I love politics. Really. The West Wing? My favorite show for 7 years. For the record I am a registered Republican but have not always voted that way. But here's the thing, I am not thrilled with my current choices of presidential candidates. So unexcited that two months ago, my mother was lecturing me on my decision to support a Libertarian third-party candidate. A vote for the other guy and all that.
Fundamentally I disagree with how the Democrats want to run government. Being from Alabama, I'm proud of my southern heritage that is staunchly sided with state's rights (which also includes small government, low taxes & a big military -- you know, walk softly but carry an armored tank division). But I am in awe of the blatant ninny-ness of the Republicans. Really old GOP, you can't let the new guys play? You gonna take your toys and go home? Ridiculous. And a great way to split the vote so the other party wins, *hand clapping* that brilliant strategy from Colorado.
The Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, regardless of the good in it, and there is lots of good in it, offends me because it denies me the liberty to choose for myself. On the other hand, I watched the president makes decisions in Afghanistan that were as ballsy as any President Bush would have made. What he has done to advance the cause of Veterans is also impressive. In the last four years, when I applied for a civilian position with the US Air Force, of which I am a 10-year Veteran, I couldn't make the list -- even for jobs I once held on active duty. With the VEOA and VRA, I'm showing up on lists right and left. This has been the story with lots of folks I know -- an great effort to lessen the Veteran joblessness rate of well over 15%.
Governor Romney's jaunt through Europe and Israel this summer made me cringe with embarrassment. I'm not sure what makes you ready to be a diplomat but I would have thought the CEO of a major international corporation could do better. On the good side, I firmly believe that a business man has better prospects for changing the economy than a lawyer. Then again, I'm not totally convinced he'll implement policies to help folks like you and me.
All that being said, the debates last night showed a prepared Mitt Romney who did articulate a plan. Not really a detailed plan but enough of a plan with enough statistics and data to show he knows what the heck he's talking about if the topic is the economy. And face it, with unemployment at 8% and in some counties in Alabama, it's above 20%, no one cares about social issues when they can't put food in their bellies or the bellies of their children.
And the most defining thing for the debates last night was the clarity with which Mitt Romney wants to be president and how President Obama is shocked by that. Mind's not changed yet but at least I have something to think about.
