The freedom to vote

Okay, okay...now you know I'm not big on politics. Unless you're living under a rock, then you know that this is a presidential election. I'll be honest in saying, that I'm ready for it to be over. I'm so tired of looking at the street corners covered with signs. As things are getting down to the wire, the candidates are getting nasty. The campaign ads are full of bad information about the opposite candidate. The news talks about people who still have yet to make a choice. They call them undecided voters.

I have a confession to make. I am one of those undecided voters. Normally, when I vote, I don't vote Democrat or Republican, I look at what the candidate is for or against and base my decision that way. I have done that for a long time. But this year, I'm really not happy with the two candidates and actually had decided originally that I just wasn't going to vote this year.

Then this came......

Yes, folks, there you have it. Last year or so, I opted to do early ballot from now on so I wouldn't have to go stand in the lines at the election polls. A few weeks ago, it came in the mail. When I received the ballot, I got a sting of guilt that came over me. As stated in paragraph above, I wasn't going to vote this year, even though I have voted in every presidential race since I turned 18. But then I started thinking about the fact that we live in a country that gives us the freedom to vote. There are countries in the world where people, especially women, are not allowed to determine who is in charge of our country. But we, as Americans, are.

Watching the news, the races are very close, although last I heard, Obama was in the lead. And so, I know that literally every vote will count and it's going to be a close race. And yet, I still continue to stare at this ballot, knowing I need to make a decision and get this mailed off like now.

I am so unhappy with both of then, the thought of filling in that little line in the arrow for McCain or Obama, makes my stomach turn. There are other names on the ballot for presidential candidates, Bob Barr (Libertarian, never heard of him), Cynthia McKinney (never heard of her), and of course good ol' Ralph Nader. His name is always on the ballot. I began a long time ago to look at their issues and even did it recently to see what they are for or against. The stuff I read on CNN makes them both look really good, but then I read other stuff, and it makes them both sound horrible.

The economy, illegal immigration, education, the war, health care, etc., they are all important issues. And there is one issue I won't budge on, that would be abortion. I have an interesting story about once being pro-choice to now being pro-life, as someone watching from the sidelines, never having an abortion myself. Maybe one day, I'll share it with you, but not today. No matter what, that is the one thing I absolutely, positively will not budge on.

And so then, if I based my vote soley on that one issue, then I would have to say I'm voting for McCain. I know that I can't base who is going to be president by whether they are for or against abortion, but right now, with me, it's a matter of that or not voting at all.

But still the thought of voting for either one literally scares me.

No matter who wins this race, it's definitely going to be one that will go down in the history books. We are either going to have our first woman vice president or our first African American president in office, running our country.

Okay....I am filling out my ballot and will mail it today.

*Sigh* I'm still having an uneasiness about it.....

Who shall I vote for?

Okay, now I'm not huge into politics. But when it comes time to vote, I do my civic duty and vote. I've never been one for being a Democrat or a Republican. Instead, I look at what each person is for or against and make my decision that way. I don't normally talk politics because I'll be honest in saying I'm not 100% educated like I should be. And when it comes to our president, I may not agree with some of the things he does, but he is our president and I support him, only on that fact. I don't complain a lot about our government, it's different when you work for the government. Complaining about the government would in turn mean I'm complaining about myself since I am a government employee. Haha. I work for the State of Arizona, and I deal with enough politics at work.

Now, I know the election isn't until November, but I've been thinking about this forever. Let's look at our candidates and what they are for or against. I am only picking out a few issues. All information was obtained from CNN.

First up, we have Barack Obama.

Abortion: Opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v Wade. Disagreed with Supreme Court ruling to uphold the "Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act." Did not cast a vote on Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007.

The Economy: Would pump $75 billion into the economy via tax cuts and direct spending targeted to working families, seniors, homeowners and the unemployed. The plan also includes $45 billion in reserves that can be injected into the economy quickly in the future if the economy continues to deteriorate. Would provide an immediate $250 tax cut for workers and their families and an immediate, temporary $250 bonus to seniors in their Social Security checks. Would provide an additional $250 tax cut to workers and an additional $250 to seniors if the economy continues to worsen. Would extend and expand unemployment insurance.

Education: Would reform No Child Left Behind, ensuring access to high-quality early childhood education programs and child care opportunities, recruit well-qualified and reward expert, accomplished teachers. Make science and math education a national priority. Reduce the high school dropout rate and empower parents to raise healthy and successful children by taking a greater role in their child's education at home and at school.

Health Care: Would create a national health insurance program for individuals who do not have employer-provided health care and who do not qualify for other existing federal programs. Allows individuals to choose between the new public insurance program or from among private insurance plans that meet certain coverage standards. Requires employers who do not provide health coverage for employees to pay into the national health insurance program. Does not mandate individual coverage for all Americans, but requires coverage for all children. Allows individuals below age 25 to be covered through their parents' plans. Cost estimated between $50 billion and $65 billion, to be paid for by eliminating Bush tax cuts for those earning over $250,000.

Immigration: Supported Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Iraq: Opposed use of military force in Iraq. Voted for war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Supports phased redeployment of U.S. troops. Opposed Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Had once called for troop withdrawal to begin by the end of 2006.

Same sex marriage: Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban. Supports civil unions.

Then there's John McCain:

Abortion: Voted for the Prohibit Partial Birth Abortion bill in 2003 and "yes" for Prohibiting Funds for Groups that Perform Abortions amendment in 2007. Believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned. Supports Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.

The Economy: Would lower the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent. Would allow first-year deduction of equipment and technology investments and establish a permanent research and development tax credit equal to 10 percent of wages spent on R&D.

Education: Voted for No Child Left Behind. Stated during GOP primary debates: "We need more charter schools. We need vouchers where it's approved by the local, state school boards. We need to have, clearly, home schooling if people want that … We need to reward good teachers and find bad teachers another line of work."

Health Care: Opposes federally mandated universal coverage. Would increase awareness and promote the use of existing children's health insurance programs while expanding community health centers. Supports health care tax dividends for low-income Americans, medical malpractice reform, improving electronic record-keeping, expanding health savings accounts, and encouraging small businesses to band together to negotiate lower rates with health care providers.

Immigration: Co-sponsored Bush-backed immigration reform legislation, which would have increased funding and improved border security technology, improved enforcement of existing laws, and provided a legal path to citizenship for some illegal immigrants. Voted to authorize construction of a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Iraq: Voted for use of military force in Iraq. Supported Bush veto of war spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops by March 2008. Was an early proponent of sending additional American troops to Iraq.

Same Sex Marriage: Supports definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Says individual states should decide the issue. Says a federal marriage ban might be appropriate if courts overturned state marriage laws. Supports legal benefits for same-sex partners.

So who are you going to vote for? Or are you like me and haven't made a decision yet?

Quote of the day: "George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles." ~Author Unknown