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.

Obama vs. McSame

I can't say that it was the most inspiring debate I've ever heard, but the debate really couldn't be inspiring. We need more than a cheerleader to run this country (or a demented cowboy like we have had for the last 8 years). We're in it too deep for the usual campaign rhetoric and touching stories - I wish someone had told Senator McCain.

I tried hard to listen to McCain's plan for our country but I could barely find one. Instead I found a nice old guy who seemed peeved and wouldn't even look Senator Obama in the eye. He spoke of how we need to do "something" and I never got much of a sense of what that something is. Instead I heard a lot of "he's wrong" and "he doesn't know" directed at Barack Obama. It is the usual school kid trick of trying to sound tough without anything to back it up. I think he learned that from his mentor George Bush the king of huff and puff.

I was also not impressed by the Christmas card list of people Senator McCain knows being brought up throughout the debate. Satyric example: "Back in aught 5 Henry Kissinger and I shared a salami sandwich near the reflecting pool while we discussed how much we love our country and how bad those foreigners are." So tell me, how is this going to solve the our policy issues and end the endless war? Where was the substance? How can you love something and not protect it? We're hurting out here. Hello!

I appreciate Senator Obama looking the America people in the eye and giving us details. I want a leader who will lay it out there for discussion and not pretend to have answers. Sure it is easier to criticize a plan that is out in the open than no plan at all - which is the safe road McCain plays. If he doesn't tell them what he wants to do, they can say it is wrong.

We need to elect a leader in the White House who is willing to put the guns and the threats down for a while and attempt diplomatic discussions. I seem to remember that working pretty well for leaders in the past (current incumbent not included).

Senator McCain is a nice man - so go have a beer with him but for heaven sake, don't' vote for nice, vote for capable and prepared.

P.S. On that note, I cannot wait to hear Senator Biden and Governor Barbie in the next debate.

Hiding under the "Bush"

Like most American's out there I have to leave for work soon. Except maybe for the poor folks at Lehman's who lost their jobs.
I am going to continue this blog later when I have more time. Right now I have a though for the day...

Where the hell is George Bush in all this mess?

The only people I see answering questions about the economy are Barack Obama and McCain. Where is the man who has let this country go down the toilet for the last 8 years while he played cowboy in the wrong country fighting an oil-driven war. Boy, that strategy has done the American people well, hasn't it? As we see our tax dollars go to bailing out AIG and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, any retirement we may have had be in jeopardy and nothing being saved for our seniors and our children. Nice job keeping and eye on the American economy Georgie.

I find it laughable and scary that anyone would even think of voting in another republican candidate with the chaos they have left in their wake from 8 years of their leadership. People don't change over night. Political parties don't change over night. John McCain will not change over night. And don't get me started on Sarah Palin. We need new leadership. Please don't throw away your vote this year by hoping the republicans got it. A boss would not let an employee mess up for 8 years and keep him or her on the job. Teachers will not let a student fail for 8 years before stepping in. Let's be responsible voters and think about what really matters in the future.

Look at the headlines and see if what has been in office is working for you.