Speaking Clearly

"America has spoken, and spoken clearly."
And I quote Mr. McCain.

I voted this year, for the first time ever in my life.
I guess I have never felt that my vote mattered.
But this year was different. For lots of reasons.
So I voted.

And I had a very unnexpected emotional reaction to it.
I walked in, was given my ballot and went to my booth.
I voted for president and for most of the local propositions.
I even did my homework and researched the propositions.

I placed my ballot in the ballot reader machine.
And I walked out.
Walked out feeling like I was a part of something important.
Thought about all the people in the world who are not allowed to make a choice.
Thought about the high price of blood that was paid so I could do what I just did.
And I got choked up on the way to the car.
It felt very good, and I was proud of myself.
There wasn't a long wait, but I had decided that I would wait in line if I had to. And I had been up all night at work. But it was important to me.

And I sat with my children last night and watched history being made.

I voted for Obama.
I did not vote for him because he is black.
And I did not vote for him carelessly.
I examined many things, listened carefully, and made my decision carefully over months time.
I voted for Obama because, number 1, I wanted to actively NOT support anything that was anything similar to the last 8 years.
I'm sick of right-wing, bible-beating, rich white America.
Oh yeah, and the economy.
And secondly because I am pretty much Democratic.
I do not agree with everything he agrees with. Gun control for one.
But for me, he is the best candidate.

Awhile back he had a interview at a church, I believe it was Saddleback Church in California, but I'm not sure. I was very impressed with all of his answers. And on the topics I didn't totally agree with him on, I was satisfied with his answers. I was very impressed at how he held his ground on the issues in front of a large church full of conservative, right wing, white Christians. How he didn't just say what they wanted to hear to get their vote. I have never seen a politician do this. Abortion, same sex issues, the war, our soldiers. I liked what he had to say. And so I made my decision.

I have been outright shocked at some of the reactions to him. I know that politics can always be a heated topic. But the outright hatred I have seen in people when his name comes up. And I know it is because he is black. If he were a 50 year old, good looking, less experienced, well spoken white man there would not be hatred involved. They might not agree or support, but they wouldn't hate. But there are so many that are so utterly disgusted that a black man is in office (or was running). Its almost humorous to watch. You can almost see the mercury rise on the blood pressure readings.

I'm laughing at all those people right now.
Pretty hard.

So I say GOBAMA!!!!

Arizona Propositions:
Voted no on the same-sex marriage one (which was in favor of same-sex marriages - which still boggles my mind that something like that is even on the ballot, OMG).
Voted no on the illegal immigrant one. Making it harder for businesses to hire them.
Voted no on the payday loan one.

Blogs like this one, http://imfreenow.blogspot.com/.
I'm laughing at them and feel sorry for them at the same time.
You don't seem very free to me.
Its hard for me to believe there are people like that.
I guess thats why our country is great - she and I can both vote.

And I vote Democratic because I grew up too.

Had a nice Halloween with the kids.
I'm with you on that one Heather. Love it.

Cathy, been reading your blog. Thinking about you alot.
Alot. Every day.