The election is upon us

Well, the election is upon us. And, I really don't care. Which is depressing, because usually I am a person who cares a lot about politics and our country. But, I am so sick of the same-old-same-old. It saddens me.

I used to be a political science major and was really into politics. I remember being a democrat in high school and not being able to wait to vote. My 12th grade history teacher told class one day, "You're all democrats now, but wait until you make your own money. Then you'll be republicans." I thought, "Ha! He's wrong." But, I did swing to the extreme right for a while when I declared myself a libertarian, eschewing all government except that which is necessary. That viewpoint was strengthened when I was a reporter; I saw so many bad things done by people on welfare/government assistance that it really turned me off to government, and to people in general. Despite working 60 hours a week for pennies, I was not eligible for any assistance and subsided off top ramen for 2 years. Boy, I was thin back then. I remember one point when I though, "Wow, I actually like being hungry." Crazy me. But boy, did I look good! :)

After joining the Sheriff's Office I switched over *gasp* to the Republican party. I saw we needed more government than just the bare essentials. Working for the sheriff's department I saw even more bad things then as a reporter, which permanently turned me off to Northern California.

George Bush was elected. And then, reelected, gasp, despite the fact that I, even as a new recruit into the Republican party, couldn't stand the man. What a fool! During the governor's election I started getting calls from all these republicans about all these issues I didn't agree with them on--gay marriage, for example. Who cares who gets married? Get over the phobia already! So, I switched to independent and am still one.

So, I decided to give this election a chance and watch the debates. Obama and McCains was boring. Bidens and Palin's was a little more interesting. I am really leaning toward voting for Obama because I agree with him on so many more issues than McCain. However I have to express my utter disappointment that he is anti-gay marriage (as said by Biden) when everything he says in the past says that he is pro. Now, gay marriage isn't something I am going to die on the cross for. But, I thought Obama was campaigning on the whole "change" ticket, and turns out, the man isn't for changing one of the biggest civil rights issues of our day. Turns out, he's just another politician, willing to sacrifice his own opinion to get votes, to parade himself as one man to some and another to the rest. Disappointing.

I complained to my husband, who said, "This is why I never vote." Maybe he has a point after all.

Speaking of politics, Beth lost the election and was devestated. Turns out, the girl who won promised to bring candy back. The district has a no-sweets policy, so the chances of this happening are slim to none. Beth declared, "It's not fair! She lied! There's no way candy can come back." Poor Beth, learning the tough lessons of politics at such an early age.