McCain Historic Choice for Vice President: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska

Well there is no doubt that McCain’s Vice Presidential pick has stolen some of the lingering thunder of the Democratic Convention because he has certainly shocked America by choosing a virtual unknown for the ticket; the merits of which continue to be vigorously debated. Sarah Palin, the Republican Governor of Alaska, brings an interesting angle to McCain’s campaign but I’m not sure what her candidacy can do for America.

Governor Palin is an evangelical Christian, a life time member of the NRA and a card-carrying member of the religious right. She is against abortion and believes it should be banned for anything other than saving the life of the mother. She is against stem cell research, is against state health benefits for same-sex partners and believes creationism should be a part of the school curriculum.

There are many Americans who believe in these matters completely but there are many more that do not. I am not sure that this is the philosophy of change that America needs. McCain may be a maverick and she may be one too but these are not the type of policies that a country rising to meet the challenges of the 21^st century can completely embrace.

Democratic Convention: Barack Obama Hits It Out of The Park!

Barack Obama's speech was so magnificent that Fox News was fawning, no matter how hard they tried they could not keep up the anti-Democratic climate that they have been cultivating all week. Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, frequent Fox News contributor and standard bearer of the Republican Party line, who has denounced and trounced every speech so far was clear in his evaluation; it was a great speech! For those of you who know and understand the perspective of Fox News; no greater compliment can be found.

If you missed it, YouTube It, Download It, Re-Stream It, Buy the video tape! Even if you are a staunch Republican, you have to see, read or hear this speech so you know what you are up against. There is not much more that I can say other than I can't wait for the Republican Convention next week. This is a real race folks and there is no doubt about it. I for one am not missing one minute of it.

Democratic Convention: Obama-Biden is the Ticket

With a lead up by President Bill Clinton and Sen. John Kerry, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware accepted the nomination as the Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate and launched into a speech that without a doubt made it clear why he was chosen and what this ticket would offer to the American people. And, although Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic Presidential nominee had not been present at the convention thus far, he presented himself at the end of Biden’s speech to seal visually and completely the Democratic ticket for President.

Once again the speeches were on point and delivered exactly what was expected of them. Though the press may want to continue to trump up a Clinton-Obama discord between the delegates, it was pretty clear that the Democrats had reached common ground.

Whether we want to accept it or not, this election is different. The policies of the past 8 years have left the country bereft. Reaganomics worked in the 80s when we needed to spur industry and growth, back when America still outranked the world economically and created wealth within its borders. This decade it has had a negative effect because in this decade it is about competing in the world economy. The wealth no longer trickles down only to Americans; it is spread across the world. As we can see, many countries in the world have improved their economic standing greatly.

Which candidate will help America to reclaim its helm and once again set an example of innovation and prosperity? We cannot continue to borrow from China to purchase oil from the Middle East; whether we consider them Allies or not should not be of consequence. We are the Superpower; we should still be rich enough to buy what we want when we want it on the world stage. We should not be borrowing for our basic needs. This is in fact what many middle class folks are doing; should America, the greatest country on earth be doing that too?

Democratic Convention: Hillary Rocks and Brian Schweitzer Comes in 2nd

People of America, why aren’t you watching the Democratic Convention? Hillary Clinton’s speech was excellent and Governor Schweitzer, a person that I had not heard very much about was a dynamo delivering a rousing speech that engaged the arena and got people out of their seats. Other notable speeches were made by former Governor Mark Warner of Virginia and Senator Bob Casey Jr of Pennsylvania. Just about 21 million out of an estimated 112 million U.S. households tuned into the convention coverage at 10pm Eastern Time. How can we call ourselves a Democracy when we don’t even take the time to engage in the political process of our country? I hope that more Americans will tune in for the final days of the Democratic Convention and tune in next week when the Republicans have their turn.

What is the point of traipsing our military out in the world to fight in the name of democracy when we barely exercise the right ourselves. We can sit around and complain all we want or we can take the time to find out about our presidential candidates, learn about the Democratic and Republican party platforms and learn about some of the elected officials within each party. We cannot make assumptions and pass up our opportunity to learn more about the political process because we already have preconceived notions about each political party.

After watching the conventions, you may conclude that neither party satisfies your agenda or that you were mistaken about what each party represented. Maybe you will find out that it is OK to cross party lines when you realize that they are out of touch with your values. Maybe you find that your faith in your party is renewed or maybe you will conclude that there was a reason why you chose not to watch the whole convention circus to begin with. Whatever you decide, at least your decision is informed. A Democracy requires participation of and by its citizens and citizens cannot participate responsibly without being informed. If we are not going to bother to learn about and participate in our government during the election process then we are conceding our rights to the people that do. And perhaps we may not like what they sign us up for.

