, as a queer person, as a childless person, as a pagan, as a leftist, as a believer in alternative family structures, I am marginalized, campaigned against, told I am evil, told I am all that is wrong with today's society and legislated nearly out of existence.
And people wonder why I am disenchanted with politics.
Saturday and Sunday were spent with the southern branch of the family, between a Halloween party and gaming. I (again) didn't get much of anything I needed to do done, but I got to spend time with both Chris and the family and life is pretty good right now, even if I'm somewhat tired.
I still need some time off. But Loba will be in town next weekend, and after that I'll be holding my breath as the waters of social obligations close over my head until I surface in January.
I'm balanced on the edge of overwhelmed. I'm keeping myself from falling over with exercise and work, but I'm not sure how much longer that will last. Getting the house clean will help. Getting more drugs will help more. (I attempted to get my prescriptions on Sunday. There were people in purple and gold, carrying purple and gold bleacher pads, walking from their cars which they have obviously parked for the football game right next to the signs that say "ABSOLUTELY NO STADIUM PARKING". Yes, this means YOU. There was no parking for someone who just wanted to stop by the drug store.)
Bah. HUMBUG.
We're going into November, and I'm not quite into my usual seasonal depression.
Maybe this year, I can give it a miss. Maybe.
Never hurts to hope.
