A New Day. And, a Bit of a Rant.

Oh Lordy.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you are aware that I don't tend to inject my opinion about things very often, mostly because I prefer to keep things light. However, I'm a little testy this morning. Over the last 24-48 hours I've seen, heard, and read so many things that have frankly been a little depressing and disappointing. I'll do my best to present my thoughts in an organized fashion, but I can't make any promises.

I voted for Barack Obama. I'd like to think I made a very informed decision. My husband and I had many, many lengthy conversations about the election. We went back and forth. We watched. We read. We considered. In the end, we each, individually, made up our minds. It wasn't easy. We both agreed that for the first time since either of us could legally vote, we were presented with two superb candidates, each with outstanding qualities and ideas. How refreshing it was to choose from two such candidates, rather than basing our choice on who we disliked a little less than the other, as we feel we've had to do in the past.

While I appreciate how passionate we can each get about our candidates, how tiring it is to hear people implying that others (who didn't vote as they did) are somehow ill-informed. I'd like to think we all vote based on what we believe to be the best choice for each of us. That's democracy. That is why we live in the United States of America, people.

Yesterday morning, I was preparing to teach Story Time at the library, as I do each Tuesday morning. A mother asked me if I'd voted. I replied that I had. She then asked me if I was a Democrat or Republican (I'll remind you that I live in the very Republican state of Idaho). My first thought was, "none of your business!" but instead I replied honestly, "Neither...I'm registered as an Independent." She looked at me like I had two heads! When I voted yesterday, I voted for democrats and republicans. Again, I'd like to think I made informed decisions.

Another thing: I'm sick of hearing that Sarah Palin is evil, crazy, etc., etc., etc. She's the Governor of Alaska, and you aren't. She must have some redeeming qualities to have accomplished what she's accomplished. I'm pretty sure if she knew all kinds of details about your life, she'd find things she didn't like about you, either. I realize there is a difference, since she was running for vice president, and we weren't, but still. I think it is sad that so much focus was taken away from Senator McCain, because so many people were busy jumping on the bandwagon, bashing her. Sad.

Lastly, I have to address the whole argument that Barack Obama doesn't care about our troops. Believe me, this isn't a topic we take lightly in our household. Steve spent a year and a half of his life away from us, in Iraq, and will most likely be deployed again. He voted for Obama, and will happily discuss his personal experience and thoughts with anyone (email me if you need our phone number).

Please don't think for a moment that this is a post about how "I voted for Obama, and if you didn't, you're stupid. " Please give me more credit than that. Mostly, this is a little rant about the sad state that our country is in, in so many different ways. My opinion. I respect and welcome yours as well.

I am hopeful this morning that change is indeed coming.

Now, back to baking, crafting, and child-rearing!