The value of a vote

I hope by now the gravity of this election and the vote you will cast in November is very clear to everyone out there. We are all paying for the hubris and unbridled greed of the last eight years. This includes the those who voted twice for false words and tricks as opposed to substance, and those of us who didn't, but also didn't get involved enough to change the outcome (especially after the first "W" term).

For the past few years I have been saying we need something akin to the French Revolution to get these 'let them eat cake' phonies out of power. It takes "we" the people to stand together to fight the type of injustice we've witnessed. I am so heartened to see the amazing number of people - who have very little to cash spare - donating to the Obama campaign out of the sheer desire for change. It is when you have little and you still give that you speak the loudest.

One comment for the "undecideds" out there. Good God, what are you waiting to hear? That a magical fairy president will make it all go away with no taxes and a wave of the flag? Think again. Yes, you have every right to make up your mind, but I can't think of an election in recent times where there has been so much out there to digest on both candidates. If you are truly that conflicted - and I can't believe I am saying this - don't vote. It is so important that we have informed and committed voters rather than those that just show up and check a random box. Too much is at risk.

Resources for Voters:

By the way, if you want to read a powerful article on the real life and times of John McCain see Rollingstone's October 16th post by Tim Dickinson, "Make Believe Maverick" at:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

Oh yes, don't forget that this election is also in the hands of the electronic voting machines, ballot counters and the ability of folks to get to the polls, get in and have their vote count. There is already a despicable effort to make this more difficult for voters in lower income neighborhoods. A great resource you can download to learn what to do about voter fraud before you hit a snag on election day is the comic book style sine called "Steal Back Your Vote" by Greg Palast and Bobby Kennedy Jr. Get you copy at:

http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/

On the radio the other day I heard and elderly man who called in to say he voted early for Obama to avoid the long lines. He also said in a very choked up voice that after he cast his vote he got in his car and cried because he was so overcome and saddened by this campaign season and by what has happened to his America. I couldn't put it better myself.

Barack and Bruuuuuce!

Here's my all time favorite musician on YouTube speaking in Philadelphia about support for my favorite presidential candidate. Have a look and a listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFnCc20E87g

Debate #2: The professor and the intern

Well folks I have to say the debate was much more than I hoped. No, I don't mean that Sarah Palin was marvelous. She wasn't. I am talking about Joe Biden being the example of what a competent debater and good leader should be. He had the facts, he answered the questions (without winking) and he addressed the falsehoods. I was very comforted. Sarah just made me want to slap a sash on her and vote her in as Miss Congeniality. No substance and all show.

Her calculated ploy at the beginning of the debate was shameless - to ask if she could call the Senator 'Joe' was such an obvious plan of the GOP to keep the word Senator out of the debate so she would "seem" to be on a more equal footing. It might have worked had she not sounded like a parrot that was hoping to get a V.P. Cracker if she repeater what her owners told her to.
"Squawk - environment!"
"Squawk - maverick!"
"Squawk - Palin want a cracker!"

The other annoying aspect was the folksy - down home approach of Gov. Palin. I come from a once factory filled, working class town in Wisconsin. We know what real folks are. We also know when folks are trying to manipulate us and divert our attention to non-essential things. Her responses were so sweet the other night that my poor cousin had to up his insulin shots just to make it through the 90 minutes. Too bad that under the McCain plan he won't be able to afford extra insulin.

Okay - no more jabs - here's the facts folks. You can find Governor Palin and likable as you want. Heck, I'd have a cup of coffee with her. But I don't want an intern doing a manager's job. Our country is facing some of the toughest times I've seen in my 50 years and I was around for the Vietnam debacle. Please don't vote for nice - vote for capable. Vote for informed and vote for a team that isn't connected to what has been a failure for the last 8 years.