2009.11.02
Traud: A new voter heads to the polls
My daughter, the voter
Luanne Traud
Traud is a member of The Roanoke Times editorial board.
As the teenager rambled on about her day, I was only half listening until I caught, " ... and, oh yeah, I found out today at school I'm a Libertarian. What I couldn't figure out is why they asked what we thought about pornography and sex between consenting adults. Do you know?" Huh? Libertarian? Porn? Sex? Who's "they"? They, it turns out, is the very same school that yanked a book off the library shelf because a father was upset by his son reading it. I've since read "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and found it a deftly told tale of difficult, sensitive subjects. We would all wish to shield our children not only from incest and sexual assault but from the knowledge that such horrendous crimes occur. But, ignorance is not in anyone's best interest. The book handles the topic and adolescent dalliances into sex, drugs and "Rocky Horror Picture Show" with great care.
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If the site has Adolf Hilter as an example of the right, it's screwed up to begin with.
The right emphasizes the least invasive government possible. Does anyone believe the Nazis were not invasive?
If your daughter votes the way you do, she, most assuredly, is not a libertarian.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 8:47 am
Suzie, please go look up facism vs. socialism and communisim. Perhaps you will have a better understanding of their political positions and how opposite they are. This will help your diatribes make more sense.
Comment by Richard — November 2, 2009 @ 9:03 am
I know what all the terms mean, Richard. They aren't that far apart. All involve total or near-total government control. If you want the opposite end of the spectrum, you'd have to include "conservatism" which is minimal government control.
Comment by Suzie — November 2, 2009 @ 9:22 am
Agree to disagree, centered in reality.
I absolutely loved your editorial.
Great job on being able to express all 'that' in a focused & informative share!
Comment by Flow — November 2, 2009 @ 10:50 am
One is Govt run by the wealthy businessmen as I recall, that is also what Conservativism means here.
Comment by Richard — November 2, 2009 @ 10:55 am
#1 You are flat out wrong and I too would say, read some German history. The Nazi's where of the right. What they did in Germany to get rid of labor unions, and those of the left. Its all there for you to read.
But back to the story...... the mother said one thing that I think is a good out come. That is, it got her daughter to think for herself. Good for you Mom!
Comment by Bill Hudson — November 2, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
Congrats, Luanne, on the milestone. I am sure you will be proud of your daughter as she goes to the polls for the first time tomorrow. Hopefully, we can get more of our young adults to be as responsible and express their opinion at the ballot box.
Comment by Mike — November 2, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
Mike check endorsement blog for the tx cut list you requested at 2:09
Comment by Richard — November 2, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
Thanks, Richard...But none of the incentives you posted were a tax cut to those who make less than $250,000. Instead they were a laundry list of tax rewards for people who engage in certain behaviors (including those who make *more* than $250k) like van pooling, using a biomass stove, buying local bonds, etc.
No tax cut yet for those making under $250k.
Comment by Mike — November 2, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
While I congratulate the young Traud, I also warn that this means another round of robo-calls and pointless flyers to the Traud household come election season.
I hope she enjoys her first opportunity to vote tomorrow!
Comment by Ed S. — November 2, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
Sorry Fascism is extreme Right, Anarchy is extreme left. Less extreme on the left side is Socialism and Communism. This is a common belief held by just about every textbook on the subject. Don't believe it if you want, but you'd be in the extreme minority.
Comment by scott — November 2, 2009 @ 7:36 pm