My Virginia Rights

When I first started blogging over a year ago, I set out to put down on paper, if you will, some of my ridiculous rants and observations. I think I'm funny, and I try ever so hard to prove it. It's been awhile since I've blogged, and I suppose this entry will piss some people off (well, there are only two of you who actually read this, so I hope you won't stop talking to me after this). I won't be funny today. I thought I would be brief-ish. I may have failed on that too. But it's an election year and I can't help but comment on one of my favorite pastimes.

I'll start by saying I'm still sad that Hillary is not my party's elected choice for President. She has all the right credentials to be a good president. Having a vagaygay was the added value. How often have we said "if women ruled the world" - here we had a chance and somehow we blew it.

Of course McCain is a tricky one. I was always a big fan as he is my home state senator. Until recently, he was a man of integrity, honesty, and someone I wholeheartedly respected. A Goldwater Republican who believed in small government, strong defense and what happens in the home, stays in the home. If I were to become a Republican, this would be my brand.

I appreciate the ambition required to become President. It's cut-throat, winner take all. You have to 'throw your mamma off the train' to win, at least that seems to be the standard by the Republican party these days (has anyone seen Roberta McCain this week?). Karl Rove perfected that strategy. And now that his people are running the McCain campaign, I'm left to wonder what happened to Johnny?

Selecting Palin was an interesting ploy. Appeal to disappointed, suddenly disenfranchised women who have been punching the glass so hard our hands are the only things left shattered.

Obama, like a lover grown weary, stopped listening to our 18 million voices. McCain was all too ready to step in, in typical man-fashion, and "fix our problem".

The thing is, we weren't looking for an "insert X here" solution. We wanted, and still want, candidates that will reflect our position on issues critical to the future of this country - healthcare, family, economy, environment, security. When we break the roof, we will do it together, with the right woman in the lead.

The problem with Palin, in my view, is that she's George Bush in a skirt. Her brand of conservatism isn't compassionate, it's restrictive. She cut education spending, limited funding for special needs children (ironic), she opposes sex education (except for abstinence only), stem-cell research, a woman's right to manage her reproductive rights, but supports the death penalty, increased gun rights, reducing environmental protections for animals, and more drilling for oil.

I don't care about the drama of her family circumstances. Families are complicated. Life happens. What you make of your situations says more about a person than the situation itself. Do you make a sour face or make lemonade? I give her a lot of credit for normalizing her daughter's pregnancy (and am amazed at the silence on the right). The girl is young and made poor choices. But is fortunate to have a mother that isn't locking her in the attic with the crazy aunt.

Of course, the point of this is also that they have choices. Flash forward a few years, if McCain's health impedes his ability to serve in the Oval Office. The dems have blown their majority position at the mid-term elections and the Republicans control the legislation. How long do you think it will take for her to select and push through the next round of conservative judges. How long do you think it will take Congress to pass the next round of restrictions on reproductive rights. It almost makes me want to go out and get that abortion I've always wanted.

I hope I haven't offended you too much. I have more to say on Palin (not just about my virginia rights). So if you care to discuss, post a comment, here or on my facebook page. I won't be offended if you disagree with me.