Thinking of November

There is a Chinese curse, which often is said to be a proverb, “May you live in interesting times.” Well we do, perhaps it’s always been so. The past 6 months have proven it, as we head towards the election of 2008. It seems it should be a very serious election during a time of war; even those that are unhappy that we are at war must realize that we are and the outcome matters?

So what do we have? On the more interesting side we have the candidate of self-professed ‘experience.’ Other than proximity, that seems pretty difficult to measure. She got it through osmosis? Or maybe she came upon it by some different type of sex, depending on the definition? Oh yeah, she’d be the first woman elected, that should be a point, but she failed to make that one.

The other candidate on that side, well it seems that he’s selling ‘redemption’ for our tired souls or maybe he’s just trying out for making EMT commercials? No doubt he ‘inspires’, but what has he really said? The only difference I’ve seen between him and Hillary, to his credit, he doesn’t want to force those that choose to go without insurance to pay for it. It’s a point. Did I mention he was black? That wouldn’t stop me from voting for him and I’ve bantered about doing so, but it’s become an issue, as he’d be the first Black president.

The other political party brings less to the table and will likely lose, unless the other side wants to hand it to them. Seems most likely that the nominee will be a 70 year old ‘Maverick’ or firebrand. C’mon, 70 year olds are neither. Crotchety, cranky, immoveable perhaps. Maverick? Not playing. Will I vote for him? I really don’t know.

Why don’t I know? I can list so many reasons not to. Then there are Ms. Experience and Mr. Change. I know that with him conservatism is out the window, but it’s been so with the last two Republican presidents too. It could be argued that Clinton was more conservative than either Bush. What can also be argued is that McCain has more in common with Bush II than I, regarding the War on Terror. I’m well aware that he flirted with a timeline withdrawal of troops, back in 2006, then again, Bush was still stuck with the less is more take on war.

Both of the alternatives are for withdrawal as soon as possible and increasing our taxes, though they differ in what, how, and exactly which groups. Mr. Maverick has a record of somewhat holding spending down, while being cantankerous regarding following conservative issues. All of the leaders, regardless of party will open the amnesty far and wide, leaving the borders open.

So who to vote for?