~ Possible Controversy Ahead ~

I warned you about controversy, so please don't spread flames.

Okay, usually I'm not one to post journals about elections and political garbage. Honestly, I can't wait until all of this election crap is over with so that people who "really care" about me will quit calling my house to get me to vote for Obama or McCain or whichever state representative happens to find my number in a local phone book.

However, this election has gotten so out of hand in the past couple of months that I am going to, without flaming, speak my opinion in the hopes that someone reads and learns something.

The first thing I have to say concerns voters, not parties - wake up and pay attention.
Throughout this election, I've seen so much double-talking that it's ridiculous and it seems that no one is paying attention. People mindlessly stand to clap for their party without even considering what they're saying. I've seen a white man on a platform saying "Obama will not be president because he's not white" and an African-American man standing to clap because of that statement!! What's going on here?!
It's like running platforms and actual policies are out the window - the main thing this race seems to be coming down to is party, color, and gender (we all know it's true, someone might as well say it).

I am begging you - no matter who you are voting for or why, please do not be negligent to do your own research concerning the candidate apart from mainstream media. You cannot simply go and vote party, ethnicity, or gender in this race - it needs to be a well-thought out decision. Do not get carried away in the under-dog syndrome that is saturating this race.
Yes, the first African-American may become president.
Yes, the first woman may become Vice-President.
But put those factors aside - judge them from a uni-sex, clear-colored basis if it helps you think more clearly. Judge them on their record, their beliefs, and their platforms. Match up their beliefs to their history - if they don't match up, dig deeper.

Also, pay attention to the candidate's actions in regards to their character. Take, for instance, the question of citizenship in regards to both parties.
Sen McCain's citizenship was also questioned because he was born in the Panama Canal, but he showed his birth certificate and medical papers to "put whatever fears or concerns you have to rest."
However, we still have yet to see anything from Obama concerning citizenship.
This is NOT a party endorsement - this is a plea for you to look at the Constitution! The Constitution states that no one who is not an American citizen can hold the office of President. Therefore, if this man is not an American citizen and we give him the Presidency, we are opening the doorway for pretty much anyone in the world to come and lead this country because "Sen. Obama did it." At least make him prove his citizenship before he gets the office and there's nothing further we can do about it, or most assuredly there will be consequences.

Experience also needs to be a factor that is heavily weighed in this election. America is in the middle of a war and needs one experienced in both politics and military strategy to help guide her through. Here I will simply point out the obvious.
In an interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, Biden (Obama's running mate) was asked if he thought Obama was ready for the Presidency.
Biden responded: "I think he can be ready, but right now I don't believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training" (ABC's, "This Week," 8/19/07). When asked about this later, he said that he would stand by that statement. He's also stated that he believes Obama will be tested within the first six months of his presidency by the world and that the democrats have to "gird their loins" to stand by his decision, as it will probably be faulty.

Sen. McCain has already proven his experience, both as a soldier/POW and as a senator. His actions have been recounted in the media to the point that I will not waste your time or mine going over what is already known.

Now, I'm not saying that someone who's inexperienced can't hold the office of President. Men who have been inexperienced have done so before and have turned out to be good presidents. But the state of the union needs to be considered along with experience as well.

Again, I am not endorsing any particular party with those statements - I'm simply stating the obvious and what's been said by others already.

So all of that to say this:
Be responsible and vote. But be responsible when you vote.
Whoever you vote for, use your mind, not your emotions.


~Tina