Final Day

Briefest of notes on this last day before the vote is counted & the results are known. Will America choose (or rather, will the electoral college choose on the basis of each state's popular vote) to continue the status quo - or opt out into unknown waters?

My vote, to be sure, goes with the status quo, but not happily. I suspect, in any case, the status quo is long gone: John McCain does not read as the type who would continue that status; this campaign has shown too clearly the depths of ire and even - if I may - rebellion in the American public.

Had enough.

We want change.

And that against the backdrop - back & front - of the economic collapse...two associates stood at my desk last week (the woman for whom I am fictional play is a receptionist/administrative assistant in the day hours), one of whom is a very successful small businesswoman...

And she was saying how poorly she is doing (construction business) and that she has friends who invite her over for supper.

Well, wee bird said nothing.

But back to change. Question becomes, what sort of change. On this day of resolution, the few thoughts, proffered at random...an old friend has often mentioned that having a President from one party with a Congress holding a majority in the other is a good balance. While that is my hope - I have a difficult time, here in Georgia, with two candidates in particular, and quite frankly want a place on the ballot that proffers "Neither" as a choice and demands new candidates.

Just kidding.

Actually, I'm not. Seems write-in candidates are a notion I hear of here & there; never think of it at the polling place (that magical small box inside the curtain: just me, my conscience, and the future of America...and always, too much & candidates I've never heard of, not having done enough of my homework before voting.)

So whether it is a joke or real, I couldn't really say. What I can say, however, is that unprepared voters were not the idea when America was formed.

But we won't go there.

If a space is actually on the ballot for such, I can assure you neither Saxby Chambliss (a man my grandparents knew & greatly admired) or Jim Martin will get my vote: they may not get it anyway; I may just skip over them, seething. I like the idea of voting to protect that inequality between the two parties - they both, if I may, stink - but it is difficult to vote Democrat at all when they keep dividing things into "Bush Economics" or "Obama..."

If even half of what each in the Chambliss/Martin wars charges the other with doing is true, neither should be able to hold office. Sitting here watching the commercials lined up to Chambliss, Martin then Martin, Chambliss then Chambliss Martin Chambliss Martin ChamblissMartin ChamblissMartin ChamblissMartinChamblissMartin until it was as if they were one commercial, played out over & over & over again and it didn't matter what channel you flipped to (I am exaggerating), the same streak was on...

Somebody in traffic at those TV stations had a little bit of devil in their sense of humor on the matter...

I hear other states have hot campaigns as well.

But back to the Presidential choices. I really do not think McCain will continue Bush Economics.

Or Reagan's little trickle, either.

People are too angry. I suspect that, if McCain gets in, the status quo will indeed be altered, and greatly. Perhaps not so 'greatly' as Obama promises, but as Thomas Sowell's recent column suggests, Obama is a visionary - young, inexperienced, untried.

And so many out there have said so much about Obama that should be of enormous concern: he has indeed changed his story (why say lie?) about certain things along the way - wee bird, here, and at this late stage all I proffer is last day ruminations.

If you didn't do your research along the way...

Too late for it now. Or, as I used to teach my wee birds (a birdism): when I want to know who I am, I ask my enemies...

Because, to be sure, a campaign is going to do what it can to protect its star - if you only read the man's defense of his act, what possibility do you have of a balanced view of him?

I never can quite sit at the table with those who think, umm, sitting at the table & discussing the matter will end war(s). The best & only appropriate defense remains that big stick. Unfortunate, but true. Chatter however you choose about peace & other goodly things. But remember that protecting this nation against those who do not hold your lovely ideals is the first necessity.

But I used to listen to people with similar notions at Agnes Scott. Just war is an excellent concept. If you don't like war, don't initiate it.

But never forget the rest of the world out there may indeed enjoy such initiation. Or, as a great man said long ago, speak softly as you choose, but don't forget that big stick.

Other thoughts. I am a one-issue voter. If I know a candidate's position on abortion, that is the determining factor in whether or no they get my vote. I have read a great deal from conservatives opposed to Obama - much of it veers over into rabidity; into party politics; into us vs. them...but the issues as Obama has laid them out are plain.

It is frightening to watch how Obama captivates those who cheer him on. He becomes like a messiah. Yeah, I know. Not too many messiahs out there: not too many people left in this sad, old world to believe in.

Those of us who know better than believing in a man, perhaps, have it easier.

The degree to which many Americans don't know the basic structure of their government appalls. Reminds me, in point of fact, of the degree to which many Christians don't know their Scripture. If you don't know the frame in which you move, anyone can take you wherever they want you to go.

Socialism as a reality does not frighten me quite so much as it does many here. My German professor taught us how things are done in Germany; they are a socialist democracy, as much of Europe is. I think that the current excess has certainly shown limitations in how - err, excess is handled are in order: that is not a matter of limiting how much the average middle class can earn but rather, restructuring how the very wealthy are taxed.

I don't have a problem with that. Lot of people quote this & that on the matter, but watching how things have played out lately nauseates, even now. Take that government bail-out and hold part of it for bonuses to those players who got us into this mess?

Not on my watch.

But you didn't know this was my watch, did you.

It is. And I am watching, as you should be, eyes wide open...

Well, time to get ready for my day & go see what the lines look like. Starbucks has promised a free cup of coffee to voters - if only I can get it before I get in line...it is a prize greatly longed for, being that coffee has become too expensive for this wee bird to buy....