Are we really that stupid?

I am sure all of you are as sick as I am of politics. I seriously can't wait for November 2nd to be over; which is sad when I think of it because I used to love politics. I majored in Political Science and even worked for a Member of the US House of Representatives. However, as I have gotten older I have become more annoyed with the political process and the "politics" of government.

Maybe I am a cynic now; but sometimes I feel like I am choosing the lesser of two evils. I will be honest, in our last Presidential election I casted my vote as a write in. I wouldn't choose either of the two major candidates. However, I do spend my time researching the candidates and issues on my own. I don't just vote for a person because they happen to belong to my party. I don't just vote for a proposition because that is what my party wants me to do. I don't vote based on those annoying TV commercials or any mailer I receive.

Most people I talk to don't even know the issues, they only know what they see on TV commercials. People generally don't watch debates anymore and I feel that the responsibility to actually vote is taken lightly. It's a big deal in our country to have the right to vote. All of this leads me to the title of my post.

As Americans, I feel we do have a responsibility to vote, and most importantly to vote responsibly. A friend of mine was out campaigning for a candidate and began a discussion with one of her neighbors. The neighbor explained that one day she was riding with her son in his "professional touring car" (what ever that is... I am guessing something that makes the car extra expensive) a campaign sign for a candidate for governor flew from the side of the road and scraped the side of her son's car causing some damage. This woman has been trying to get a hold of this candidate and fully expects to be paid for the damage to the car. She also stated that because the sign was blown by the wind and damaged the car, she was voting for the opponent! Seriously???? That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard. Putting a person in office just because the opponent's sign scraped the car? I just don't know what else to say other than to wonder if we might actually be that stupid!

Whew...it's over!

I don't think I am the only person who feels this way. I want to scream it from the roof tops... the election is FINALLY over. I have been so bombarded with phone calls, mailers and nastiness from neighbors, I am so glad it is over.

As I stayed up late last night watching returns I had many mixed emotions. I didn't vote for our new president elect, (the person who I would have like to see win wasn't even listed on my ballot) but I seriously recognized the history being made as we elected our first African-American president. I felt sincerity in his speech as he reached out to those of us who are still very skeptical of him and his plan for our country. Going into last night I thought I would be pretty depressed but surprisingly I wasn't. As I listened to him, my thoughts were all right man, here is your shot. You Democrats have no more excuses! I am willing to cross party lines I will be open. As much as I wasn't a strong McCain supporter either I was equally impressed with his speech. Wither or not you agree with his policies you must recognize that he has made a tremendous contribution to our country. There have been elections in the past where we have seen sore losers. Even as recent as 4 years ago. However, you can't say that about McCain he was gracious in his defeat and in offering his full support to our President-elect and also encouraging his supporters to do so.

It wasn't all disappointing. We were successful in CA, the one part of this election where I worked the hardest. As much as it was an up hill battle, Prop. 8 passed! As many people said last night now is a time to heal and come together. Bob Marley said it best..."Don't worry about a thing...Everything little thing gonna be alright."