As Seen On The Bathroom Wall

“Do you want to keep it and invest it in your future, or have it taken by the most liberal person to ever run for the Presidency, and the Democratic leaders who have been running Congress for the past two years — Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid?”

The above is a statement made today by Presidential Nominee, John McCain.

Hey, John, I'm not sure where you've been the past eight years, but just in case you weren't aware, people in the US don't exactly have much money to invest anymore. The country owes more money now than it did when the first Bush was in office, the jobless rate is increasing exponentially, and outsourcing has never been higher or more prevalent.

Also, you cannot expect the people of this country (those with working cerebellums anyway) to actually believe that the Democrats having minimal control of the house and senate have something to do with the tax guzzling wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the failed banking system (which the Republicans only helped along by not passing regulatory measures in 2005), or the low approval ratings of Republicans nationwide... can you?

I know you've only been a senator for a couple of decades, but just in case you weren't aware, the house and senate need a much larger majority than they have in order to get certain measures passed, and even when they do, they still need the approval of the President who, just in case you might have missed it, is a Republican.

So sure, you might want to blame the Democrats for the way the current state of economic turmoil this country is in, but remember that while you're pointing one finger at us, three more are pointing right back at you. And this, "my friend", is from a real American citizen, who isn't a six-pack of silver bullets or boxed wine drinking voter. Which brings me to my last point, why is it that everyone who seems to be "Pro-America" a.k.a. McCain/Palin is always referred to as Alcohol-related Somebody? If you need to be chemically altered in order to be able to agree with their policies, perhaps it's time to put down the Franzia and start drinking a little H2O because you're going to need a clear head in order to vote for the right candidate.

Before I get started, let me make it quite clear that I am not Joe the Plumber. I never have been a Joe, never been a plumber, and never have had an interest in plumbing with a guy named Joe. I had a grandfather-in-law whose name was Joe, and a cousin whose name is Joe, and another cousin whose name means Joe, but I have never been, not now, not ever, Joe.

Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let me ask John McCain and Sarah Palin why is it that Universal Health Care for the American Citizens of this country who work hard and pay taxes simply not good policy, a form of "socialism" if you will, but they have no problem with accepting UHC for themselves, paid for by our tax dollars?

Why is it that they deserve health care, but not Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, Jane Franzia and their children?

Why is it, Sarah Palin, that Joe the Plumber, Joe Six Pack, and Jane Franzia cannot submit to their employers itemized bills demanding reimbursement of travel costs, while you can?

Why is it, Sarah Palin, that you seem to think that it's okay to tell the people of this country that Obama and Biden wouldn't be fiscally responsible, while you go on a $76k shopping spree (paid for by Joe and Jane out of their necessary beer funds) for clothes?

Why is it, John McCain, that you want to talk to us about the sanctity of marriage, and yet you couldn't keep the sanctity of your own marriage vows?

Why is it, John McCain and Sarah Palin, that anyone who votes for you is "Pro-American" and part of "True America", and yet those who find your hypocrisy and double standards unappealing and un-Christian aren't?

The first presidential debate of the election season between the two primary candidates happened last night. To say that it was anti-climactic would be an understatement. It was truly disappointing, undeniably so.

I didn't expect to have my opinion, my choice on which candidate I'm voting for to be swayed, and I have remained firm in my decision, but the reality, the gravity of the situation is that neither candidate has done enough to strengthen their hold and gain new ground. And yes, that was a very long sentence, but still rang with enough truth to make it warranted.

I lean more left than I do right, but I'm not a complete liberal. Most of my far left friends believe that I am way too conservative for my own good. Or theirs. Then there are my far right friends who believe that I am too liberal. It's a catch-22, being independent, but the fact of the matter is, both sides have too many problems for me to believe wholly in either of them.

So where does that leave me? I am still voting for Obama. His policies aren't aligning completely with what I'd like to see, but he's definitely more in line with my train of thought with regards to the certain topics than McCain. Then again, as soon as McCain chose Sarah Palin to be his running mate, he lost any and all hope of ever winning my vote. Sarah Palin wouldn't have a problem with repealing the right for women to vote, she's so hell bent on sending women back a few centuries, and I cannot, as a woman, and a mother of future women, stand idly by and let that happen. Especially not by a woman.

So, debate or no, I haven't changed. Unfortunately, nothing else has either.

... Mush mouthed, flip flopping, double standard having, hypocrtical puddin.

Mahalo to Meg for this:

...that we're not all Hockey moms with 5 kids.

I'm disappointed in Sarah Palin. Her speech, monumental in its achievement, and historical in its moment, was down right anti-climactic and flat. Unbelievably flat.

She spoke about her experience as Governor of the largest state in the Nation...with one of the smallest populations. She spoke of how she took a surplus of money that came in from oil production and gave it back to the people, as though she made the personal decision to do so...never mind that it's already in the State constitution. She spoke about being a Hockey mom, about having chosen to give birth to a child with down syndrome, about how she married her high school sweetheart.

That's all fine and well, but is she looking to win the position of Vice President or is she writing a letter to Dr. Laura? This is the position automatically next in line should the President become unable to continue to serve, and I'm not exactly comfortable with a Dr. Laura caller who has no problem telling ME that the only way to prevent teenage pregnancy is to teach abstinence only sex-education, and then proudly announce that her 17 year old daughter is pregnant herself. I have a problem with someone trying to force their values onto me, while espousing "freedom" and the "constitution".

Not once did she talk about the economy, which is faltering amid 2 wars, budding feuds with other countries, rampant outsourcing, high fuel and food costs, and growing unemployment and homelessness. Not once did she talk about how to improve the educational system, which she claimed was her reason for joining her local PTA.

She gushed about her parents, about her husband, about her kids, about her "experience". She lambasted Obama for his lack of experience, and hailed McCain for his support of the war, and his POW experiences. All of which make him the perfect choice for President, of course.