As I put some finishing touches on our New Year's Eve party, I try to anticipate the needs of my guests. What kind of finger food would they like? What kind of booze should I purchase? What sorts of games should we play? Etc., etc. At the same time, I'm also trying to anticipate some of my guest's reactions to my New Year's toast to Obama and the new administration. For you see dear readers, not all of my loved ones are " democraddicts". However, despite my loud, opinionated and internet-aggressive rants, they manage to love me anyway.

( And although your voting practices infuriate me, I do manage to love you too.)

Over the years, I have heard many critics of political party die-hards. " Why do you only vote on party lines? Why can't you just vote on the issues and not the candidate?" ( Blah, blah, blah). As many times as I've been asked those ( annoying) questions, those rare, brave nay-sayers have been forced into listening to my response. And you, dear readers, are about to hear it as well.

I am confident in being a democraddict, I subscribe to my political party full-heartedly. The reason? I am not conservative socially, religiously or economically. There have been moments in which I claim to be conservative about immigration, but my liberal friends and family talk me down from that tree on a regular basis. In fact, the only reason I have inklings to keep our borders tight, is that I want our country to be able to provide for it's citizens even more so than we already do.

I could never vote on a single issue as our government is not a single issue institution. It needs to be said that there at times, albeit rare, where I do feel like I vote for the lesser of two evils, so to speak. Some dear friends, who support the European democracy model, in which there are many political parties to ensure a cohesiveness between a voter and whom they chose to represent them in government. I hear ya, it does seem to make more sense. Unfortunately, our government is do deeply entrenched in it's party system that a drastic change such as that would probably only result in splintering among the parties, weakening our main parties yet still not resulting in enough support for newer, smaller parties. Therefore, it would cause some significant damage and dissension within an already-damaged government.

No, I'm happy with our party system. I'm proud to be a Democrat. I do stand by my party's fundamentals as I do believe that they echo my own. I am not a socialist, I am a capitalist yet I do think the government could do a much better job at providing for it's citizens. I think we've come a long way in terms of protected rights of our people, yet we could do so much more about tolerating and protecting the rights of every citizen, no matter their race, religion or sexuality. Yes, taxes stink, but they are necessary in providing the funding this nation needs to operate.

We are an incredible nation, yet we cannot sit back and let our government work for us. It is our job to participate in your government, everyday, not just every four years. Democracy is a gift, not just a birthright. Our participation and engagement in it, is our gift back.

Therefore, as the New Year approaches, my wish for the coming is year is for our new, blue administration to works towards repairing a hopelessly injured government and move towards a more unified nation. We may not agree on our political parties, but that doesn't mean that we cannot agree to rescue our dear nation out of the near-ruin that the Bush administration has gotten us into.

Here's to the new blue working for you!

Happy New Year!

I'd like to take a break from politics, and my critiques of it, to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday and New Year.

I would have titled this entry " Merry Christmas Democraddicts" but that wouldn't be very all-inlcusive and open-minded of me would it? Therefore, if I won't limit my holiday wishes to religion, I cannot possibly discriminate against party lines. Especially since our own Blagojevich will be finding coal in his stocking right alongside that Palin woman come Christmas Day.

( There is not enough coal in the world for that Dick Cheney. And, for that matter, most of the Bush administration.)

Happy Holidays to all you non-democraddicts, no matter what political party you subscribe to, I wish the happiest and healthiest holiday and New Year to you all. I hope that the New Year and a new president brings about unity and understanding both at home and abroad .

While on the topic of the New Year, I would like to research and write about things that matter to you. Feel free to email me any suggestions/comments at :
thedemocraddict@democraddicts.com

All the best,
Bevan

According to a recent, AP article : http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2008/12/22/whered_the_bailout_money_go_shhhh_its_a_secret/), the congressional committee to oversee the bailout has a lot of questions about how and where the billions of our money has been spent, yet they haven't been able to gain any answers.

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, the bailout plan did not include mandatory disclosure of how the governments funds are being allocated.

For those non-New Englanders, we here in the Northeast got slammed with a snowstorm thoughout the entire weekend. I was furious at the thought of where my city taxes were going as the streets were a mess! Now, realizing that near trillion dollars, that we as taxpayers, will be responsible for, is it so much to ask for these giant banks to be held accountable for our money?

Don't take this one lying down. We have every right to know where that money is going and the fact that these banks are not forthcoming with that information makes me both suspicious and furious. You should feel the same. Talk about gratitude, they begged on their hands and knees for this money and now they brush off the government.

The days of Laissez-faire are over. The government needs to do a better job of reminding these corporations of that. We also need to remind our government of that as well.

could create so much content! Yes, there are some topics that I harp on ad-nasueam, yet this one has been inspiring some of the most reflective thinking that I've done in quite some time.

I suppose what I'm feeling right now, is that, as a country, we were able to collectively stand together and oust ole' Georgey Boy. We had enough of his and his cronies bullying us around and treating our government and its affairs as one giant board game, without care for Americans or anyone else for that matter.

I loathe him, I wanted him out. I worked ferverishly, along with millions of you, to make sure he, or any other of the GOP jerks, would not be stepping into the White House to merely pick up where the idiot left off.

I have the luxury of living in a democracy. I value that privilege. Six weeks ago, I got to see how democracy worked for me.I sleep better knowing that the moron in chief will be heading back to Texas soon ( poor Texans).

Yet, what do Iraqi's have? How will they find a resolution from the damage that horrible man has caused them and their country? They didn't get to vote him out. They don't get to sleep easier knowing, that in a few months, their government is going to be turned around. They continue to live in an American occupied state. They live under the laws of their " new" government, while still under the watchful eye of an administration, and its military presence, that is responsible for massive death and destruction in their country.

