Voting
I had planned on not voting this year. Normally I would berate others for coming to this decision, but I think about it like this: While one might say that folks that don't vote don't have any right to complain about who gets in, I could counter with the fact that we're faced with two candidates who, in my opinion, are not qualified for the job
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I of course have my own arguments for Obama, as well as things about him I don't agree with. I do think, however, that the experience debate has been very media-hyped. Having a ton of experience doesn't equate with quality or ability to run shit. Dick Cheney (who, let's face it, basically co-ran the Presidency) had an entire life devoted to politics and the military, and look at all the shit he bungled. Further, what he DID succeed in undermined the constitution, and ushered in an era of fear and mistrust amongst Americans.
I also question what people meant by "Experience." Obama pulled himself up by his bootstraps, went to law school, was a community organizer, graduated with honors, and has an insane IQ. He's also been Senator of a politically powerful state. I would argue that the specific experiences that shape the candidate are also important. After all, John McCain has years of service wrought with crooked deals - until he got caught getting kickbacks and then of course started a crusade on crooks in office. I would hardly call that experience something that helps groom you for the highest office in the country!
The huge difference for me though has been the policies of the candidates. This isn't American Idol - you have to hear what they say, as well as fact check their consistency. Whichever one seems like the best options to you is where you should go as well. All candidates update and modify their positions, but anyone who was down with the Kerry 2004 Flip-Flop just has to listen to McCain. All of the sudden, he's talking about being a renegade and distributing wealth, when he's ridden off the coattales of the Bushes just like everyone else. He was forced to be a renegade by running against their machine in 2004 (a really dirty fucking election, even amongst the Republicans) but his policies were really not that different. He's more separate from the Christian element, but I argue that that's what Palin is for. Anyway, candidates modify their positions, but you need to get a good idea of their voting records.
I have been down with Obama since I took Molly to the Darfur rally while he was still a Senator, so I make no bones about my opinion. ;-p
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