Five Reasons Why I Don't Hate Michele Bachmann
By Adam Tapley, 14th Jun 2011 | Follow this author
| RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/4q2ao7yo/
Posted in WikinutNewsPolitics
The Presidential Race is right around the corner, and I thought it would be interesting to see what the Republican party is working with to contend with Barack Obama and the Democratic party. Focus: Michele Bachmann.
- A Background
- 1) Education
- 2) Troops in Iraq
- 3) Oil!
- 4) Global Warming
- 5) Bailout
- Conclusion: Not Too Shabby
A Background
Michele Bachmann has a background that is not so unlike many of ours in the United States. She was born in small-town Iowa, and raised in small-town Minnesota. She was raised by her mother after her father split for California. She worked hard, completed law school in 1988, and was a tax attorney for the IRS for about five years.
She then moved on to politics. In 2006 she became a representative for her state of Minnesota in Congress, in '08 she was elected to the House of Representatives representing Minnesota. In '10 she successfully retained her seat in the House of Representatives. Now, she is poised for the big time. Presidency.
Since I've never taken much of an active interest in politics, I've decided that this term was going to be different, and by God I'm gonna know things! So, after following Michele Bachmann, and getting a brief history collected on her, here are the top five reasons why I don't absolutely hate her.
1) Education
Michele Bachmann is a firm supporter of what is called 'intelligent design', which immediately made me not like her. Intelligent design is basically a neo-creationism view that provides an alternative explanation for the development of life aside from evolution. She is a devout Christian, so I'm not going to hold this one against her. You have to stick to your guns, right?
The thing that she has done on the issue of education is actually oppose a bill that appeared to increase Pell Grant funding, lower student loan interest rates, and increase the maximum amount a student could borrow. Why do I like her stance on education, then?
Simple; money management. The reason that she opposed the bill is that the bill didn't offer up much in the way of system reform. Essentially, all the bill accomplished was making it easier to borrow money from the federal government, and being less harsh about paying it back. This did not open up the university system to more people, it just made it easier for people in certain circumstances to get more money to go. As a former student, I can say that A) the Pell grant never helped me out, not once, and B) making it easier to borrow money will not help us get out of debt.
2) Troops in Iraq
In '07, the House opposed Bush's plan to increase the amount of troops in Iraq. One of my major issues with our activities in Iraq is that I simply do not know what we are doing over there. Not necessarily needing to know, on a daily basis, what every soldier is doing. But, I, and I believe many Americans, have no clue as to what the overall objective is anymore. Initially, it was to root out WMD's. Quickly, it became a manhunt for Saddam Hussein. Now, we are just there, spreading democracy, I believe.
The main reason that Bachmann was hesitant to support any additional troops being sent to Iraq, from my understanding, is that she would prefer a full hearing to explain to the American people what it is we are doing over there. What are our main objectives? What is the timeline? What are we doing to finish this up? Her feeling that we deserve to know gives me a good feeling about her.
3) Oil!
These days, if your are a politician, you must have some sort of stance on our energy crisis, primarily our plans for oil. It is a well known fact that a major percentage of anything that runs in America runs on oil, or some by-product of oil. Thus, anytime there is a shortage, or the price goes up per barrel, everyone in the world is effected.
There is rumor, speculation, that there are massive amounts of oil waiting for us to harvest off the coast of Alaska, on the Outer Continental Shelf. Also, there are opportunities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Now, I love nature more than your average person. But I also love not losing a day of pay every time I fill up my gas tank. Sometimes in life, you must pick the lesser of two evils. Bachmann roundly supports alternative energy solutions, as well as the prospect of drilling in these two areas for our own, domestic oil. Her and 10 other House Republicans actually made a trip to Golden, Colorado, to investigate emerging renewable energy trends, as well as discuss the prospect of off coast drilling.
4) Global Warming
This is a tired issue to me, and I've heard everything from 'cow flatulence being our number one danger' to 'there are too many plants' used to explain global warming. Personally, I believe that the planet will go through massive weather shifts all on its own. Space is a mysterious force, and the mere fact that everything has been working well, with exacting efficiency, for this long is amazing.