Quite a pragmatic victory for the U.S. huh? We " defeated" the enemy and desolated a country. Last I checked, we did the same with Afghanistan; trained, armed and supported their military, and then took off, without a care for the people, or government, left behind. Look how that turned out? It inspired resentment and hatred in its people and became a breeding ground for Al Quaeda. To make things worse, we're back there!

What's important for Americans to understand, is that, shoes aside, the US is not held in high regard internationally. We need to realize, above and beyond what we already know, how much Bush and his administration tainted the image of the United States. What that journalist did merely represents how tens of millions of people feel, worldwide.

Was it right? No. Yet, besides condemning that man, or Bush for that matter, there is something that we can do to help our international image.

We did a great thing in electing Obama. Hopefully, he will be able to restore the international regard of the United States. For now though, what I'm asking of you is to do your own part to restore our image. I encourage you to encourage peace and understanding. And, yes, its easier than you may think. Comitting a small act of kindness if one of the most amazing things that you can do these days. Just one person can do so much. Just think, our individual votes for Obama resulted in a collective landslide.

Spread the love, with your shoes on.

I've been reflecting on Sunday's incident with George Bush and the shoes that were launched at his head. Yes, I did laugh at first. However, this is a grave matter that speaks to deep-rooted issues.

I don't condone that man's actions. I don't. No matter how much I despise George Bush, and believe me, I really, really do.

Yet, I find myself frustrated because I do want George Bush confronted, but, in a non-aggressive way. It really gets my goat to know that on January 20, he'll walk out of office without a care in, or for, the world.

Therefore, if we could do Sunday over, this is what I would have liked to have happened. As George Bush walked the desolated and destroyed streets of Iraq, I would have liked a young, Iraqi child to approach him and ask, " President Bush, I want you to know how it feels to walk in my shoes."

Would George Bush be brandishing that smarmy grin if he had to live in the nightmare that has become Iraq? Would he be as good at ducking mortar bombs as he is shoes? Would he shed a tear for the close to one million Iraqi civilians that have been killed over the course of the war the way that he did when speaking about his father at a Yale graduation last week? Would he admit that it was all a mistake? That in fact, Iraq is mission failed, not accomplished?

No, he wouldn't feel any of these things because Georgey Boy prefers the out-of-sight-out-of-mind mentality. That's why I loathe him.

I have no respect for George Bush. However,I deeply respect the office of the president. Therefore, it was terrible for anyone to threaten and or disrespect that office, even when it is an idiot is at the helm.

Let's all flashback to that amazing moment 43 days agao when Barack Obama was elected our next president.

Yay for Barack! Yay for the country! Yay for Democrats!

After what seems like pure laziness on behalf of the Democratic Party in both the 2000 and 2004 election, I was delighted with the party's iniative and both rapid and desperately-needed turnaround. The future of our party was looking bright.

Until....

My readers who are not Massachusetts residents may not be aware, both those that are know perfectly well that corruption within the Democratic party has been alleged on both the city and state levels. The Illinois governor, Rob Blagojevich ( I had to copy and past that one!), is on the cusp of being impeached for allegedly seeking favors in return for appointing a new Senator to fill Obama's vacant seat.

Come on! Get your acts together! The party has worked too hard to reshape it's image. They're not only making the party look bad, they're casting a shadow on Obama's historic transition into the White House.

Is the party fastly becoming greedy and corrupt? Or, are they just becoming lazy? Maybe all of the spotlight on corrupt Democrats is a way of clearing out the ones that are making everyone else look bad.

Obama winning this election was monumental and amazing. Yet, this is only the beginning. We can't rest on our laurels simply because he won. The whole reason he was elected was because he inspired the force of change that the majority of the country so desperately wants.

That change cannot soley rest on Obama's shoulders. It is up to us as well. Keep talking, stay informed and most importantly, continue to do your part. Your voice in our government is not confined to every four years.

Living in a Democracy is a gift. Treat it as such.

Shoo!

That's what an Iraqi journalist was saying to Bush as he hurled his, apparently size 10 shoes, at George Bush. The journalist launched his shoes shouting, " This is a farewell gift you dog!"

I don't condone violence, but I don't blame his frustration. Although I wouldn't actually throw shoes or engage in any other violent behavior towards our president or anyone, I've certainly launched millions in my mind, both at George Bush and his entire administration. I've also thought about tossing shoes at some McCain supporters as well. And, if you count Sarah Palin, in my mind, I've lost an Imelda Marcos's worth of shoes in the direction of that woman.

This brings me back to one of my favorite movie quotes from Austin Powers, " Who throws a shoe? Honestlly?"

I'll tell ya who. Someone who's family has been killed in the "war", someone who has been kidnapped by the government. Someone, who has watched almost a million of his fellow Iraqi's die.

Violence is certainly not the answer but I can appreciate the bitter resentment and frustration. YET, violence only begets violence. In a world in such bitter turmoil, we all have to find a way to be proactive, productive, and, most of all, safe.

" Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me". Obviously the shoe thrower doesn't employ this principle. But, that doesn't mean that we can't.

My shoes are on, but my heart's with you. My heart is with those innocent US military and Iraqis who have lost their lives or who have watched those that they love, lose theirs.

This war was a mistake. It has cost us close to to a trillion dollars. That's just the monetary value. What's the price that we can put on human lives?

Think about it.

