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That being said, it took me a very long time to decide who to vote for. After reading websites and platforms, taking into account experience, intelligence, and doing this both for the federal elections, but also the local ones, I could not make a decision. I've been pretty sure I didn't want to vote Republican after the past 8 years - I frankly think they will be remembered as one of the darkest periods in American history (at least by the rest of the world, anyway). When McCain selected Palin as his running mate, and she started campaigning, I knew I wasn't going to vote Republican. First, I still think it was a lame attempt to get former Hillary voters, but I also think Palin is an idiot. Her inability to actually answer the questions she was asked in the VP debate was astonishing. The fact that the media called that debate a "tie" when she wouldn't even answer the questions asked - well, I guess we all know the pundits are idiots. I'm not much a fan of the media, either.

Then there is Obama... Well, I've never been sold on Obama. Yes, he is a good speaker, but his lack of experience is certainly disturbing to me. After all, George W. Bush was also inexperienced, and look how that turned out... Not only that, but the based their whole campaign on "change." I don't really believe he can (or will) do anything substantial to change the country. Frankly, I have zero faith that either of the two major political parties want to change anything. I'm cynical, but I'm also realistic. Another thing that bugs me about Obama is highlighted in my friend Frank's blog entry by this line:

"I am so done hanging around liberal friends who’ve all but made Barack Obama the second coming of the Jesus H. Christ-nailed to a hybrid car holding a Macbook in one hand and free trade coffee in the other."

Now I realize both parties may be voting based on things other than the issues, but it has seemed way too blatant in the case for Obama. Some of the supporters have impressed me as being so fanatical that they are almost like those celebrity stalkers you hear about on TV. The thing that sucks is that these people have built him up to Christ-like stature, but what happens when he doesn't bring about earth-moving, super-change? He will be considered a disappointment for all time. When you set your expectations too high, you're always going to be disappointed.

So, this past week I received three robo-calls from the Obama campaign, 4 phone calls from live campaign workers, and had two Obama signs hung on my door (of my secured apartment building - in the SAME DAY!). This stuff really pisses me off. One call is enough, I can deal with that. I was getting calls at 9pm at night, in the morning, etc. I was ready to abstain on the presidential vote after this crap - I just can't tolerate it. Not to mention the people at EVERY freaking metro station who would basically accost you to try to get you to sign up to vote and declare your support for Obama. It worries me that if Obama wins, we're going to have "Obama Youth" and people will just blindly follow this guy.

But, perhaps the thing that bothered me most of all is why a few people have told me they are voting for Obama. I have had three people who I have asked (and it would probably be more, had I asked more people), tell me they were voting for Obama because he is black. One of those people even said they wouldn't be voting if the Democrats had put up someone who wasn't black. (Ok, now I know that there are idiots out there who are going to vote McCain just because Obama's black too, and that is just as insane). I'm sorry people, but skin color is NOT a valid reason for voting for someone, period. I cannot tell you how angry that makes me.

On top of all that stuff, I am seriously concerned that Democrats will get fillibuster proof majorities in both the House and Senate. I do not want both the Legislative and Executive branches of government under one-party control. I don't think anything good will come of that, it is when there are challenges made to legislation that we get better legislation. I would love to see a third party make some gains in one of the chambers, but I know that's never going to happen until they get equal media coverage (and/or have the money to buy advertising).

I did end up voting for a candidate. I still feel uneasy about my vote, but then agian, I've never voted for a winner, so maybe I shouldn't worry too much! A couple of random things that happened while at the polling place: