EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

***DISCLAIMER: it has always been my 'political policy' not to shove my political views down anyone else's throat, and i expect the same from others. because of that, i don't really talk politics with many people, and if somehow i get dragged into a conversation containing the like, i often do my best to excuse myself from the conversation as soon as humanly possible. i've found that there are very few people that share my opinion that politics can only be successfully discussed by parties involved, should everyone be willing to really listen and rebut calmly and with respect for others' opinions. the famous french philosopher voltaire once said, and i wholeheartedly agree, that "i may not agree with what you have to say, but i'll defend to the death, your right to say it." so this my friends, is merely my opinion on a topic that i seldom speak of, but am extremely passionate about, for reasons you will understand by the end of this post.

i've been toiling over writing this since the emails rolled in about the footer i started using on all of my posts back in january; the footer by which this post is titled. honestly, it was my way of subliminaly supporting my political perspective. early on in the political race, when myspace & mtv had an interactive debate with the candidates, i came to the conclusion (again, in my opinion) that none of the republican candidates have what it's going to take to turn around our country. not that i could form that opinion of mccain, because he was far to busy to even show up; as he has been absent for the rallying of young voters across the country throughout the campaign. i do not, nor have i ever voted based on party lines, as i declare myself a 'demopublican.' i feel that most voters in this country are too easily swayed by the leftwing, rightwing garble; and although i have declared myself a democrat for voting purposes, i have voted for republicans during elections of the past, be it state or national. i don't plan on voting for the next president based on the labels stating black, white, male or female; so why would i vote based on the label of democrat or republican?

early on, after making the determination that i would support 'any democrat 2008,' i started thinking... wouldn't it be the perfect, like finding the 'golden ticket' in a wonka bar to have two of the most qualified and capable people, who have ever run for office, to run together to represent the democratic party, and ultimately our country in 2008. that's where the title comes in.


now although the golden ticket that i found in my wonka bar says clinton/obama '08, i'd be just as happy had it said obama/clinton '08. for as i said earlier, hillary clinton and barack obama have what it takes to clean up washington and help the world gain back the respect that this great country of ours has lost in the last seven and a half years.

EXPERIENCE+change=2008
hillary clinton prides herself on experience. she no doubt has experiences that will help her to lead our country. she has been criticized for voting for the war in iraq, but has since supported the withdrawl of our troops; lest we not forget about the false 'weapons of mass destruction.' she's against the ban of same-sex marriage. since her days as first lady she has supported healthcare reform. environmental groups score her in the high 90's for supporting environmental reform. she supports reforms in education, and strongly believes in making it more affordable for more people. she believes in women having a choice. [reference]

experience+CHANGE=2008
barack obama preaches the need for change in our government in our country. a change that he has the ability and passion to bring about. he has voted against the war in iraq since the beginning. he supports civil unions & gay equality. he supports affordable, high-quality healthcare. he is also scored in the high 90's by environmental groups. he opposes education vouchers and supports educational reform. he also supports a women's right to choose. [reference]

they are much more alike than they pretend to be. the cut-throat mudslinging that has gone on regarding these and several other issues has only made them seem undesirable. in this week's issue of u.s. news and world report, there is an article about obama, and how his campaign needs to "fight back harder against hillary," in order to show that he has what it takes to face mccain in the general election. ahh the politics of politics.

the WARMONGER
let's look for a minute in the other direction, at the warmonger, john mccain. he not only supports bush's efforts in the war, he believes we should send more troops to the frontlines. he constantly flip-flops on the issue of gay marriage and equality. environmetal groups give him a score of 50, out of 100, for his support of their issues. he supports education vouchers, which would take money out of public schools, and does not support the efforts of the national education association. he supports the national right-to-life committee and does not support planned parenthood. is this what our country really needs? more of what we already have in george w. bush? i don't think so. [reference]

at this time in our country's history, when more young people are voting than ever before and when less and less americans are actively seeking a change in their current status; we all need to make a conscious effort to inform ourselves about the candidates that can really make the change. charisma and statistics will only go so far. i challenge you to help bring about change in the great united states of america. forget about black and white; male and female. vote on the issues. vote on what is important to you. vote to help make our country a better place to live, vote to bring back the american dream. the next few weeks will determine things for clinton and obama. i can only hope that regardless of the outcome at the democratic national convention, that the candidate that emerges, lives up to their platform. that they have the balls to make things happen, and turn our country around. until then, celebrate your freedom and pray for experience & change in 2008.

"I cannot say whether things will get better if we change;
what I can say is they must change if they are to get better."
~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
CHOOSE OR LOSE.
DECLARE YOURSELF.
VOTE 411.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008