Now the progress and the retreat

The election was a euphoric and wondrous event for me and many Americans. It renewed my faith in the democratic process. Sorry for all the disgruntled GOP's out there who are bewildered and angry. The pendulum had to swing back eventually. No one can have their way all the time in a democracy.

But what we have is an imperfect system. The two party system is a failure to us all. It's become a wrestling match between two sides and nothing to stop the dirty tricks. I used to be a Republican way back when. I still embrace much of the fiscally conservative ideals of the party from over 20 years ago. But I do not have any affinity for the social agenda of the Republican party of now. The GOP's solid embrace of the very vocal minority of religious extremists has finally been it's undoing. The emotional tactics used by the party to instill fear in people are very effective, yet those people go to the polls with their brains off. I think the socially conservative Christian's should have their own party and I think the two parties that currently dominate should share with other parties. I also disagree with the social platform of the GOP because it has no understanding or care for those in need. It is women and children who are thrust into poverty by so many conditions beyond their control. The American dream of working hard and getting ahead is a myth to some. The ways to realize this dream are real and possible, but not very many people know how to do it, and the weakest in our society suffer from that.

But the average American worker is at a disadvantage too. Lot's of things must change or we will lose our status at the top rung of the ladder in world leadership and economic strength. It can't be fixed in 4 years or 8. But it can be fixed. I don't claim to know the answers. One things seems right to me one day, and another the next. Less government here more there. I don't necessarily know the answer. I do know that fear, hate, and oppression are not part of the answer, but they are getting in the way of it.

Thank you John McCain

The Republicans try to trump the Democrats aces by nominating a woman to be McCains VP running mate. The Rebulicans only seem to show an interest in social change when social change might win them a few disgruntled votes. The problems with Palin aren't just her lack of political experience. Palin fails to represent what disapointed Hillary supporters believe in. Palin does not support women's rights. The only women I see getting excited about her are women who vote republican anyway. I say thank you to John McCain because by nominating Palin, I believe he sealed Obamas successful election to the White House in November. The very few Hillary supporters that pledged their disgruntled support of McCain may not care about a woman's right to choose, or being paid .72 cents for every dollar that a man with the same qualifications makes. But the vast majority of Hillary supporters do care. We supported Hillary because she supports OUR issues, as does Obama. Palin supports conservative Republican issues.

McCain may hope that the working mother that Palin is will appeal to those of us who balance work with families. I see Palin sacrificing the well being of her 5 month old infant for her career. Perhaps governing Alaska allows her to attend to her job as a mother still, but running a presidential election campaign will not. Her 5 month old disabled son will spend many days and nights in the arms of a paid caregiver, not his mother, getting his nourishment from a bottle of formula. Careers are important but motherhood is paramount. It's funny that a socially liberal woman such as myself says this about a conservative woman such as Palin. I'm a big believer in attachment parenting and breastfeeding. I firmly believe that when we have children our duty to them comes first and to ourselves and our careers, second. No woman, no matter how skilled or well staffed, can be both a great political leader and a great mother of an infant. Older children are easier to parent with a working mother, but an infant needs his mothers constant presence. Will Palin take her son in a bouncer seat or a sling to the senate floor? Not likely.

Presidentials

Write in Hillary. No actually support Obama. It's time to end the senselessness in the White House right now and get the Bush's and his clones out.