A Vote for the People
UPDATE
When push came to shove, I ended up voting the most non-partison ballot of my life. Of all my selections, every issue and candidate went the other way. Republican Kendall county has once again shown that taxation is the rule of the day. (Excuse us Mr. OConnor as we reach into your pocket further...)
My initial re-action to the Democrat sweep is one of optimism. The voters let the Republican administration know they were not satisfied with the current course of action regarding a myriad of issues including Iraq, energy, and immigration. Change was in their hearts (the voters) and change is what they got. I now only hope they do right by the power we've granted them.
END UPDATE
Here it is shortly after 1:00 on Election Day and I'm still not sure exactly whom or what issues I'll be pulling the lever for this evening.
The last couple of elections have really soured me on the supporting one party policy. As a Republican, the GOP no longer represents many of my views. They have become to indoctrinated by the conservative, fundamentalist Christian sect looking to impose their morale views on the rest of the country. The party has supported the consolidation of power at the executive level, thereby weakening our long established system of checks and balances. Republicans have also launched a major frontal assault on personal liberty under the pretense that it is necessary in order for our nation to be secure. Then there's the war in Iraq and immigration.
Republican mouthpieces would have us believe that a vote for the Democrats will only make things worse. We'll be taxed into oblivion so that government can bring about all sorts of disincentive programs for those less inclined to make their own way, some of those individuals not even citizens of this country. To me the difference between the two parties is not that black and white.
Democrats don't paint a much rosier picture. In my opinion they're still the party of big government and all of the necessary programs needed to support it. And to tell you the truth, that scares the hell out of me. Although I feel that the United States is moving closer to a caste system, something I'm against, I'm still not ready to support the idea of wealth redistribution of the magnitude that many Democrats favor.
About the only thing the Democrats can hang their hat on is that they have not been in power, i.e. control of the White House and the Congress, over the last few years and thus can claim they are not responsible for the situation that our country is in. From my viewpoint, that's not a ringing endorsement.
Then there are the Greens, whom the Republicans want you to vote for as they feel it takes votes away from the Democrats ensuring another two years of GOP control. The Greens are the red-headed stepchild of political parties, offering some very interesting ideas but sporting the moniker of "can't win" so no ones willing to lay their money down. It's still a two horse race, ones pulled up lame, and the other slower horse is convinced he's doing everything right because he's in the lead.
What I do know is that I don't know. Change for the sake of change is rarely the right course of action but sometimes you just have to take your chances. Either way, it's a gamble and I'm only hoping for some clarity before I enter the booth.