A Little Pre-Election Story...

As you snuggle up in your beds to prepare for long lines at polling places, I would like to tell you a little story. Grab a blanket and lend me an ear...

Once upon a time, there was a country going thru an unfortunate depression. The value of currency had plummeted and people across the country lost jobs and homes. Then someone came along, preaching for "Change," to better the country and the people. He said that the depression was caused by the policies of previous leaders and by those involved in the financial industry, elitist rich people that were the root cause of all the problems facing the people. The people listened, and although he did not get a majority vote, he was elected to lead. The parties in the legislature united behind him in a sign of solidarity, believing he could bring the "Change" he preached. Schools were filled with young people calling for the "Change" that the leader promised and songs were written to show support. Health care became nationalized. Banks and businesses were shut down or taken over, and the money earned by the "elites" was spread around to supporters of the leader.

It starts off promising, but the story takes a turn when you realize it's about Adolf Hitler.

While others may not share my concern, and while Hitler was far worse than Barack will ever be, the stories do sound a lot alike in their beginnings. As a member of the middle-class, I worry that this "Change," like most of the policies in the last 32 years, will really have no assistance for me. I am not coming out and calling Obama a socialist, yet, but I do have concerns that some people, blinded by change and motivational speaking, are not voting for their candidate because of qualifications, but more because of certain unpopular decisions in recent years.

People blame Bush for a lot, and while some things were errors on his part, all presidents make mistakes and even when they do what is best for the country, they still become unpopular. George Washington, elected twice unamimously, was hated by a great section of the country for awhile because he made a treaty with Great Britain during his tenure. Knowing good and well that the people would detest the decision, Washington knew that the American troops would not be able to withstand another war at the time and decided to make a move which was best for the future. Was invading Iraq a bad idea? Maybe. We won't know that for awhile, unpopular as it may be to some. Has the economy taken a downward turn? Yep, it sure has, but no intelligent person can blame one man for that, even though that's the way it always goes. I could blame Clinton, but I won't. He had a hand in it, but it wasn't like he came up with the outstanding idea to allow under-qualified people to get oversized loans on his own.

If you're going to vote, please think about what is best for you...and what is best for your family...and what is best for your country. Good luck, and may the best man win.