The Election

I really don't want to talk about this subject. I'm really not qualified to give any "expert" opinions. In fact, on much of the election I either don't have a real opinion, or I'm not sure that I want to go with my opinion. The real reason that I am writing about the election is that it is so pervasive. All that one sees in the news is either the election or the economic crisis -- and usually they intersect with one another. I realize that we are in an economic crisis -- I am one of those having a hard time, but I really don't understand economics very well. No that I have presented my credentials, let me give a few thoughts and observations about the elections.

I am a McCain supporter. Why? I would like to present a lot of reasonable arguments, but that is not why I will vote for him. I do have some reasonable arguments; his economic and foreign policy statements resonate with me. But, the reason I like McCain is my background in the Navy. I respect him for who he is and what he endured. I am a Viet Nam vet. He is one of the heroes of "my" war. I had the opportunity to meet his dad. I worked for him -- although I'm sure his dad didn't know me; I was way down on the chain of command. The fact that John McCain refused to take the "deal" offered by the North Vietnamese, means a lot to me. There's a lot that I like about Obama, but he doesn't speak my language.

I don't know whether Sarah Palin is qualified to be president or not, but I don't know whether Obama is qualified to be president. Joe Biden's inability to stay away from his gaffes makes me wonder whether his is qualified to be president. I am not even convinced that John McCain is qualified, but McCain shows the character to be president. He has a track record that I respect. Sarah Palin may not have the long track record of McCain, but she shows a lot of character also. I really respect her beliefs, but I suspect that she is every NOW members worst nightmare. The real issue is that we can't be absolutely sure that anyone is qualified to be president before they become president. The character and background of the person will help them meet the challenges of the presidency as these challenges come to them. This also is why I will vote for McCain -- he has a track record of meeting lifes challenges; he has met the worst that life could throw at him, and he came through with his character intact.

As to the rest of the slate, I am tempted to vote against any incumbent in any office regardless of party. Now I may not really do that, but that is the way I am feeling at this time. Throw them all out! They created this mess. Of course the problem is that we don't know whether the new person will do any better.

Don't hold me to this, but I may tackle some of the propositions, especially Prop. 8 tomorrow. If anyone is reading this, let me know what you think.