Though the study of politics is in essence my profession, I rarely vote and think that democracy is the best of the worse (as evidenced by Americans twice electing a 'guy they'd rather have a beer with' over an 'elitist'). As a kid, and now as a self-admitted obtuse adult, I've always despised authority and firmly believe that humanity benefits when government is as far removed from our lives as possible. That being said, during the presidential primary earlier this year, I was quietly pulling for Barack Obama to squash Hillary Clinton in her bid to carry the Clinton dynasty back to the White House. It wasn't that I was moved by what he was saying, nor was I disillusioned that Obama represents some sort of "change," (save for the color of his skin and his experiences as a community organizer). From the get-go, I was aware that Obama is more similar to his colleagues in the Senate than different: Another millionaire lawyer with Executive ambitions. It was watching Hillary squirm and Bill teeter on rage that threw my cynical support towards Obama. Concurrently, for most of the general election I have smiled a little bit on the inside to see Obama contend so well with the veteran "Maverick," John McCain. In fact, I was starting to accept the idea that my state's own Joe Biden (an idiot bar none, i.e. his "plan" to annex Iraq into three states) is probably going to become the next VP. However, as we creep closer to November 4th, my secret Obama crush is waning as I have been sobered up by a very unlikely turn of events in what is the most bizarre election of my life.
It's hard to admit this, but yours truly has succumb to the Joe-the-Plumber fear mongering that the McCain campaign has recently deployed. How I fell victim to this blatant politiking is beyond me, and I assure you I am quite ashamed. Nevertheless, hearing Obama talk very directly about how his tax plan aims to redistribute wealth by taking from the upper middle class and giving it to lower income individuals smacks of socialism in a way that is qualitatively different than the progressive and liberal tax plans democrats have proposed in the past. This revelation has hit me so hard that I'm beginning to abandon my secret Obama crush, as McCain is starting to look better than before. Though he voted with W "90%," which if accurate is unforgiving, he certainly has displayed a serious independent streak throughout his career. I mean, any republican that risks loosing the ultimate office in the land by calling Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "extremists" deserves kudos, even from democrats.
So here I am. Certainly not committed enough to McCain to go out among the masses and campaign for him (and definitely will not vote for him). Besides, I live in a safe democrat state, so it really doesn't matter who I vote for (not that I'm planning to vote this year. If I were, it would be libertarian; though I just can't stomach Bob Barr). I am, however, ready to challenge all of the Obama supporters that swim around me in the Academy. Up to this point, I was content to just watch the circus pass by...
