Being the kid of a political junkie, Justin hasn’t experienced much political apathy.
In the 21 months since he asked me the question,“Dad, Who will you vote for?” he’s been involved in the political season that culminated last night with Barack Obama’s inspirational win.
Justin accompanied me to our local polling location, waited in line with me for about 30 minutes in the early morning chill, and held my sample ballot while he watched me participate in democracy.
While waiting in line, and in typical 12 year-old fashion, he asked, “How many McCain supporters do you think are here?”
I said there was no way to tell; that people don’t look Republican or Democratic. They’re all citizens interested in casting their vote for the candidate they hope would bring change to America.
Later in the evening he sat beside me watching election returns. He also sang a short song he’d composed about Barack Obama winning the election. That told me that 1) he’s been listening to the political conversation and 2) he’s more likely to be politically engaged in the ensuing years.
That makes me happy.
We sat and listened to both John McCain’s concession speech and President-elect Obama’s acceptance. I continually wiped tears from my cheeks, moved by the tremendous step forward this country had the courage to take yesterday.
He looked at me and said, “I really am witnessing history, aren’t I Dad?”
I hugged him and softly whispered, “Yes, son. You are.”
Um, yeah. I’ll believe it when I see it, Baz.
OK, I admit it, I’ve been rabid about the candidacy of Barack Obama. Not because he’s the Messiah, but because (partly) the alternatives are so incredibly horrible.
Add the endorsement last Sunday of Gen. Colin Powell - a thinking Republican - and that of Michael Smerconish -a conservative Republican radio talk show host- and you can see why I’m bullish on this.
If I were to really lay off all election stuff, I’d not mention the incredibly racist comments of Comedian Rush Limbaugh over the weekend, Rep. Bachman’s (R-Mn) call for McCarthyesque “anti-American” test for all members of congress or how the state of Maine’s US Sentators asked McCain to stop the robocalling in their state.
Having said that, it feels like it’s time to move on to othe topics of interest. Topics like…oh, let’s see….parenting, dating, kids, simplicity, productivity…you know…all those things I say in the little blurb to the right. 
Rush Limbaugh is a big fat idiot.
OK, sorry. That was absolutely last election-related, Tourette-like outburst. Promise.
Here’s one my favorite quotes from this election season. It comes from Fareed Zakaria of both CNN and Newsweek Magazine.
“Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be vice president. She is a feisty, charismatic politician who has done some good things in Alaska. But she has never spent a day thinking about any important national or international issue, and this is a hell of a time to start.”
Click here to read the entire column in Newsweek.
If you needed another credible reason to reject the McCain-Palin bid for leadership of this nation, look no further than this:
The health care benefits you already pay for through employer paycheck deductions will be taxed and you’ll take home less money than you do today.
Please watch this 15-20 second video…. Read the rest of this entry
The race for the Presidency of the United States is heating up and polarizing this country into two groups.
One the right of the political spectrum you have the conservative Republican party led by nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona. He’s endorsed by such GOP stars as George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and that moose-hunter from Wasilla.
On the left, there is Senator Barack Obama of Illinois and Senator Joe Biden of Connecticut. They’re supported by Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic party.
I believe you ought be able to articulate why you support a certain candidate. In that regard, here are my reasons for supporting Barack Obama for President. Read the rest of this entry
