Election Blahs

I read on someone's signature today an awesome new definition for something I appear to be inflicted with as well:

Electile Disfunction.

No, not erectile, but electile. As in " The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for President put forth by either party during an election year."

How it is used:
"Is anyone appealing to you in this years presidential race?"
"Naa... No one excites me. I think I'm suffering from Electile Dysfunction."

That is exactly how I feel about the upcoming election. I'm a registered Republican, but I don't consider many of the current crop of Republican leaders to be true conservatives. So let's see what we have to work with, shall we?

On the Donkey side, I have Barack Obama, who, IMHO, might have some racial tendencies about Caucasians, or is partially surrounded by people who have prejudices. He attended a church for 20 years and considered the pastor a friend, a church where the pastor has been caught saying some really vitriolic stuff (as well as more stuff from guest preachers). Are you really trying to tell me that the Rev. Wright just started spewing that type of stuff this year? I think not. There are even rumors about his wife holding similar viewpoints. No, Barack is not his wife. But for those of us who are married... Yeah, the wife holds a bit of sway in things like it or not. As a Caucasian (and with children who are Caucasian), naturally I'm scared of this -- I want equality, not inequality as revenge. Just because I'm white, doesn't mean I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth. Hell, I grew up in Kensington - We used stainless steel in our silverware, thank you.

I truly believe the only thing holding us back from a color-blind world is ourselves. I know that's easy to say as a white man, but when you're a white man with no real concern over color. My friends are my friends because of who they are inside, not because of their skin color. Therefore, hearing what "white people" are trying to do hurts - I know racism still exists, but recognize that most people don't even think about race. We're all just people - Its how we act towards others that determines how valued we are. I really hope I'm wrong about Obama, since I actually like the guy. Oh well, enough venting on that.

On the Elephant side, I have John McCain. Four years ago, I liked him over Bush. I feel he is generally a centrist-to-conservative. But lately... I don't know if he's trying to pander to the Religious Right (whatever that is) or what, but he's changing some positions from where he voted over the last few years. Therefore, he sounds really... Confused lately. I don't think its his age (I liked Reagan as president, even with his age), but he should stick with what got him to where he is in this election and in government. I even have disagreements on some of his policies now. In particular (and no, its not very conservative), I've come around to the need for some form of socialized medicine. Personally, I'd like to see the government paying the bills for everyone to join existing health plans.

You might say "Steve, the health plans are EVIL!" Actually, they are not. However, they are paying for all of the people who DON'T pay at the hospital, and your escalated costs cover them already. By using the existing plans (and, particularly, their already-established billing and payment systems), we can implement a plan to cover all Americans a LOT faster.

Honestly? Never gave socialized medicine a second thought. After all, I'm employed and have insurance, right? Well, lemme tell ya some more on what cancer does for you. I actually worried more about losing my insurance if my company let me go, then about the cancer itself. That's a problem, folks. You have a million things you need to worry about with a serious illness, whether or not you'll get quality care shouldn't be one of them.

So... I'm in a tossup, and have an awful case of electile disfunction. I really don't care which one of them wins at this point, and that's really really sad. I just don't think either of them are going to help me as an American citizen. Right now I'm leaning Barack, but my heart's not in it, you know?