Election day is finally here. My friend Jonathan called me last night wondering what I was going to write this morning. My apologies for not calling him back but I wanted this to be debuted here not elsewhere!
This election has been one of the most interesting ones that I can remember. The idea of change we can believe in didn't work for me though. I didn't see either party putting up a platform that I thought was truly change. (Granted the Dems platform this year was much better than 4 years ago...when they didn't even have one!)
First of all, I did not vote for McCain/Palin. I highly respect John McCain for everything he has done but at his age, I cannot imagine him living through a 4 year presidency unscathed health-wise. That would leave us with Sarah Palin taking a much larger role in the White House. That I am not comfortable with because of her lack of experience and her communication skills have left me unsure about what she would actually do in the White House.
Second of all, I did not vote for Obama/Biden. Obama's lack of experience scared me. He is a powerful speaker that will definitely infuse hope in the nation but I am not sure what he would do after that! Growing up in Maryland, I have seen Biden's work and was not impressed along with his plagiarism. (Being a former English teacher, plagiarism is a big no-no!)
That didn't leave me with any option in the major parties that I felt comfortable with. Beyond that, I truly believe that we need a 3rd party option.
I ended up choosing this guy http://www.bobbarr2008.com/issues.
I don't agree with everything he stands for but if we are going for change, we need to do something different than the two parties we currently have because I don't really see much difference between the two.
A third...or even fourth party...would be helpful to truly change. I cast my vote to start that process.
Discuss amongst yourselves.....(and sorry Jon...but at least I didn't vote Republican right?:))
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4 comments:
Barr's a good choice. I voted for Harry Browne in 1996, so I do not believe that third-party votes are throwaways, but rather important statements, and certainly better than not voting.
I have issues with McCain, but as I've stated before, Obama, Reid, and Pelosi operating unchecked scare me. I believe in allowing businesses the financial and regulatory space to create jobs. I believe in free trade, and in not breaking our good-faith pacts with our allies. I believe in court justices in the Roberts mold. I do not care what oh-so-cosmopolitan Europeans or the UN think of America. And in a time of economic upheaval, I actually think divided government is a good idea. Think of the Reagan-O'Neill years or the last 6 years of Clinton-Gingrich. Compromise works, and tempers the extremes of both sides.
Obama will win tonight, and I do think we're in for a sharp shift to the left: toward a firmer government hand in private business, toward welfare masquerading as tax and Social Security "fairness," and toward a return of the (shudder) Fairness Doctrine. Still, I will hope for the best. As a symbol, Obama is a good one; it's good that we can present a post-racial face to the world. But I cannot support him on substance.
Jonathan, I'm prepared for you to mock this statement, but I don't care, and you may have the last word: I believe in Sarah Palin. I trust her character in every way I don't trust Barack's. She may never get a fair shake from the media, but she enjoys wide support among the conservative base for many sensible reasons. I believe this campaign experience, and four more years of seasoning, will serve her well. I will be proud to vote, say, Palin-Jindal in 2012.
Again, Mike, good call on Barr. I can't pull that lever myself this year, but I respect it a lot. See you in the new America.
Michael,
I applaud yuor bravery in disclosing your vote publicly. Barr has some interesting opinions - though I disagree with much of his platform, it was good of you to bring him up, and bring his platform to our attention...
... a little late.
Unfortunately, Barr does not have a chance in this election cycle. And bringing attention to him after you vote makes it difficult to make so many of the obvious changes that are needed (I do agree with Barr's stance on the three current wars, for instance).
As for Palin, I think her own staff called her a difficult 'diva'. 'Nuff said for now.
If you want to have a little fun you may want to check out the following URL:
http://www.palinaspresident.us/
GOBAMA!
Jonathan
While I think the last eight years have been tragic for out country, I must point out one good thing I noticed today. More Missourians are voting than ever before. Happily, many of us waited in line FOR HOURS to cast our vote.
Indeed, W did spread democracy. Just not the way he intended to.
Latest revelations on Palin - the gift that keeps on giving!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/05/palin-once-greeted-mccain_n_141394.html
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