Apparently my previous post upset a few people. Let me be clear, it is not astounding for a liberal Democrat to believe that a woman of color can be a conservative Republican. What is astounding however, is that any individual, despite race, gender of political party, with so much intellect would pair themselves up with such an idiot.

She may be called " Condi" by her friends and family. However, both the U.S. and the world are not her friends or her family. In fact, they can be enemies at times. We have to move away from the casualness and simpleton semantics that Bush tried to impart on this country.

A good majority of the world looks up to us. Those that don't still watch because every decision that the U.S. makes has deep impacts throughout the globe. Therefore, it is our duty, and that of our government to chose representatives that embody a shred of intelligence. Clearly Ms. Rice does, however, Georgey Boy praises her work while referring to her like an old buddy. We're not talking about a recap of what happened at recess, we're talking about relating to the world serious, international conflicts and resolutions.

To me, that's dumbing her down, and she doesn't deserve that.

Rice is not the only intelligent member of Bush's administration. Take Dick Cheney for instance. He's extremely intelligent. Unfortunately, he's the evil mastermind sort of smart. He saw an opportunity to play puppet master to George, Pinocchio, Bush. Cheney, one of the most evil men on the planet, used his cunning to make millions off of the devastation of others. He brought intelligence to the White House, but he also brought an evil agenda.

I do not compare Ms. Rice to Cheney at all. Condoleezza Rice is an accomplished, educated and refined woman. I have always found her capable of her position and any future positions that she may hold both within and out of the government. Her political party doesn't bother me. Her choice to step into the national spotlight on a sinking ship does confuse me however.

She seems smarter than that to me. Now, unfortunately, such a brilliant woman may forever be linked to the disaster that is the Bush administration.

As I watched Condoleezza Rice play a private piano concert for the queen of England, I thought, " damn, I wish we had her on our side!" She's extremely intelligent, sophisticated, cultured and graceful. In the midst of international turmoil and growing resentment towards the U.S., she plays the diplomatic game with an admirable poker face.

For someone who is as bright as she obviously is, why the hell would she ever have taken a position in Bush's administration? I often wonder why she would allow herself to be guided by the biggest idiot on the planet. There is no way on God's green earth she sees him in a laudatory light. For heaven's sake, she let him call her " Condi".

A woman as accomplished as Rice deserves to be treated with respect. If that's too much to ask, at least don't refer to her as casually as you would one of the cattle on your beloved ranch. She is the top diplomat from the world's super power. The Secretary of State needs to exude level-headedness, exquisite manners, international hindsight and open-mindedness. This is why it infuriates me every time that man calls her " Condi". It's demeaning and infantilizing.

Thank God this will be over soon.

I sometimes fantasize about her exit from the White House. I imagine her tossing aside her poised demeanour long enough to give ole' Georgey boy a swift kick in the rear as she screams, " It's Condaleezza, damnit!"

As much as I respect her, she made a bad judgement call jumping on the ole' Bush train.

Learn from your mistakes Ms. Rice. I wish you the best, I mean it.

As the CEO's of the big three, American auto-manufacturing companies nervously await a possible Congressional bailout, I put forth my bid for car czar candidacy.

As part of a $15 billion bailout, Cogress has asked that a " car czar" be appointed to oversee the Congressional loans and the industry's restructuring. I feel that I am just the one to fill this position.

I cannot self myself on any sort of experience within the financial or manufacturing industries. I can only impart to you my platform.

Simply put, as car czar I will demand that American automakers :

1) stop making crappy cars
2) start making fuel efficient cars
3) pay the US taxpayers back every cent that they borrowed

Think it's safe to quit my day job?

Literally.

Today, five   more »

It's going to get worse before it gets better. This is the sentiment that Obama relayed this morning on Meet the Press. All in all, the economy is crap, and, unfortunately, it's going to stink a lot more before we get some relief.

As I volunteered to decorate homeless shelters with the staff of Harpoon Beer yesterday, I had a candid conversation with my team leader, who happened to be the chief financial officer. When asked how sales were doing, he said. " flat." However, he reminded us all that when unemployment is up, so is drinking.

In preparing for the worst, yet we can only hold on to the hope that things WILL get better.

I am realistic of our immediate future, yet, I have insurmountable hope in both Obama and the future of our economy.

Here's to hope....

Cheers.

This evening, as I made my, self-proclaimed, world famous, tomato sauce, I was half-listening to the evening news. There was a segment that followed up on Iraq veterans ,with severe brain injuries, that the network had interviewed years before. One of them was " better", another permanently disfigured, and one, sadly, passed away during one of his countless operations.

It was a sobering moment for me. I have always been against the war in Iraq. However, I have been guilty of only focusing on those who have lost ther lives, both the American military and Iraqi civilians, and not those who have returned, injured.

Since I was a child, I have been very naive about those who have been "injured". Whenever I hear about an accident, I only worry about the deceased and pay no mind to those who were injured. Its almost as if as long as you remain alive, then you're automatically OK.

Of course anyone who has suffered bodily injury is never OK. I gave my mind a proverbial beating for forgetting those who are still among us. The number of those who have returned injured from Iraq is staggering. We're talking in the tens of thousands. That also means tens of thousands of individuals and families who will never be the same.

As a teacher to children afflicted with severe emotional difficulties, I know that trauma never leaves someone. Therefore, we must also add every person who has served in the military as "injured" as their emotional health will never be the same.

Tonight, I though about how easy it would be for me to change the channel. I thought how, in a matter of seconds, I could make that painful reminder disappear. With the push of a button, I could be finding out who Britney Spears is dating, or what the Jona brothers are up to. I could have pusehd the button and thus erase the thought of all those men and women, whose lives are forever changed.

