How Far We’ve Come
I’ve been riding motorcycles for a long time and I thought I’d seen quite a lot over the years, but this takes the cake. This years Presidential candidates are bickering over bikers and motorcycles. It used to be that the only motorcyclists politicians noticed were Officer Poncherello and Baker riding on them as escorts in motorcades.
Oh they did notice that some of us took the phrase “The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave” literally as they tried to coerce every state into passing mandatory helmet laws.
Then someone realized that lots of motorcyclists were actually registered to vote! Whoa nellie, we better throw them some bones to keep them happy (and voting) so President Reagan signed a tariff law that helped motorcycle icon Harley-Davidson fend off foreign import dumping of motorcycles. Of course there was a photo op at the factory with the Prez and a bike.
Flash Forward to Today
Now one of the candidates shows up at Sturgis—there’s a place full of motorcyclists and potential votes. We’ve come a long way baby! I wonder, did he ride a bike there and did he stay for the wet t-shirt contest?
Come this November exercise your American right and vote for the candidate of your choice. Like a wise man told me years ago, “If you don’t vote, then don’t bitch!”
13/08/2008 at 11:03 am Permalink
I’ve never missed voting. I’ve voted in every election, Presidential or local since I turned 18 (long time). I’ve earned the right to bitch, and do quite frequently. I also stumbled upon this website: http://www.naghsr.org/html/stateinfo/laws/helmet_laws.html and I though some people might find it interesting.
13/08/2008 at 5:44 pm Permalink
I can remember when taking your own personal safety into consideration was an individual right and not the right of the government. Don’t misunderstand me! I wear a helmet and I wear my seat belt, but that is my decision and should remain my decision. Thanks for the page MM.
13/08/2008 at 7:23 pm Permalink
I’d vote if I thought there was someone to vote for.
14/08/2008 at 9:00 am Permalink
The choices is this election are awful!
Perhaps we’d be better off “out-sourcing” the presidency. We could do some searches/interviews in China and India.
Seems all big businesses do it, and get more bang for their buck. At least in theory, although the reality is the USA suffers with more cash leaving the coming into the country.
15/08/2008 at 5:31 am Permalink
McBill, glad to see someone has a sense of humor and can make light of the subject. Or are you serious?
Your right though, more out—than in is never a good idea for country or household. China, Japan and India severely tax our exports in their countries—why not tax things like foreign car makers and help the American car makers a little? Just a thought. I’m no political or economic genius, but I do believe that if we continue to be a take society and give nothing back—things will only get worse. Increase exports and American made products, practice energy conservation and stop trying to police the world. Sound good?
Does to my simple mind. I guess that’s why I typically stay out of political and economical debates.