Are You Watching the Democratic Convention?

This week I am watching the Democratic National Convention and next week I will be watching the Republican National Convention. We dutifully watched the Olympics and now it is time to watch the “Political Olympics.” While we have been steeped in the lofty ideals of spreading democracy around the world, we have not practiced it to the extent that we should. We decry the authoritarian and totalitarian governments across the seas and carry Democracy as a badge of honor, independence, sacrifice, commitment and totality of the right of individuals to have a say in their government yet we let Media predilections inform our choice. We must seize the opportunity as responsible citizens to engage in our political process and to witness the essence of each political party through their conventions; the official nomination ceremonies for their presidential candidates. Only then can we learn enough of each party platform to make an informed decision when we enter the voting booths in November.

This is an election for the future of America and anyone in doubt of that is sorely mistaken. We all need to pay attention to what each party has to offer and to decide for ourselves through our freedom to vote who is best equipped to lead our country. We need to set aside race, gender, age and political affiliation to arrive at the best solution. This is a time that requires the best person to win without the usual biases that bog down the political process.

Tonight, if you were watching, Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention was dynamic; the most incredible speech given by a pre-first lady in my cognizance of politics which for me begins with the Presidency of Jimmy Carter. Though the CNN Anchors complained of the lack of energy during prime-time, I was moved by the speeches and/or appearances of Representative Jessie Jackson, Jr, Caroline Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter, Former Republican Representative Jim Leach, and Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill leading into Michelle Obama’s keynote speech. I was disappointed that the Fox News Anchors felt compelled to incorporate a negative thread into the proceedings simply because it is not a pro-Republican event. Finally, I was surprised that CNN, MSNBC and FOX all chose to put their talking heads above the proceedings; the very proceedings that would help to give the American people insight into the quality of the Democratic candidacy. Thankfully, PBS saved the day by broadcasting the lesser known speakers and slide shows that in my estimation were no less important despite the major networks choice not to broadcast.

Michelle Obama's speech was electrifying in that we have never heard a pre-first lady speak with such alacrity, clarity and brilliance. This is a woman who lived the American dream; whose working class parents dreamed of a better life for their children and whose children became successful people who at the pinnacle of their careers chose to give back to the community just like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, JFK, RFK and everyone else out there and the fact that they are black people does not make them different or any less American; not by a long shot. We have to understand that we are all Americans with the same dreams and we make choices for or against education (academic or vocational) that define how successful we become. I await the Republican Convention with the same anticipation because this election depends on our ability to transcend our biases and pick leadership that will reverse the negative trend in government that has come to define our existence. We can be lulled into submission by our usual selves or we can seize the chance to educate ourselves and rise above the tendency toward shallow convictions. Be informed citizens! At the very least you owe that to your country.

Waiting for the Official Race

For the last 2 years the nation has been a swirl with the presidential primaries. The run for the White House dominates national news sometimes to the exclusion of everything else. This weekend is the democratic convention and next weekend is the republican convention; the official race is soon to begin. In just over 2 months we will be voting for a new president.

America is facing difficult economic times and is still knee deep in a difficult war. Our foreign relations have been strained and our government is not only deeply in debt but completely at the mercy of special interests. Each candidate claims they have the better plan to solve these problems and the victor will surely be tested over the next 4 years.

In my view, neither candidate has put forth a workable plan. I am looking to these 2 conventions to give me better information. No matter your political affiliation, we all need to be watching, America's future is at stake.

Federal Debt: How Much is Too Much?

I have been especially worried about this economic downturn because of the amount of debt associated with it. Not just for individuals but on the part of the federal government and its entities. The treasury and the federal reserve are borrowing and spending like wildfire to prop up the economy. The federal government has tacked on more debt in the past 8 years than it had acquired in its entire previous existence. The 2009 budget deficit is already close to $500 billion ($500,000,000,000) and the national debt is over 10 trillion ($10,000,000,000,000).

The government has the highest level of debt it has ever had. The American people have the highest level of debt they have ever had. Yet we don’t seem to be too worried. While we all worry about the state of the economy, many look to the government for help and the government is helping. Maybe we Americans simply do not understand how much the government is borrowing for all of the bailouts. Many Americans are suffering now because they didn't recognize their debt limit until it was too late. New York state is currently trimming its budget in order to combat its rising deficit before it becomes unmanageable. When will the federal government realize that it has borrowed too much? What amount will that be?