Mrs. Bachmann has gone on record to say the one thing that I believe about global warming; that it is false. That carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring gas, that it's primary function is to sustain plant life. These are things that we learn in elementary school, and I suppose forget once we get to the House of Representatives. If carbon dioxide gases occur naturally, then say does any erratic behavior in our planet's atmosphere.
5) Bailout
I remember the day that I first heard of the proposed $700 billion bailout for big business, after the crippling hit that our economy took. I remember saying to myself 'that is a helluvalot of money.' I remember thinking that it wasn't fair, that these big businesses will be bailed out, just so their executives can continue making bonuses that are more than my annual salary.
Michele Bachmann must have said these things to herself as well, as she roundly opposed the major bailout, and even had alternatives for the bailout of Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. Her alternative for the big three? Essentially, pull yourself up by your boot straps. She wanted these companies to set benchmarks for spending and debt reductions. My opinion, start at the exec level. There is no reason that anyone needs to own a Bentley or a jet, ever.
Not to mention that she strongly opposed that trip to Asia that Obama took. You remember, the one that cost Americans $200 million a day?
Conclusion: Not Too Shabby
I didn't even get to touch on the fact that she is a supporter of the Tea Party, or that she believes we the people have a right to choose what kind of light bulb we want to use. Basically, I believe that Michele Bachmann seems business-minded, and tenacious, enough to be a better female candidate than Palin or Clinton. I still reserve the fear that she is just being put up as a 'token female candidate', but for now, I don't completely hate her.
Comments
14th Jun 2011 (#)
I have yet to really look into her legislative record. The problem with being a Rep. is, you also gain so much baggage. You might vote 'no' for something but, it is not that you are really opposed to the actually bill itself, it could be one thing that was stuck in it. Then the press can eat ya up. Her being a woman, I am sure the media will only get worse. That is not just for republican women, it seems to be for all women in the political field, sadly. As a older women and having two kids in their mid to late 20's. I have voted since the next election after I turned 18. I believe that we all have, not only a responsibility to vote but a, obligation to our country to do so. Being informed is the only way we will make a much better choice. Us folks here in Alabama are hurting. I don't know about where you live. I will wait until all the debates are done, do my research a tad more and then see who I support. What I have seen of her, I can not say anything bad. Nice read. Thank you for sharing.:)
Reply to this comment
14th Jun 2011 (#)
Thanks Denise. You make some good points, particularly in that it is inherently harder for a woman to compete politically, not just in the U.S. but the entire world. I live in Georgia, and things aren't much better over here, so that's why I want to be sure to know as much as possible before the next election.
Reply to this comment
14th Jun 2011 (#)
Well hey neighbor. I have lived most of my life in Columbus Georgia. We moved across the river to Phenix city Alabama, in 2001. Both my kids were born in Columbus Georgia and consider it home. If you don't mind answering, which part of Georgia?
Good for you Adam, I wish more would take it this seriously. I was so amazed that people didn't even know which guy President Obama picked as V,P., in a street interview conducted by Jay Leno and Jon Stewart back before they both won the election in 2008. Because, I have been doing research on the Iraq since we went in, in 2003. I knew all about Mr. Biden and that was one of the reasons I opposed Mr. Obama and his judgement. Mr Biden was on the Senate foreign relations commity since 94 and he chaired the commity since the dems took over the senate and the house in 2007. He was a huge voice on the Iraq war, before GWB and after. You think his statements have been a bit of a mess since becomming V.P. you should check out what came out of his pie hole during these meetings. It would make your jaw drop. Any ways, that is just my opinion, I have no problem with folks having a different one than mine but, at least, just be educated on why you are casting your vote the way you do. Well the hubby should be home at any time. I just dropped in to work on a few articles, I have in the bin. So see ya tomorrow and have a great night.:)
Reply to this comment
8th Jul 2011 (#)
Break down the polarity vote for the third choice always. Just an idea. That was funny, I guess the best we can hope for 'don't completely hate her'. What have we come too?
Reply to this comment