I didn't change the channel. I continued to watch. I also became enraged, again, at the Bush administration for getting us into this mess. However, I cannot let my anger be the way in which I honor the men and women in our military. I cannot continue to spread anger and bitterness into the universe. Hate begets hate.

I read about the massive funeral in Israel this week, to honor those who had died in the attacks in Mumbai. A rabbi there spoke of forgiveness. He spoke of reacting to those terrorists; hate by doing good deeds for the rest of the world.

I don't fight in Iraq. I admit that I don't want to. I'm not a member of Congress who voted for this war under false pretenses. I'm not one of the private security firms that's making millions off of the lives, limbs and minds both our men and women in service and the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians.

I am merely a civilian, who wants the war to end. Honor the memory of those whos lives were lost, but also, respect the day to day struggle of those who are still among us.

They are here, but no longer forgotten in my eyes.

Open your eyes, this war needs to end.

On Monday, the National Bureau of Economic Research stated that the U.S. is indeed in a recession and has been for over a year.

Well, duh.

( Are our tax dollars paying their salaries?)

Oh yes, its that time again. As Bush's presidency falls into it's final days ( praise God), every Tom, Dick and Joe the Plumber come out of the woodwork seeking a presidential pardon. This is a practice that unfortunately, all presidents employ in their final days. This democraddict has to admit that even Billy Clinton was "generous" with his pardons. He was too generous and shamefully so.

Let's face it, these people seeking pardons are criminals. They have already been charged and are already serving their sentences. In addition, a presidential pardon can protect an individual for future accusations. This is a scary thought given the fact that Bush's administration is guilty of so much corruption. Men like Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, Gonzales, Cheney etc., could get away with murder, literally.

So Georgey boy, you may vindicate those who pulled at your puppet strings to bring this nation to near devastation through their self interest and greed. However, do your waning executive powers entitle you to pardon yourself?

Thankfully, no.

Although I am not much of a religious woman, may God have mercy on your soul Mr. Bush. That is, if you haven't already sold it to Cheney.

I was angry this morning because I woke up after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade had started. My boyfriend laughed at me as I watched, entranced by the Rockettes, Little Mermaid the Musical and David Archuletta. I can't explain why I love the parade so much. I can only recognize that it has been part of my Thanksgiving day as long as I can possibly remember. Simply put, it's a tradition, and I love traditions.

I often wonder about our Thanksgiving tradition. Our nation puts aside this day, every year to honor the Pilgrims who broke bread with the Native Americans. Why exactly do we celebrate a people that would conquer the Native Americans and steal their land? Why do we toast our glasses to oppression ?

Yet, I never hear cries of " Yay colonization!" while the men are watching the football games. I don't hear whispers of " I wonder what those poor Native Americans are doing on the reservation today" from the women in the kitchen. I hear laughter, smell amazing food and witness hugs, handshakes and family bonding. Thanksgiving no longer honors the Pilgrims, it honors the family. For that, I am extremely thankful.

My grandfather, who passed almost nine years ago, used to go around the table and ask each of the grandchildren what they were thankful for. I always found it an uncomfortable experience. I was always searching for something profound to say and always felt as if I never responded the "right" way. These days, I miss my grandfather, and that tradition of his. My heart swells with things to be thankful for. I'm not sure there would be enough time between dinner and dessert to rattle of my laundry list of gratitude.

I miss both of my grandparents. I feel as if I took them for granted in my youth. I remember how much I wanted to talk to my grandfather after September 11th because I feel that he could somehow make some sense of it. However, it isn't just the hard times that I miss them, its the wonderful times as well. The weddings, graduations, christenings etc. In addition, I know how happy they both would have been to see Barack Obama elected as I learned as much about politics and open-mindedness from them, as I did my parents.

Therefore papa, for you I'm going to tell the world ( aka my readers) what I'm thankful for this year. As always, my wonderful family both immediate and extended, my amazing boyfriend and his lovely family, my friends, my job, my creature comforts. And, this year, I'm going to throw in that I'm thankful that a nation, born of oppression, has elected one of it's oppressed to lead it.

We are building new traditions, both individually and as a nation. We are on a path to unity and greatness. I can't think of a better reason to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope that you all have a wonderful day!
( P.S. I am thankful, everyday, that you chose to read my little rants, it keeps my fire going!)

Apparently not.

I can't turn on the news without being bombarded with messages of " shouldn't there be only one president at a time?" Of course this criticism is hitting on the dilligent work that Obama and his team have been doing to ensure their ability to get down to work the minute he is sworn into office.

(God forbid!)

Let's see, in light of the fact that there has been a monkey, and a heard of greedy idiots behind him in his administration for the past eight years who have brought our nation to near ruin, don't we need all the help that we can get?

Lay off the criticism, Obama deserves to be applauded not criticized. In an abysmal economy, we need a man who will work for every penny he gets.

Just a little food for thought to wet those Thanksgiving appetites of yours!

if you believe that you can vote on other's civil rights.

We, as a nation, do not have the right to vote on other's civil rights.

I am beyond bothered by the fact that people let their inherent, religious beliefs guide their voting practices. Separation of church and state was enacted for a reason. Religion has no place in politics. Yet, it creeps it's way in time and time again.

What bothers you so much about a gay couple wanting to get married? How is "your" way of life threatened by two people who love each other enough to take the plunge into the ever-risky, constant maintenance that is a marriage? Two out of three marriages end in divorce, how "sacred" do those heterosexuals that bail out of their life long commitment treat it? Not very well apparently.

