Politics
It wasn’t too long ago that I absolutely hated politics. I considered it overly complicated, corrupted, emotional, and out of my reach.
I can’t pinpoint exactly when that changed, but it might have been that magical 2000 presidential election. Since then I’ve become increasingly awareof just how important following politics is. I read the always excellent TPM, Eschaton, Calpundit, and OWillis every day. I’ve read “Lies, and the Lying Liars…” and “Dude, Where’s My Country?” I contributed to the Dean campaign and followed it from its beginnings. I’m a contributing member of MoveOn, the DNC, the ACLU, and the EFF. I’ve written letters to, and received responses from, my senators and congressmen. I listen to NPR to and fro work every day.
Most importantly: I vote. There was a time when I might have bothered voting in a presidential election –if I had the time. Now, I don’t miss a single election, no matter how small. And I love it. There’s no better feeling than making your opinions heard. If you don’t vote, I’m sorry, but there’s something wrong with you.
I have very little doubt that the 2004 presidential election will be the most important election of my lifetime. The Bush Administration’s policies, lies, and political games have put America in real danger, and this is our only chance to do something about it. From the Valerie Plame business, to Haliburton, to the Iraq war mess, to the 9/11 commission stonewalling, and to the ridiculous Gay Marriage Amendment, I don’t see how anyone can support these thugs. But people don’t read as much about this as I do, and so I understand. This is still going to be a fight, and it’s going to be ugly, very ugly, very soon.
I supported Dean in the beginning, and I believe that he has done a tremendous, and necessary good for the Democratic Party and for the country. I secondarily supported Edwards. But now that Kerry is the de facto nominee, he has my full support. And the AOL President Match tool has me at 99% in line with Kerry’s policies (behind Kucinich and Sharpton, ouch!). I’m only an 18% match with Bush.
So this morning I donated my first amount to the Kerry campaign. I’ll follow this election closely, and in November, I’ll vote against George W. Bush. It should be a pretty easy win for Kerry. And then, I’ll start this whole thing over again, because even though I’m currently a registered Democrat, and a supporter of the party’s nominee, that can easily change. I’ve never been a fan of a two-party system, because it limits our choices. I’d like to see that change.
Regardless, I’d like to talk about politics a little more on here. We’ll see how that goes.
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