Opening a Can of Worms

This year Seth has really gotten into politics. Because of this, I have been exposed to and learned much more about this topic than I ever have. Together we've watched all but one of the Republican debates and we watch Meet the Press every Sunday. I must be getting old because it's not nearly as intolerable as it used to be.

Now, I'm not the most dedicated person ever when it comes to voting, but I try to at least participate in major elections. I don't like to peg myself as being part of one party or another and have registered as an Independent. I tend to follow a moderate Democratic way of thinking, but I think it's good to keep your options open and look at both sides to see who better fits your ideals and ways of thinking. I don't think it's possible to side with just one party on every single issue and each party's stance seems to evolve over the years.

In 2008 I proudly voted for Obama. I liked what he stood for and I liked his charisma and I just plain liked him. He was an intelligent speaker,  genuine, and down to Earth without being simple-minded. Those things count for a lot in my book. I think Obama has done a pretty good job over the last several years. I believe he's tried to keep his promises and done his best with the crappy situation he inherited. I don't know that I agree with everything he's done, but I think he's used the best resources and people available to make well informed decisions. It's hard to predict the outcome of every plan all the time so it's reasonable to think that any leader will have some failures. I don't think Obama is the anti-Christ or a diabolical genius with secret plans to bring down the United States. That's just craziness. And ignorant comments made to encourage these opinions make my blood boil (where's the 'loathe' button on Facebook?). I think most of the presidents we've had really do what they can to succeed, Republican or Democrat, although some are definitely not as intelligent as others *cough* Bush *cough.*

Which brings me to the current election. I've tried going into this election season with an open mind. Yes I still really like Obama. I can't help it. He's a smart, decent guy. I've listened to all the candidates and my opinions of them have evolved over the last few months.

I was sad to see Jon Huntsman's short-lived, lack-luster candidacy and hope that he has plans to return in 2016. I really liked him as Utah governor. Yes he was Mormon, but he was also reasonable and didn't try to force his religious beliefs on the entire community. Sure he was a little awkward in the debates, but he held up pretty well. Would I have voted for him this time around? I'm not sure. He didn't get far enough to show me what he was about and whether he'd be better than Obama.

Up until recently I didn't mind Rick Santorum. I was giving him a slight chance of success. He seemed intelligent and genuine. But, he went and ruined his chances by being a right-wing religious nut-job. When you start to impose your specific hard-core religious beliefs and act like it's different than the other side pushing their agenda, we're going to have problems. I don't handle hypocrisy well. Why is it so hard to give people the freedom to choose whether they want to adhere to the rules of their religion? We're adults. We don't need government rules to make sure our religious morality stays in tact.

Then we have Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul. Quite frankly I just don't like Gingrich. The fact that a lot of the people who have worked with him over the years don't back him gives me good reason to think I wouldn't like him either. Plus his wife looks like a fembot. Creepy. Next we have Ron Paul. What a cute little old man. Makes me want to give him a hug, sit him down in the kitchen with a piece of pie, and listen to his crazy stories. I really think that he's got some great ideas and theories. The Libertarian party has really good insights to some of our crappiest problems. Problem is, Ron Paul is just a little too crazy. I'm not completely ruling him out though. I think our government system of checks and balances would keep him from doing anything too insane. And to be honest I'd be kind of curious to see what he could do. Do I think he has any chance of actually becoming president? Hell no. But I'm not against throwing my vote away on him if I don't like any of the other options. That way I could complain about whoever won!

Finally we come to Mitt Romney. Yes, I know he saved the 2002 Winter Olympics. Yes, he's very successful and smart. Yes, I think he'd probably do an ok job as president. I don't care that he's Mormon... that doesn't affect my opinion of him either way. In fact I don't think religious beliefs should ever factor into the presidential elections unless like Santorum, they're trying to force their beliefs on the entire country. You keep your beliefs to yourself and you can believe in the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care. Thing is, I don't think I could stomach voting for him. I just can't. To me Romney comes off as a slimy douche bag and I don't like him. I don't trust him. I don't think I could listen to his patronizing tone for 4+ years. His only saving grace (maybe) would be to have a killer running mate. But I just don't see that happening.

With all that said, I'm about 95% sure I'm voting for Obama again unless something amazing happens during the final debates to change my mind. I want to see him let loose and aggressively go after the things he really wants to do in a second term where he doesn't have to worry about re-election. Plus it would make a lot of people mad. HA! So? What do you think? Have you been following all this stuff? Which candidate do you like? Do you think I'm insane? Don't be shy... let it loose!