We do not have the right to vote on other's civil rights. Just forty years ago, people of color were not considered citizens. I am currently in a relationship with man of color, in many states, our relationship would have been illegal. Is this the trend that we want to uphold?

If people love each other enough to dive into marriage, which today is a risky business, then all the more power to them! What the world needs now is love, more than anything. Why then are you trying to stop two people who want to venture into a union, based out of love, to perpetuate your hate?

Think about it. Beyond thinking about it, do something about it. It is very hairy business to set these kinds of precedents. It is the Supreme Court's job to decide if a law is or isn't constitutional.

Last I checked, the average voter was not trained and or confirmed as an individual who is capable of weighing civil issues against the constitution.

It does not sit well with me that people like Joe the Plumber may hold my civil rights in their hands.

Today, the senate handed down their punishment for Joe Lieberman's stint on the McCain campaign. Due to his pro-McCain and anti-Obama sentiments, the Democratic caucus took away Lieberman's panel post on the Environment and Public Works. He does however get to retain his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee .

The seething Democrats were ready to rip this Republican- in -Democrat's clothing a new one before Obama encouraged them to be lenient.

If it were up to me, Lieberman would be publicly flogged. Seriously, this jerk could have cost us the campaign! I would have had a right mind to drop a dime to Plymouth Plantation and see if any of their old stocks were in working order. Liberman and his saggy jowels could droop together and ponder what an idiot-move he made.

I don't agree with Obama's recommendation. However, his leniency and determination to not habor negative feelings, unify the country and bring this nation out of the crapper is the exact reason why I love him so much.

Kudos to me, and everyone else who voted for him. Looks like we made the right decision.

Major pharmaceutical companies as well as health care providers are mobilizing this week in what will be an aggressive ad campaign aimed at attacking Barack Obama's health care initiatives.

You see, if Obama is able to regulate the cost of presccriptions through medicaide, those lovely CEO's of those major drug and health care companies will have to lose some of their precious millions, making them a little less rich than they were before.

This should disgust you Americans. The cost of prescription drugs is staggering, with and without insurance. I can recall an experience in graduate school in Australia when I had to buy a prescription for conjunctivitis ( thanks yucky kids!). I cried all the way to the drugstore because my insurance there didn't cover prescriptions. You can imagine my relief when the total bill amounted to... be prepared.... $11! You see their country has national healthcare, and in turn, can regulate prescription drug prices. I paid $11 dollars without insurance, think about it.

Many are uncomfortable with the thought of Universal Healthcare. I should bust a myth here. His healthcare plan would be elective. Don't worry, he's not the socialist that the GOP tried to convince you he was.

I think it's wonderful to try and make prescriptions more affordable. I have a hard time swallowing the fact that those on medicaide, and those who are privately insured, have great difficulty paying for medicine that they need.

Therefore, once these ads begin, here's some food for thought to munch on. If these companies can afford to pay millions of dollars to try and convince people of a falsehood that would only benefit them financially, shouldn't they be using that money to lower prescription drug costs?

Think about it.

Man... can I turn on the news and not discover that there's yet one more corporation that needs to be bailed out with our tax dollars?

When does it end?

I hate to be the wet blanket here, but it's not   more »

Nope.

To many Americans, the thought of electing a black man to the office of president was frightening and absurd. Then again, there were those, like myself, who believed that no matter how qualified and talented Barack Obama was, the ever-lingering racism and prejudice in this country would prevent his abilty to become the president elect.

Last Tuesday, I was overjoyed and proud to be a part of a country whose majority believes in, and voted for, real change. Our country made a decision that most viewed as the impossible dream. However, Barack Obama's defeat over John McCain is only the beginning.

I would like to take this opportunity to express to my readers that our dream of a total turn-around in government under Barack Obama's leadership in his first term is the impossible dream. Just as the current state of our country under George Bush's administration has become our worst nightmare.

Please understand, no leader can "fix" the mess that the Bush administration has gotten us into. I believe that we elected the best man to lead us out of these dark days. However, I would be lying to you if I said that I believed that he would be able to accomplish all that needs to be done in only four years. This is not a criticism, but rather a wake-up call.

Therefore dear readers, I'm asking you to keep hope alive. I do fear that things may get worse before they get better. We need to stand behind our president and realize that the light at the end of the tunnel is there, however, we may not be able to see it in four years time.

Obama has a daunting task ahead, just as FDR did after the Great Depression. Yet, FDR was able to resolve our country's maladies, in an unprecedented three plus terms, and would ultimately become one of our nation's greatest leaders in history.

Be patient. Obama will fall into the ranks alongside Lincoln, FDR and Kennedy. However, he won't be able to do it alone. We need to work for him and our government as much as he will work for us. Don't let your vote be the end of your civic engagement.

Living in a democracy is a gift. Your participation in it is a symbol of appreciation of that gift.

Hooray for America!

As I made the final preparations for our election night party on Tuesday ( hanging the " pin-the-lipstick-on-the-pig game and various pictures of Barack, John McCain, Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, Joe Biden, Joe the plumber etc), I couldn't fight the small tinge of nervousness that the election just might not turn out the way that I had anticipated and hoped for.

A devoted Barack supporter since 2004, I have put as much time, money and effort into his campaign that I possibly could. I scowered the national polls daily and wanted to believe that the election's result would be what the polls had predicted.

However, having lived through the eight years of lying, distortion, corruption and greed of the Bush administration, I was not convinced that they wouldn't pull some sneaky trick(s) out of their pocket to steal this election as well.

