Ok. I am getting really stressed/psyched about the election. Working for a voter registration organization has been really interesting, and it has been getting even more so as November approaches. I stayed in Friday night and watched the debate and I do think that both parties needed to up their games a little bit, but all in all was happy with Obama’s side and the current polls and trends (pollster.com, 270towin.com, etc) are looking up for Democrats. This being said, I have never called myself a Democrat, and I do believe that all politicians must be inherently corrupt, and I do keep a copy of the Communist Manifesto on my shelf… however, I have to remember that what is happening is what is happening, and although we do live in a “democracy”, these two candidates are really who we have to choose from. I support Obama’s tax plan and ideas on Iraq, energy, education, reproduction rights, (repealing) The Patriot Act, trade and healthcare, and I think that if he has the ability to carry them out, a lot of things could actually change in America.
I was first introduced to McCain about eight years ago, when I heard him speak back then, I did not have such a bad impression of the guy. He appeared on The Daily Show a number of times, and most of the time I was impressed by his ability to not be a “generic” conservative, and to speak and listen like a human being. He lost me as soon as he supported the Iraq war, though, and when word of him running for President started up, I wanted to learn more about his positions (mostly out of curiosity, but I am trying not to jump to conclusions these days). McCain, sadly, is totally all about free trade, against Universal Healthcare (or any kind of publicly funded medical care), for nuclear energy (and, evidently, bad at disposing of its waste), is vehemently Pro-Life and wants to overturn Roe v. Wade (read here), is against federal funding of birth control OR sex education (are you kidding me, seriously?), supports the teaching of intelligent design in schools, does not support civil unions of gay couples (let alone marriage), and despite his record of removing troops from Lebanon in the early 80s (among other places/other years) still believes we need to achieve “victory” in Iraq. I cannot support a candidate who holds any of these positions. Ok, he supports stem cell research. Cool.
This coupled with his VP choice of, JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, Sarah Palin… I am really, really hoping for the best.
There is no “ideal candidate” in America. My point here is that there is such a serious inventory of issues I am completely against that McCain believes in, and a good amount of stances Obama has that I completely agree with.
I might delete this.