The Bullhorn Isn't Mightier than the Brain

In America, we love to talk about politics. We see it as the ultimate culmination of our freedoms. We get free speech, freedom to challenge the government, freedom to disagree all rolled into one adrenaline filled sport. We are brought up hearing the time honored phrases, "give me liberty or give me death, the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." 

We take so personally this sacred duty that we often personalize the issues and ideals that we are debating. "I disagree with the war," becomes "I disagree with your value system and who you are at your very core." "I think we need a stronger educational system to keep our children from falling behind in the global economy," becomes "I don't think you know how to raise your own children and I can do it better."

Talking about politics and issues and ideas IS our sacred duty. Those who ask what the point of talking about it is have too long watched the red-faced rancorous arguing of the political junkie. The very foundation of this country is not religious freedom, it isn't our brilliant system of checks and balances, it is not our capitalist economy. It is our free market of ideas. The ability to talk and reason through issues is what led to all of our other freedoms and what protects them.

Talk. Discuss. Don't get angry, get verbose.

Moderate is a 4 letter word

I used to fall in with the idea that moderates in politics were a triumph of mediocrity. That going to the middle was a fail-safe way to win elections and nothing more. Out flank your opponent on the left or right according to which party you are in to achieve the nomination and then drive straight for the center to win the general election. 

I no longer believe this.

As hard as it is to hear, both sides have valid points and, (gasp) both sides get it right on different issues. I am a moderate. It isn't because I am afraid to make a decision or have no moral compass to keep me far on one end. It is because on some issues I end up on the left and on some I end up on the right. 

With education I believe that democrats have a better idea. We need a strong centralized system of public education in this country. Giving control to local politicians and school boards does not help us. They teach what they believe to be important in their community and the children are often left with very small horizons and little competitiveness in the world at large. We compete with people from almost every country for our jobs and are quickly becoming the least qualified. We have one of the higher illiteracy rates, we go to school for fewer days. How can we ask children to compete like this.

With tax breaks for small businesses, I end up on the right. As the economy continues to react from a harsh downturn and businesses refuse to hire military personnel because they are constantly deployed, many Americans are turning to opening their own businesses. The business owner is the backbone of the American economy and needs help in fighting giants like Walmart to stay alive. That being said, the wave of tax breaks for billion dollar conglomerates and allowing the monopolization of media outlets needs to be turned.

The conventions of the past couple weeks have in no way told us what the stances are on the issues. They are meerly a rabble rousing pep rally of like minded followers, a parade to create support going into a general election that is less about the issues and more about popularity and name recognition.

Please, do not rest in listening to debates and prewritten poll tested speeches to make your decision. Research, study, question and then decide for yourself who you think is the most qualified to lead.

Birthday blues? nah

My birthday was yesterday. I'm not depressed about turning 26. It isn't the incessant march of time that has me a little down. It's all the damn pressure to have a good day. Your birthday is supposed to be spent celebrating, spent with friends, enjoying a carefree day as your friends and family all rejoice in the wonderfulness that is you...right?

Well, what happens if you happen to be tired or cranky or exhausted from dealing with two over exuberant puppies? Then you find yourself in the spiral of I know I should be having a great time, but I'm just having an okay time. Nothing is going wrong, there is nothing to be sad or upset about. But dammit it's my birthday. I should have a huge I just got !@#$ grin plastered across my face.

Well kids, here's the hard and simple truth. Life is good. I'm enjoying this thing that my parents heaped onto my unsuspecting conscious. Thrills, romance and adventure they always told me. Thrills...every time I get into a car in Huntington. It is a life endangering roller-coaster. Romance? I've get to live with my best friend and play all the time. I love her and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual so I have that going for me. Adventure? Well I've had lots of them. I'm looking forward to lots more. In the meantime, launching my own company I think counts as a pretty big adventure.

So in the end, I'm glad yesterday is over and done. There was too much well wishing for a happy birthday from too many people. I don't care if those 24 little hours were that great, because the next ones and all the hours to come, have a lot of promise.