I try to make important decisions thoughtfully, with intentionality, but once I come to a decision, I try not to stress over it. The stress impedes whatever action I may take based on that decision, and is no use to me. As I get older it's esier to let the stress go, because although I believe I can make a difference in the world, I also know that I am just one small person in a sea of equally-worthy decision-makers. So yeah, voting is important, but it's probably not where I will have an opportunity to make the biggest or longest-acting impact in things going on arond me. That happens closer to home.

But about voting. If I had any doubts before, I lost them when I saw that the whole media message of Bush's campaign is about fear-mongering-- that it just isn't safe to vote for anyone else. It intensified as they went into the convention. I think he actually believes this-- brainwashed by his handlers-- and even if he were right, I still would not want somone keeping me safe with their attention fixed on fear. The more he sincerely believes it, the less I want him in the Oval Office.

If there is real danger, I'd rather have someone thinking more clearly than people can when they're gripped by fear. I don't mean that I want false assurances, or for a leader to blow smoke up my ass. But I do not want someone preoccupied by fear in charge of.... anything that has to do with me.   

I don't put much stock in party platforms or candidate positions, except as they illustrate a general mindset and worldview. Platforms are merely temporary negotiations for votes. Whatever else a candidate may say they stand for, our political process and media intrusions will rub off the rough edges, and very few of the winners' stated agendas survive the first year in office, intact.

I don't put much stock in what they say they believe in, either, even if they seem to live their beliefs, because the first thing winners seem to do is sell out those very same beliefs-- once they find out how it really is to deal with our system of government.

So that leaves Kerry. I don't mind the reputation for changing his mind. I like people who are able to do that when there's good reason. If he gets the top job, his handlers will put pressure on him to see to it that he doesn't change it very often, anyhow, cuz they'll go nuts trying to wrangle political agreements if he does it too much.


I don't care if anyone attacks me for my post. It's my vote, and my circle of advisors doesn't include Mudcatters on such matters. I'm comfortable with my position and I don't expect to look back in, to see if someone has started a fight with me over it.

~Susan