Up All Night

I am so tired, I can barely see straight. I was up half the night. Not dealing with kids as one might expect. Nope, I was up watching politics. The Republican National Convention, to be exact. Can you think of a more boring, loser-ish way to spend an evening? That's what I used to think too. Before I got old. Now, laying in my bed with my favorite comforter, watching history in the making on TV is my idea of a good time.
Last night was a good time. Sarah Palin, the VP candidate running with John McCain spoke for the first time. She was amazing. Even the ultra-liberal media agreed. Now, I realize that her speech was written for her and she has yet to prove herself in a debate or off-the-cuff press questioning situation, but wow. She was awesome.
I have had trouble with this year's election for several reasons. First of all, I'm not ultra-conservative in my life. I know abortion and homosexuality are sins in God's eyes, but I really don't know that I think the government should be involved in making those choices for people. I know that it doesn't affect or hurt me in any way if someone chooses to be gay or if gay marriage becomes legal. I know I don't think it's fair if someone does decide to be gay but their partner is not allowed in a hospital room with them because they aren't "family." I also know that I don't want to force a woman to have a baby if she desperately doesn't want it. I think we've all seen the results of unwanted pregnancies. In fact, in the book, Freakonomics, they go so far as to suggest that the decline in crime in the 90's had nothing to do with law enforcement, but actually as an indirect result of the Roe v. Wade decision in the 70's. Meaning that, since abortion was made legal in the 70's, there weren't a bunch of unwanted children who would be of crime-committing age in the 90's. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not, but I found it interesting.
Anyway, I'm not trying to start a debate here. I'm just saying that I don't feel like a right-wing conservative. However, I do normally vote Republican. And yeah, that means I voted for W. And I'm not embarrassed about that. I know he's made tons of mistakes and has a low approval rating, but I'm also smart enough to know that most of his decisions were not made exclusively by him. I'm also informed enough to know that this Democratic Congress has an even lower approval rating than Bush. The lowest in Congressional history, in fact. So it ain't just W making mistakes up there.
I normally feel comfortable voting Republican because, even though I live a fairly non-conservative life, I don't want to live in a non-conservative country. I'm not a fan of the socialist movement. I don't think it's realistic and I don't think it works. I think it sounds good to the very rich because it makes them feel less guilty for being rich. And I think it sounds good to the very poor because let's face it...they just don't want to be poor anymore. And I don't blame them. But I would like to be able to help them of my own volition rather than the government taking more of my money so that they can decide who gets it and who doesn't. And I damn sure don't want the government in charge of my health care.
Saying that, I felt torn this year. Obama was the first Democratic candidate who hasn't made me want to vomit. I actually thought "Hey, this guy is the one who will bring everyone together." I hate party rhetoric. I hate it. I hate that some people will stick by a person based on their party affiliation rather than their beliefs. And I refuse to be that ignorant. I want to learn about someone and vote based on what they believe rather than what letter comes after their name. So I've been paying attention.
I've been nervous about McCain. People make fun of him a lot for being old. But here's why I like him: The Republican base (ultra conservatives) don't like him much. They think he's too liberal. Well, I'm too liberal for that base. And I'm glad he's not a staunch, stuffy old conservative. I think he's just right for my taste. Conservative and Republican on important issues like the economy, energy and terrorism. But not overly conservative on the issues of gay marriage and abortion. That's my style.
But until last night, I was still torn about who would be best. And then Palin came out. Dang, that girl is awesome. She is so small town, down-to-earth and funny. I love her! I am so excited to vote Republican this year...finally, it's not so much about voting AGAINST one ticket as it is voting FOR another.
Whoever you are voting for, you can't say this election has been boring. It's not "business as usual" on the political front and it makes it fun. Ok, maybe not fun like dancing on tables or partying until 3 a.m., but for a 36-year-old suburban mother of three, it's all I can handle these days!