Again, it's been a long, long time since I've stepped foot in here. My impetus now is the election of our new president.
To those who know me, it is no surprise that I cannot wait for the current administration to vacate Washington. I am completely ashamed of them. It boggled my mind in 2004. Now, with the 2008 election fast approaching, I am hoping with all my heart, that my fellow countrymen have wised up.
I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of government perfectly. What I know is based on information I receive and the judgement I hold.
I've been mighty impressed with Barack Obama ever since I first noticed him at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Yes, he's an extraordinary speaker. That alone begins his distinction with our current president. Yet, that is not where he begins and ends.
If you've listened to Senator Obama's speeches, you can't help but notice the intelligence and command he has of the complications of political wrangling and government machinations.
President Bush is not running against Sen. Obama, though. Senator McCain is. This is the man who has been known to go against his party in order to do things his way. Then why did his party choose him as their presidential candidate?
The Republicans know the damage GWB has inflicted upon our nation and the ruination of our standing in the world. They want a change. So they figure the man who didn't quite fit perfectly into the Republican suit could be that change for them.
Yet, we have video of Sen. McCain admitting he voted with our president 90% of the time. We also have video of him boasting of how hard he campaigned to get President Bush elected. You can't be change and be in the hip pocket of the one you are so different from, all at the same time.
Then there's the new addition to the political family, Sarah Palin. She sure is pretty. She even sounds like she might know what she's talking about, that is, until you hear the same speech told over and over and over again. Does she have a cord at the back of her head that's pulled right before she sidles up to the microphone?
When is she going to do a press conference? Today she's in Manhattan to meet with a couple of foreign leaders. We're not going to know what they discussed. You see, the media (the big, bad, liberal media) is not allowed near her unless she's making one of her oft repeated speeches, thanks, but no thanks...
I guess she is all about change, too. Social Conservatives believe in traditional family values. That means dad goes to work and mom stays home and raises the kids. Mom could have a job during the day while the kiddies are at school but she's the one who's there when they get home.
So, Ms Change Palin is a working woman. She has a son in the military (and I salute his bravery and courage to be put in harm's way, no matter what I think of his parents' political views). She also has a 17 year old daughter. There's two more younger children in there (school age) and the fifth child is an infant with Downs Syndrome.
I found it difficult to manage a home, a part time job and 2 school age boys and their extra-curricular activities. I am impressed that Governor Palin manages her family and her very important job. What I don't understand is how this jives with Social Conservatism.
The Palin's older son, from what I have garnered on the web, was involved in some mischief involving school buses a couple of years ago. I don't know if this has anything to do with it but he supposedly spent his senior year in Michigan (huh?). Their 2nd child, is expecting a baby. This happens in the best of families. She is keeping the baby and planning on marrying her boyfriend.
Either Gov. Palin's husband is taking over the traditional role of parenting that socially conservative women do or they have lots of help from extended family and/or paid help. That's great but just don't tell me she's a social conservative.
Religion is not my strong suit. What I do know (not believe, but know) is this planet is more than 6,000 years old. I know evolution is the method in which the diversity of life came about. Some people can hold these beliefs and a belief in a supreme being simultaneously. I cannot. Neither can Gov. Palin. She believes in the inerrant nature of the Bible. Gov. Palin (as shown in her testimony on video) has credited a visiting pastor from a church in Africa with success in intervening with God to have her win the election, which put her in the Governor's seat in Alaska.
This pastor professed another one of his successes to be ridding a small African town of its witch. The witch was responsible for the crime and vehicular accidents in this community. She was given a chance to convert to Christianity or leave town (maybe by sundown...like the cowboys used to do it). She opted to leave after this pastor managed to get a large group of people to harass her over the course of a few months. Yes, this pastor believes in witchcraft. He told this story to Gov. Palin's church congregation and she still sought his blessing and intervention for her political campaign.
Let's not get into speaking in tongues and thinking the "end times" are near. Aren't they always? I just want to know why approximately ½ of the voting public wants Senator McCain and Governor Palin in charge of the most powerful country (that is, if it still is the most powerful) in the world.
Before I end, I realize I didn't mention Senator Joseph Biden. Yes, he has his faults but really, can anyone compare Palin to Biden with a straight face?
Barack Obama is relatively new to national politics. We've had the old guard running things (into the ground, I might add, considering the $700 million bailout we are expected to pay). Obama is thoughtful, intelligent, educated, and I believe genuinely the right person for the right time.
All I ask my fellow citizens to do is think about it. If you can come to the conclusion, honestly, that McCain is the right person for our country, then vote for him. I believe most thoughtful people will make the right choice. I just hope there are enough thoughtful people.
