My vote

Ok, reader, here is the promised revelation - who I voted for and why. I know I said I wasn't going to pontificate about weighty subjects in this blog, but I just can't help myself. It's a tendency toward self destruction that compels me into the breach, so to speak, and I have to answer the death wish. So, who did he vote for, you ask.



After years of soul searching, arduous hours spent in libraries across the nation, endless months of in-depth interviews with political pundits from all areas of this great country, un-numbered sleepless nights, four and a half gallons of ulcer medication, a pre-lobotomy, I was able to cast my vote for........(insert drum roll here)........Obama!



And now, why - why vote for Obama? Because I once had a small terrier named Obama and I liked him, so I figured I'd like Senator Obama too. Well, there you have it, the truth at last. I feel better now, not having to live a life of deceit and lies, covering up my latent liberalism. At last, I'm out of the closet!!!!



Well, not really. Because, I don't really subscribe to the liberal idea of bigger government or of voting ourselves onto the dole. I would prefer effective government - not bigger or smaller - and I think everyone should be willing to work and stand on his or her own feet. At the same time, we should be willing to help those who are unable to fend for themselves, for whatever reason. Social programs are essential to a civilized society. The extent of those programs are what separate the Democrats from the Republicans. I also believe that capitalism is the best system for helping everyone who is willing to work and elevate themselves. Having said all that, and there is plenty more that can be said, but time and inclination limit me, so, just let me say, for the most part, I am sympathetic to the Republicans, but, and this is a big but, I vote more for the candidate rather than the party.



And, the biggest factor that determines who will receive my vote, is the character and temperament of the candidate. I've determined through the years that every candidate says things that he thinks will get him elected. Perhaps he does really believe he'll accomplish those things he promised, or maybe he doesn't - the reality is that he probably won't be able to regardless. He has a congress to sway, reality to confront, and when dealing with other people, one just can't always get what he wants. Given that, I have decided to just vote for the man, or woman, who I think will be a good president. Who will represent the will of the American people; who will embody the qualities of a true leader and American; who will represent the American people to the rest of the world as we would wish to be represented; who will stand strong against tyranny and brutish dictatorships and those who would impose their wills upon other, weaker nations; who will, at the same time, be willing to negotiate when there is a chance for a peaceful resolution before rushing to judgement and war. I saw Senator Obama as that man. I also saw Governor Romney as that man, but I didn't get a chance to vote for him. Had Romney been nominated as the Repulican candidate, I would have had an easier time of making my selection. But, in my opinion, Senator McCain was too close to Bush and his doctrine and would have been at least four more years of the same rhetoric.

I think by electing Senator Obama, America sent a message to the rest of the world that we didn't want to be represented as sword rattling, loud talking, inarticulate bullies. That we, the American People, did not care for the policies of the Bush administration, nor did we care for the way he handled himself in public and in dealing with the rest of the world. I think that message had to be sent in order to preserve our standing in the world as the greatest nation to have ever been established.



So, there you are, dear reader, that small piece of reason amid the clutter of an addled brain that you've stuck around for all these many days. I hope it was worth the wait.



I'll try to keep my next post to a lighter hue, such as Hefner or Jackman. (yes, I know that's not the way you spell Hugh, but the hominim had some humor, don't you think?)

One last bit of wisdom. A young father was teaching his five year old son the story of Lot and his wife. He explained, "The Lord told Lot to take his wife and flee from the city of Soddom. As they were leaving, Lot's wife turned to look back, and was turned to a pillar of salt." The son looked at his dad and asked, "what happened to the flea?"

I'll leave you to ponder that philosophical question - What happened to the flea?

See ya in the ether.