As I sit here tonight watching the final presidential debate of the 2008 election, I realize that I am still one of those who simply can't make up their minds. Yes, I confess, I'm undecided.
I write this confession with trepidation and hesitation. People on either side will be distraught at my lack of insight and intelligence to the obvious choice and will wonder how I am still on the fence (although, truthfully, I do seem to be falling off on one side) when we all know this election has been going on for far too long.
For one, I actually respect both men, mostly because they both want the job. Goodness, I am a little surprised there are actually two people who want to be president. With everything going on, I would assume we'd have to play a bloody game of euchre, and if you can't call the suit, you just screw the dealer.
Seriously, can you imagine the job description for the incoming president? Figure out how to avoid a Millennial Depression (I don't even want to talk about my Roth IRA), have a workable plan for an expensive war (and all the vets coming home), give attention to immigration (please, not another fence...), regain a respectable name in the world while interacting with serious world powers (Russia, China, Iran...), deal with educational deflation (Barack says he'll give my wife a raise...we'll see...), manage the health of the nation and the income of the retired (would I actually be able to go to a dentist?), and to top it off, both sides of the aisle now care about the environment, but each seem clueless as to what could or should actually be done.
I am no serious political mind, but I have some thoughts on this spectrum of issues. And yet, which issue matters most? Aye, there's the rub. I've got just about three weeks left to figure it all out.
If only I'd been chosen as one of those undecideds to hang out with Katie Couric for the evening.
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8 comments:
I, too, am undecided Stephen. But I'm out of time and need to send in my ballot today. What to do? My dilemma is whether to vote for a major candidate or not. If I do, I know who.
And I agree, why would anyone want that job?
I hear you Stephen (and Andrew!). Watching last night's debate I could only think... "Oh God, what do I do?!" So many important issues, how can I KNOW which ones are the most important? I keep hearing that it's unthinkable for anyone to still be undecided. But then, here we are...
There are still 3 weeks.
If the issues you listed are those which are most important to you, I suspect you'll fall on one side of the fence. If those other two issues (you know the ones) are more important, you'll go the other way. But what do I know?
anyonymous, thanks for your comment. you state "you know the ones," but i am afraid i may not. my guess is that one of them is abortion, but i'm at a loss for the other...
Gay marriage!
Anonymous, while issues related to abortion and gay marriage are important and certainly on the public and political radar, I think it is clear that these issues have not been focal points of this election. Both sides have much to say about these two issues, as well as the other pressing issues we currently face on a large scale: economy, international relations, war in Iraq, and education. Because these have been the foci of the campaigns (particularly in recent weeks), this is why I referred to these in my original blog post.
Okay, Stephen....I am weighing in.
Would you say you are conservative in your values? If you are the choice is clear. If you believe the right to life, pro-constitution, less government and more personal responsibility, then McCain is your man.
I understand the issues of the world, I understand the charisma of Obama, but I also know that where he wants to take the United States of America is not the same place that I want the United States of America to go. The future of the Supreme Court hangs on your decision.
Also, I want to be able to help the needy, I want to give money to charity. I would like to have more money to give, not less. Have you seen either Obama's or Biden's charitable giving on their tax returns? Clearly they don't see philanthropy as a personal responsibility, it is a government responsibility. This is wrong!
I could go on and on...I won't.
Do I dare sign my name?
Gale
Gale and her comments .... RIGHT ON! It's so amazing that so many seem to think that there really is a choice? Oh, the CHANGE that may be coming. We will recognize the United States. And we will truly long, yearn for the "good old days"?
RWB
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