The Sarah Palin Effect

One thing I've been unable to understand, especially through this election year, is why people would choose someone that was seemingly incompetent, but was somebody they could relate to, for a job that was ultimately going to affect those making the decision. (Sorry, I'm weaning myself off of strictly political talk, but not cold turkey.) Ok, I was calling Sarah Palin seemingly incompetent here, but I'm not trying to pick fights, as I understand there are some bitter feelings in the aftermath of this election... What I don't understand is why would people consider someone wrong for a job, potentially not so wrong? "Joe the Plumber" is considering running for Congress in the future. He was dragged around on the campaign trail speaking his thoughts on the elections! Who is listening to some random guy that is working, with questionable legality, as a plumber and looking to him for political guidance?!?! What sense does this make and why does it happen in Politics? We don't turn to the farmer to gauge his enlightened viewpoints on our 401(k)'s. We don't look to our mechanic to check out a toothache. Why look to people with no business in politics or maybe just no business at the national level in some cases, in the hopes that they will be the ones best suited to making decisions for us?!?! It seems a little mad to me. On the opposite side, though, so did cries of being elite. I want the best, most elite and well-trained doctors, lawyers, and leaders! I don't want Joe Schmoe, Joe the Plumber, or Joe Sixpack filling any of those roles, personally... I am kind of an elitist, though...

Our Time for Change Arrived!

Well, it finally came and went, one of the most anticipated Election Days in ages... Tensions were high for everybody even slightly interested in the elections and I think this was one of the most highly watched elections in US history. With today's modern technology, it was also watched around the world in real time and people all around the world were excited when at 8:00pm last night, just as the west coast polls closed, Barack Obama was named as the next President of the United States. I know that there are many who were not excited and are actually bitter, from my experiences today, but last night, there was such a rush of excitement in the city of Seattle! People were running the streets, honking horns, yelling cheers, high-fiving, and practically EVERYBODY was happy and excited! It was like a wave of good feelings had just rushed over the city of Seattle (and from the calls and texts I received, all over the world)! Everybody was calling, texting, congratulating, celebrating, and communicating! It was really something. I felt the biggest relief after what felt like an endless campaign leading up to yesterday. It was such a relief on the one hand, but I was still very nervous about Washington's Gubernatorial race between the incumbent Governor Gregoire and Dino Rossi. It was looking really good around midnight and I finally felt like I could relax even more! The feeling in the air last night was incredible and just a wash of relief for so many around the world. Now, we need to maintain that feeling, but everybody needs to not just consider everything finished. We who wanted the change and everybody, actually, needs to keep on working towards improving our situation, changing the nation positively and rebuilding!

I'm still a little worried because I haven't heard what happened with Tim Eyman's latest proposal, but I hope it didn't pass!

Election Day!!!

Well, this is it! The day that has been being led up to for the last two years... It's election night, 2008. Polls have closed in 9 states. It is exciting and yet very tense. If you haven't yet, quit reading and go vote! I'm not going to write much now as I'm en route to a poll watching party, but give us something to watch!