Sure, there may have been some dirty tricks they we're not aware of. However, no tactics could counter the voices of the people, who turned out in record numbers to take our country back. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of people waiting in line for hours to let their voice be heard.

I had a thought yesterday, would Obama have been elected if George Bush wasn't as God-awful as he and his administration is? Hypothetically, if it were McCain who was elected eight years ago, the McCain of eight years ago who was actually moderate and had some of my respect, was elected, would the country be as angry and action-driven as we are?

Probably not.

I wonder what life would have been like with the old John McCain. Yes, I would prefer any scenario in which a democrat was in office, but even then, as I cringed in frustration over the debauchery that led to Georgey Boy's presidency, I figured we would have been better off with any Republican other than him.

As I watched John McCain give his succession speach, I honestly felt awful for him. Yes, there's no way in hell I wanted him elected. However, on Tuesday night, I felt as if I was looking at a heart-broken man who had finally realized what the GOP made him into; a desparate, flip-flopping, lying, greedy old man.

Therefore, thank you George W. Bush for being the worst president in the history of the United States. You changed history for the worst but also the better. The horror of your reign finally forced those who clung desparately to stereotypes, close-mindedness and hatred to realize that the only enemy is our own prejudices. Thank you for bringing our nation to the point at which we had to examine and put aside our prejudices for the greater good of our nation.

Senator McCain, I'm sorry for what you allowed the GOP to turn you into. However, the nation demanded change and we are now stepping in the right direction.

It has been amazing to watch some of the key players in the Civil Rights movement to bear witness to these historic events. They waited over forty, long years to see this day. Forty years is a long time. Your hopes and prayers, my hopes and prayers, and the sentiment of the nation have finally brought us here. We are ready to do what's right. We're ready to bring about the change that we need.

It's never too late. For you, McCain, Bush, anyone, it's never too late to stand up for what's right.

Afterall, some things are better late than never.

Dear readers, I am overwhelmed with joy and pride.

You have chosen. We have chosen. His name and political party aside, our nation decided that eight is enough. We will not live in a country whose government supports corporate greed and only looks out for their self interest.

I will not mince words, there is a long journey ahead.

However, we decided today to embark on that journey together. The journey towards the glory days.

We will see it in our lifetime.

I thank you. I thank my country.

Here's to the next eight years!

Vote God damnit!

Don't let our forefather's work go in vain. They died for us to have this privilege.

And, if you haven't been enlightened enough to want to vote for Barack Obama, then I will no longer waste my breath. You're a lost cause, and so is this country if McCain gets elected.

I will however encourage you to take part in your government no matter which way you vote.

Its that important.

Then, you're an idiot.

With twenty four hours left, I will no longer mince words. Unless you are deaf, or dumb, there is no conceivable way that you could actually still be undecided. Seriously, this makes me in favor of voter eligibility having to include an IQ test.

Yes, that may sound elitist (and, unconstitutional) but I'm not talking about only the super smart being able to vote. I'm speaking about anyone with more than half a brain at this point.

Therefore, seen as how you have so much difficulty making a decision about the next president. Let me test your ability to make decisions at all.

Do you want to continue to live in the hell that the Bush administration has brought us to?

Do you want a leader that is old, possibly ailing, angry, dishonest, selfish and greedy?

Do you want a tax cut?

Do you want to support clean energy so that we no longer will have to rely on both foreign and domestic oil?

Do you want a leader that would pick that God-awful woman, Sarah Palin, as a potential leader of our country?

Do you want your Vice President, and possible president, to be stupid, uninformed, inexperienced, uber conservative, and unqualified?

If you answered no, congratulations, you've made your choice, Barack Obama! If you answered yes then please don't vote. However if you do, and McCain does win, remind me of where you live again so I can find you when I'm out of a job due to budget cuts and need a place to crash. For that matter, hope you have enough room for the millions of other Americans that will be out of a job as well.

Finally, if you're still not sure, a decision unmade is a decision made. You must really like the fact that the country is in the toilet. Or, perhaps, you are too afraid to admit to your family and friends that you couldn't possibly vote for a man of color.

Now you're an idiot and a racist.

Democracy is a gift and our role in it is a privilege. We are blessed to have the ability to elect candidates who represent our views and ideals. We as citizens can shift government so that it is working for us. However, it's a two-way street; we need to work for our government just as it works for us.

Do the work for your government. Show the nation that you are proud to live in a democracy. Take part in how the future of our nation will unfold. Vote.

The past is the past, the future is unknown, today is the present, that's why we call it a gift.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, vote!

Think about it.

This country is in the toilet. In the final forty eight hours before the election, Barack Obama is leading. However, it is still extremely concerning that he is not ahead by a much wider margin. I fear this is because many white, democratic and independent Americans are still wary of electing a black man to the office of the president.

How is the election still this close? After all, John McCain supported both an unpopular, if not the most unpopular, president and the war in Iraq. McCain also played a hand in this country's current economic crisis by voting for de-regulation as well as significant tax breaks for the very same financial corporations that squandered your 401K's on an impulsive and greedy whim. The country is in dire straights, John McCain helped us to get here. Not even his beloved Joe-the Plumber could pull us out of the crapper at this point.

What is important to you Americans? It blows my mind that this many Americans, Democratic and Independent voters no less, would vote for John McCain simply because the alternative happens to be a man of color. Actually it goes beyond that, it entirely and utterly terrifies me.

This polls do not just represent the deep-rooted prejudices that many Americans still have towards people of color, it speaks loud and clear to the fact that many of you are just afraid. Afraid that electing a black man to the office of the president will create a domino affect of electing other non-white men and women to positions of great power in America.

Is that thought so appalling to you? What is there to be afraid of? This country has been led by white men since it's inception. White men continue to head up major corporations ( like AIG, Lehman Brothers and Merril Lynch). It is mostly white men that are in that top 1% of our population who control the majority of the wealth in this country.

It has also been white men that have lied to you about the reasons for invading Iraq. A lie that has led to a price tag nearing a trillion dollars. Guess who's paying for that America? Us, ALL of us. Black, white, Asian and Hispanic. Every American citizen is paying for the deceit and disgrace that the current white men in office have caused, and will likely to continue to cause if John McCain is elected.

Look around dear Americans, this country is not made up entirely of white men, nor do white people remain the vast majority of our population. This country remains to be an international icon known for it's melting-pot society. Non-whites currently make up one third of our population. 45% of children under the age of five are non-white. That means in just twenty years, this country could potentially be equally mixed. The word " minority" dear Americans could be used to describe white people in the future. I can assure you at that time, it will not be a white man who is in office.

I say that not to scare you Americans, but to open your eyes to the reality that times are changing and we need to change with them. We need to embrace the change that this country so desperately needs. If you vote for John McCain just because the thought of a black man as president frightens you, then I pity you. That choice will only result in a reality that will be worse than your worst nightmares for this country.

Please don't be naive about the current state of our country and economy. We are just steps away from standing in soup lines. The current administration has brought us to the border of an economic crisis that parallels the Great Depression. That was almost a hundred years ago. We've come a long way since then. Voting for John McCain simply because he is white, could bring this country right back there.

As a a white woman, and a Democrat, there are many factors that I am basing my vote on for this election .

First of all, I want my country to embody the very ideals that it was founded upon; life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I want to be proud of my government again. I want to know that my taxes are being spent on initiatives to better our country and its citizens and not just to cater to the super rich.

I want to feel safe. I want to know that when my government tells me that there is an international threat, that it should be honest and accurate and not just a vehicle to provide work for private interests and shove democracy down the throat of a country who does not want us to be there.

I want the gap between the super rich and the middle class to be decreased. I want to be able to have and raise children in a country where people take part in democracy to vote for the candidates that represent their ideals and not their prejudices.

This country doesn't need a man of color to be able to achieve the change that it so desperately needs. This country needs a man who has the intelligence, qualifications, experience, patience and insight needed to lead this country in the right direction. That man ladies and gentlemen is Barack Obama.


I am a white, Democratic woman and I am voting for Barack Obama because his " wants" for this country, echo my own.

I plead with my white, Democratic and Independent peers to look inside themselves to realize what it is they really want from our next president. Is it a strong leader who will represent the best interests of its' citizens? Or, is it a man who lacks pigment in his skin?

Think about it.

Unfortunately, I had to attend the funeral of a young child this morning. As someone who has struggled with religious identity for years, being in a church is unfamiliar these days. However, as I listened to the minister's sermon, it inspired me to reflect on religion, my beliefs as well as that of our nation.

Religion is what drove the Pilgrims to America to begin with. It's also what conquerors/colonizers used as a justification for the decimation of millions of native peoples. Our country fostered religious freedom, yet a large ( Christian) majority still stands in judgement of anyone who does not share and/or practice their beliefs. They also would like to see religion play a part in politics and look down upon any politician who does not make decisions based on their religious inclinations.

Thank God there is a separation between church and state.

I thought a lot about Jesus this morning. Despite your religious views, Jesus in fact was a real man who stood up to an oppressive administration ( the Romans) for the good of all the people of . He was a community organizer who cared about the old, young, diseased and infirm. He stood up for change and inspired others to do the same.

Isn't that the ultimate Democrat?

There were many, mostly the Romans in power, who feared Jesus's influence and worried about a revolution. For, who would want to continue living oppressed lives when the promise of a better existence could be made possible by Jesus's influence? Jesus's ideas made sense but more importantly, the were moral and just. Sensing a threat to their power, the Romans had Jesus assasinated for speaking out against them.

Divinity aside, Barack Obama and Jesus Christ have a lot in common. They stood up, against all odds, for the greater good of their people. They struggled through adversity to get their message out to the people, and in turn, the people listened. The Romans ensured that Jesus would no longer be a threat to their rule by crucifying him. The Republicans have done everything within their power to elimintate Obama as a policital threat to their ruthless administration with their lies, distortions and scare tactics.

Revitalize your faith dear readers. Dig deep to find your faith, not in religion, but in the greater good of all Americans. We have been living in some dark times. A vote for John McCain will only cause this country to fall deeper into the hole that the Bush administration has left us in. Barack Obama is a beacon of change. He is a leader who stands out amongst other politicians as someone who truly wants to stand up for the greater good of all Americans.

Don't you want the kind of change that would restore this nation to greatness?

I have faith that you do.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Romeo & Juliet, Willliam Shakespeare

Okay, it's getting close now. We're only five days away. My heart is swelling in its optimism that this country will come to its senses and vote for the change we need. However, my stomach is churning over the thought of another eight years of HELL!!

Therefore, I reach out to you now. Let's take the names Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Undecided’s (blah, blah, and blah) and throw them out the window!

So, let's just examine the two men running for president, without names our political party affiliation. Let's just look at them as men, who they are, what they stand for and what they can bring to us as a president.

