OK.

I have been thinking about this post for a long time.  I feel that at this point in the election process it is time for me to speak. 

I am a registered Democrat.  I believe in the processes that we have in place to elect our executive officials.  I do not believe that it is perfect.  There is no perfect process. 

One of the better forms of government is a parliamentary form of government, not our democratic republic.  As my friend Karen, so astutely, points out, we live in a republic, meaning that we elect officials to be our voice in the government.  In a true democracy we would all vote on bills, and legislation that would effect the laws and statutes of our country.  While this is ideal for the greater good, it is not plausible for a country with over 300 million citizens.  This system worked well in the Greek City-States of 2000+ years ago because of the small population, and because the concerns of the people were not as far reaching as ours in this day of global interaction.

I have supported the Democratic Party candidate for president since I was able to vote.  They have always aligned with my beliefs and concerns as a citizen.  This is the year when only two are in line with my beliefs and concerns.  The sad part about this is that  only one is left in the Democratic Primary.  John Edwards was my man.  He has very similiar ideals and matches well with what I see as the future for this country.  Barack Obama is the other.  His vision of hope and change is what we need at this time. 

Many within in the party, and even more from outside the party, have stated that Obama and Edwards did not have the experience to be the Commander in Chief.  They choose this title carefully  because of there lack of experience with military concerns.  And, while I appreciate their concerns, these candidates will have the opportunity to surround themselves with people of great experience and knowledge.  The President of the United States does not have to be an expert on everything, as our current president can attest to, they need to have the ability to seek out those who have the expertise and  then utilize that skill set to make the best decision.  I see Barack Obama as a person who has the substance and confidence to make the right choices, and to listen to those he surrounds himself with. 

Hillary Clinton has stated time and time again that she has the experience and can make the tough decisions because of that experience.  This leads me to think that she believes she can make the tough decisions with little input.  As a manager and leader of people I can tell you that making “tough” effectively can not be done alone, you need the input, and more importantly the buy-in, of those who have to implement and execute the decisions that are made. 

Hillary ISthe same-old-same-old.  She has about four more years experience than Obama in the U.S. Senate, and less experience as a law maker, given Obama’s experience in the Illinois State Legislature.  She is banking on her name, and her interactions with her husband as her “experience”.  This is bad.  This is how GWB got into office, not the husband part, but GHWB will suffice.  Do we really need that again?

I know that there are few choices for the executive leader for our country.  We have boxed ourselves into this two party system, something George Washington warned us against over 200 years ago, and it has led us to this point, again. 

On a side note, I can remember when Geraldine Ferraro ran as a Vice-Presidential candidate with Walter Mondale.  This was the first presidential election that I remember.  I also remember asking my dad, “We’ve never had a woman president?”  That was a revelation to a 9 year old kid.  We have the opportunity to write history.  We also have an opportunity to right history.

We have choices, as narrow as those choices may be, we do have a choice.  In fact, we have two choices, vote for one candidate for president, or to not vote at all.  The latter is not a choice for me, and I hope that it is not a choice for you.

Thanks for listening;)