With only 12 days left until the end of this election season, we’ll be hearing a lot more talk (from both parties) about how happy they are that it’s almost over. And while I definitely agree, the question that keeps me up at night is, then what?

To know me is to know where my allegiances are. But I woke up this morning thinking about what, actually, will change—regardless of who wins the election? Whether it’s HRC or DJT, their presidency will be plagued by discontent, malcontents, and Bill Maher. And this is why I’m concerned about what the next four years will bring with either of these candidates as POTUS.

I still have a civic duty, however. I firmly believe that if you don’t vote (regardless of who you vote for) then you can seriously STFU. Me? I will be honored to cast my vote for the first female president of the United States. (Okay, only a little bit of a pro-HRG post.)

So while there’s still 12 days of mudslinging to go, let’s think about what the next four years have in store for us. Hang on to your hats. I think it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

While these posts have obviously been in favor of the candidate I prefer, I hope my other message has been clear. Get off your ass and vote, no matter whom you are voting for. My philosophy on voting has always been simple:

If you don’t bother to vote, then don’t bother to complain about the way things are.

I came across this video today at The Mom Buzz. Whether you lean to the left or lean to the right, take 5 minutes out of your day and check this out:

This is the most honest video I’ve seen during the 2008 election season. Did you notice what was missing? No McCain. No Palin. No Obama. Just one simple message.

VOTE!

The good news is that my regular readers who don’t necessarily agree with my views can come back in a few weeks, when I stop (maybe) posting the funny (to me) political stuff I find. 🙂

Good stuff, Eh?

Another view I hold strongly was best represented by Craig Ferguson in his Sept. 10 monologue on “The Late, Late Show.”

If you don’t vote, you’re a moron!

Here’s the monologue. It’s a little long, but well worth it.

As a newly-naturalized citizen of the United States, he does a great job of expressing his outrage and confusion regarding the voting process (or lack thereof) in America. I’ve never been a huge fan of his, until this show.

After his monologue, he kept on going. 🙂 Here’s part 2. Again, well worth the watch.

I’m interested to hear what the rest of you think…

Of course, Matt Damon aside, just the fact that she’s a Republican and McCain’s running mate means there’s no way in he-l-l that I’ll vote for her. In the interest of fairness, however, here are some of her opinions regarding major political issues, and my opinion on her opinion 🙂 :

Families & Children:
17-year-old unmarried daughter is 5 months pregnant. (Sep 2008)
Opposes explicit sex-education programs. (Jul 2006)

Civil Rights:
ADA brings expanded freedom to Americans with disabilities. (Jul 2008)
HIV/AIDS among Alaska Natives is public health crisis. (Mar 2008)
Recognize Martin Luther King holiday. (Jan 2008)
Comply with same-sex partner benefits despite disagreement. (Dec 2006)

Education:
Teach creationism alongside evolution in schools. (Aug 2008)
Supports charter schools, home schools, & other alternatives. (Nov 2006)
Let parents opt out of schoolbooks they find offensive. (Jul 2006)
Parents know best, about school spending & school age. (Jul 2006)

Environment:
Opposed protections for salmon from mining contamination. (Aug 2008)
Sue US government to stop listing polar bear as endangered. (Aug 2008)
We must encourage timber, mining, drilling, & fishing. (Jan 2008)
Feds shouldn’t list beluga whales as endangered. (Aug 2007)

Energy & Oil:
Claimed major triumph: $500 million subsidy for gas pipeline. (Aug 2008)
Global warming affects Alaska, but is not man-made. (Aug 2008)
Lift moratorium on offshore drilling. (Jul 2008)

Abortion:
Rejected sympathy for Down’s Syndrome son, as gift from God. (Aug 2008)
Choose life, even if her own daughter were raped. (Nov 2006)
Only exception for abortion is if mother’s life would end. (Jul 2006)

Gun Control:
Supports ending D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns. (Jun 2008)
Lifelong NRA member & champion of right to bear arms. (Feb 2008)
Supports Constitutional right to bear arms. (Nov 2006)

Crime:
Maximum sentence for first-degree murder by police. (Apr 2007)
If legislature passed death penalty law, I would sign it. (Nov 2006)
Death penalty for adults who murder children. (Oct 2006)

Drugs:
Opposes legalizing marijuana, but meth is greater threat. (Aug 2006)
Smoked marijuana when it was legal under Alaska law. (Aug 2006)
Top priorities include gangs & drugs; they harm family life. (Jul 2006)

Budget & the Economy:
Control spending by request if possible; by veto if needed. (Sep 2008)
$7 billion savings plan for education & transportation. (Dec 2007)
Firm believer in free market capitalism. (Nov 2006)

I’m surprised at how evenly my ups and downs are matched. I could employ a rating system of some kind, where my priorities are weighted–this would definitely be more accurate. The issues are listed by my priority, however, some items would be weighted heavier than others.

I still think Matt Damon is right. President Palin. Are you kidding me?

Palin’s views from: On The Issues. Check out this site for all of her views, along with the views of the other 2008 contenders.