One man runs a dirty, smear campaign, even though he promised not. He claims to not know a lot about economic issues and vowed to choose a running mate who would. This same man chose an inexperienced and unqualified woman to be the possible leader of our nation. He supports big tax breaks for large corporations that bleed our wallets dry and send American jobs overseas. He also changes his platform every other week to appeal to your worst fears. He supported deregulation, and now is against it. He is erratic and impulsive. He believes in nuclear power over clean energy. He wants to privatize social security. He lies outright to the American public and distorts information to distract you from the insurmountable issues that we are all facing as a nation. Above all else, in the midst of a national crisis, he does everything in his power to scare and divide us as a nation instead of bringing us together to work for change.

Then we have another man, a relative newcomer. A newcomer that brings with him energy, optimism and a strong dedication to all Americans. A man who was against the very war that continues to suck $10 billion dollars a month out of our pockets. The same war that has cost the lives of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians. He is a force of change ready to rid our administration of the corruption, greed and sheer awfulness of the Bush administration. He supports clean energy. He supports the middle and lower class. He supports corporations that create American jobs instead of sending them overseas. He wants to provide every American with the basic right to healthcare. He is intelligent, insightful, open-minded and ready to step into the role of president to bring us together, inspire hope and unity and dedication. For, it will take tremendous dedication to bring this country to greatness.

I ask you, please reflect on this information. No matter what your party affiliation, gender, social class or political views are. Which of these men do you really believe will bring about the change that we need?

Names aside, a rose will still smell as sweet as a rose no matter what it's called. And a lying, bitter old man who wants to regurgitate Bush's failed policies will still stink, even if you call him a "maverick".

I implore you, think about it.

As this seemingly endless campaign draws nearer and nearer to its close, members of John McCain's own party are coming out of the woodwork about their disdain of their candidate, John McCain.

They, like me, share the concern that McCain's practices throughout his campaign have been a bad omen for a possible role in the White House.

If we put political parties aside, let's examine McCain's actions over the past twenty months so that you can make a decision about his ability to effectively lead this country.

1) He's a liar. McCain vowed to run a clean campaign, yet, he has managed to pull off the dirtiest campaign that I've ever been aware of. He lies about Obama's policies, character and personal and political ties.

2) He has bad judgment. I could sum up his bad judgment in two words: Sarah Palin. However, his poor judgment exists above and beyond choosing that vile woman as his running mate. McCain voted for, supported and continues to support our place in Iraq. The $10 billion a month pales in comparison to the thousands of US military that have died there as well as the over six hundred thousand Iraqi civilians who have died. In addition, McCain was involved in a Savings and Loan scandal that resulted in his ethics being called into question in the senate.

3) He's a flip-flopper. Although flip-flops remain my shoe ware of choice, I tend to scoff at politicians who claim a stance on an issue, and change it whenever it is no longer a popular choice. I don't know about you, but that's not much of a "maverick".

4) He's a noted hot head. I do not trust an erratic, ill-tempered, elderly man to handle the nation's most serious crises that involve insight, patience and open-mindedness.

5) He's not the brightest bulb. McCain, just hours before the stock markets dropped, told his followers that our “economy is strong". He lacks the intelligence and insight that would have prevented this situation. He's for deregulation without any regard for how that can, and did, negatively affect us.

6) He doesn't care. He doesn't care about you, me or the rest of America. He cares about giving huge tax breaks to big corporations. He doesn't care that throughout this election, he's sold his soul to the devil, or the GOP anyway. Most of all, he cares about winning and will do anything to do just that.

Do you want a dim, erratic, lying, flip-flopping man with poor judgment and lack of care for all Americans to run this nation?

Think about it.

In the sp   more »

In preparation of dressing up as Sarah Palin for Halloween, I did some serious research into her look, style and personality. What I noticed, besides the pricey designer suits, was her unique vernacular. In particular, I've noted her tendency to drop the "ing" in words ending in "ing".

Therefore, I've composed a list of "ins'" related to Sarah Palin and John McCain. Enjoy.

1) Distortin', as in the ludicrous distortions that Palin and McCain use in terms of Barack Obama's plans, policies and character.

2) Lyin'- a tactic used when distortin' is not enough.

3) Deflectin'- what they both do when asked to explain and/or justify their bogus plans.

4) Reformin'- something that neither of them know anything about.

5) Cuttin'- taxes for the super rich, and every social plan and policy that the Bush administration hasn't already destroyed.

6) Supportin'- big corporations.

7) Spendin'- billions of dollars a month in Iraq.

8) Incitin'- hatred and rage in their followers, the same hatred and rage that could lead to violence against Barack Obama.

9) Lagin'- in the polls.

10) Carin'- less about Americans, specifically, Joe the Plumber.

11) Uppin'- how John feels after he dips into his wife Cindy's, pills.

12) Yellowin'- what's happening to McCain's teeth.

13) Burnin'- books in Alaska that contain theories of evolution.

14) Firin'- what Palin did to her safety commissioner after he didn't fire her ex-bother-in-law.

15) Graspin'- at straws because their platform is garbage and the majority of the country is beginning to realize it.

16) Laughin'- which is what I did when I first found out about Palin, because c'mon, is that lady serious? Too bad the joke is no longer funny!

17) Lookin' - at Russia from Palin's house.

18) Fartin'- as in the dust that McCain is farting because he's do so old.

19) Tickin'- me off everyday.

20) Losin'- which is what's going to happen for them if you vote for the change we need.

These are the short list of their "in's" but it should definitely be the reason why they should be OUT of the White House.

Please chose wisely, Obama's lead is decreasing. We cannot afford another eight years of disaster.

Vote for Change. Vote for Barack Oabama