I did something today that I have never done before. I have always had a some what predictable preference on my likes and dislikes especially in this area of my life. But, as many people have noticed recently, things have changed. There were some special circumstances that went into this decision, but it was the right thing to do given the choice.
Today, I walked out of Starbucks with a tall drip coffee. (Free because I voted!)Tweet

I had no idea that this was an issue until I went to vote this morning. I knew that racists and sexists were still a part of our society, but had no idea that as Americans we still discriminated in this way, it was a real eye opening experience. When I arrived to my polling station I saw a line stretching out into the parking lot. I stepped in the back of the line and pulled out my blackberry to settle in for a long wait. Then I heard someone mentioned that the line was for last names M-Z. So i walked around the corner to try and find the line for A-L and after walking past over 70 people in the M-Z line, i found a very short line for the first half of the alphabet. Those with the unfortunate burden of a last name starting with M-Z had been waiting for over a hour to get to where I was in the A-L line. How on earth was it possible for there to be such a dichotomy in this day and age in our free society? “All men were created equal,” right? The very fact that this type of discrimination and alphabetism still is a part of our country enrages me. People can’t help the last name they were born with any more than they can help their gender or race. After waiting for only ten minutes to cast my vote, I felt guilty as I walked past those still waiting in the M-Z line. The hurt in their eyes of knowing that because of something that they can’t change, they were being punished, it was almost too much for me to bear. I guess we really are still living in Two Americas.Tweet

*The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.

*Remember, remember the 5th of November. The gunpowder, treason, and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.

*Listen to me. This may be the most important moment of your life. Commit to it.

*It means that I, like God, do not play with dice and I don’t believe in coincidences

*By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

*Artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.

*A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having!

*People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

*Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea…and ideas are bulletproof.

(Quotes from V for Vendetta that seemed fitting for the eve of a new direction for our country)Tweet

So I made my decision. I am know who I am going to vote for. I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out, not just in the election results tomorrow night, but in the next 76 days and then the next 4 years.
“In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” – Theodore RooseveltTweet

The New York Times featured one of the most talked about segments of the voting population today on the front page. I am a part of this group and appreciate their interest in what we have to say. Myself and my fellow undecided brethren (Read the article HERE) make up approximately 4% of the electorate and we are still considering who we are going to vote for on Tuesday. With two days to go, and a whole afternoon to think long and hard, it looks like I am going to have to finally make my decision on who to vote for. Despite the recent questions on the evening news of “What the heck are these people waiting for?” I, like many Americans, want to cast my vote and have it mean something. Not that my one vote is going to change the outcome of the Texas delegate count, but have it mean something to me. I would love for the next four years to smile and say, “I am so glad that I cast my vote the way I did.” I fear that that is not what will happen as I am still not confident that either Obama or McCain is truly the best thing for America. And while I could write in Michael Bloomebrg, or as one friend suggested, Superman, I am going to pick from one of the two and hope that the vote I cast is for the kind of change this country so desperately needs.Tweet

“People should not be afriad of their government. Government should be afraid of their people.” – VTweet

In my last post I wrote that the most important issue to me in this election is the candidates energy policy. I believe that this issue will dictate how our country moves forward into the next century. As China and India rise in political, economic, and military power on the world stage, and Russia returns to being a factor in the international landscape, our dependence on foreign countries for sustainability puts us in a compromising position. Being able to not only provide for our own energy consumption, but also finding ways to change the amount and the types of energy that we consume I believe is pivotal to our country’s future.
An anonymous commenter’s response to my blog was: “Or you could vote with the idea that the next Pres. will likely seat up to 3 Supreme Court justices. Then you can look at how your momma raised you and decide what is most fitting with your faith.“
This could be a great point. The issue of Supreme Court justices will indeed be decided, in part, by the next President.
The issue that I take with the comment though is two fold: First, it was anonymous and therefore I can’t respond back directly to the commenter. Second, while there is validity in the issue raised, I completely discount the point for the weak argument to support their statement. The reason I am going to vote for a candidate is whether or not I think they are going to do what is right for the country and the future of America. Bringing my Mom and how she brought me up isn’t a logical argument. That sounds like group think and peer pressure. If anything, my “momma raised me” to learn to think for myself, understand the issues from all sides, do my best and never quit, and fight for the things that are the most important to me.
So, Mr./Mrs. Anonymous, if you would care to present another idea as to how or why I should reconsider the issue of Supreme Court justices, please put more thought into a persuasive argument and less time talking about my “momma.”Tweet

I have said before that if either candidate can give me a plan, not just a promise to make a plan, on how to take action toward energy independence, that candidate can count on my vote.

With 20 days left, I am still waiting. So are over 35,000 signers of the PickensPlan Petition. If you would like to make your voice heard on this issue and join the PickensPlan Army, click HERE and sign your name.
The closest thing we’ve seen to their plans: Obama’s Energy Policy – McCain’s Energy Policy But still no plan.Tweet

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Joe the Plumber was the focus of the entire debate. Joe apparently was the most important person tonight. Maybe both McCain and Obama thought that I was “Joe” but I do my best to make sure that no one, on first glance at my waist line, assumes that I am a plumber.
But you know what, thank God that tonight I was at least entertained by the back and forth accusations and rhetoric. I think the fact that they were sitting down helped.
John McCain’s tie sucked.
95% of America is all that was debate. Those of you that have the gold plated Cadillacs, well, no matter who wins, you’re screwed.Tweet