For those of you just joining me, I used to be a mouth-frothing Republican. The first president I voted for was Ronald Regan and I was so on board with that. Later, I married a man who worked in politics and I became even more immersed in the Republican party and devoted time, money, and endless effort to various Republicans. Not to mention a huge investment in a lot of black cocktail dresses.
I didn't have this Waterloo moment where I suddenly became a liberal. It happened gradually, with no distinct landmarks along the road.
When Bill Clinton was president, I was doing well, financially. I had people courting me for jobs, headhunters and rival businesses of the one I was working for.
Bill Clinton got a blowjob. He didn't start a war based on lies. And what really happened on 9/11? I've read both sides of the argument and I still don't feel like I've heard a definitive truth.
As my friend Darr pointed out, Hilary is the first viable female candidate for president. I can agree with that. However, I don't trust Hilary. She's too entrenched in the Washington network of behind the scenes deal making. She doesn't personify anything a woman could bring to the job. She's becoming increasingly shrill and manic. Her agenda has all the negative connotations the word "agenda" conjures.
This country needs change. It needs a fresh perspective from someone not entrenched in the "good ole boys" club. It needs someone who's not afraid to think around corners and bring something new to the table. It needs someone who's not making back room deals.
Most of all, it needs someone who addresses the very real issues that are going on here. The economy, the fact that millions of Americans have no health insurance, the fact that we are involved in a war that has no justification. Gas prices are outrageous and what's being done about it? Why hasn't that brought about a revolution? Or at least some workable ideas to make it a reasonable proposition to fill up the tank versus eating beans and macaroni for the week.
Why is it all right for so many big businesses to move overseas? Why isn't there an incentive to keep jobs here, in the States, where they are sorely needed?
Why would Bush threaten to veto the bill that would help people who are losing their homes? It was perfectly fine to make mortgages available without looking seriously at income to debt ratio, the government was all about that, no reins put on that galloping horse. The credit industry turned into the Wild Wild West.
Obama's minister is brought up. I dismiss his rantings. If you are a religious person, do you subscribe to absolutely all the edits your religion dictates and abide by them? Do you agree with absolutely everything your spiritual leader says? I didn't think so. Besides, religion has no place in politics. Division of church and state, remember?
Obama's race is considered an issue by some. I think that for the majority of people, it just doesn't matter. It's a non-issue. Even using it as a consideration is a lame attempt to play the race card.
John McCain is not even a blip on my radar. I've never given a moment's thought to voting for him, or even reading about his policies and what he hopes to accomplish as president because it'd be the same neo-con crap we're living through right now. And hey, how's that working out?
A change will do us all good.