I believe … it may be time to announce my presidential endorsement (Part III)

Okay, okay, okay…I freaking get the point. Leave me alone! I will end this dreadful presidential series right here and right now. I have to be honest, I was planning on having this and one more part…but the resounding sentiment on my facebook page and more importantly from my life-partner = END IT! So I shall.

But first: a caveat. One of the issues I will touch on briefly in this blog is the two-party system and its pros and cons. I could (and probably will at a future time) spend entire blogs on this issue, but as it is at the heart of the my following presidential endorsement, I need to at least approach it here. It is somewhat scary for me to write these words because my career, at least in part, is inextricably tied to politics.

The nature of the two-party system is “you’re with us or you’re against us.” This can be a good thing as regardless of “D” or “R” you can always count on work. But what if you’re in the middle? It can be the proverbial “no soup for you.” As a result, I hope that this diarrhea diatribe can be viewed as an internal enlightening and not as professional suicide.

We shall see.

Yesterday, I delineated my concerns about Senator Obama, as well as extolled the virtues that I do see in his candidacy. But as you could probably tell, I will not vote for him.

I am not going to spend as much time here on Senator McCain. I think after his years in office, his 320 months of campaigning and 790 “Joe the Plumber” references we all pretty much know who he is and what he stands for.

He is a hawk. How could a former POW and military hero not be? But he is at least a thoughtful one who made what turned out to be the wrong decision based on intelligence that he trusted. But the surge has worked and that has proven he is at the very least a competent military strategist. In addition, I am willing to state that there hasn’t been ANYONE who has more carefully scrutinized military spending and scaled-back its “runamokness.” (Feel free to use that word…just please give credit where credit is due).

Fiscally, I am much more in his corner than Obama’s. He understands the reality of the rural economy far better, he understands the principals of a free market and I truly believe will be far more fiscally responsible. I hate to break it to everyone, but regardless of who becomes president, our taxes are going up. It’s an economic reality. But I believe McCain will put those taxes to better use and eliminate the taxes on the segment of the economy that can LEAST afford those increases…small business.

BUT. I do believe he is inextricably linked to George Bush. Not because of those ridiculous voting records (90% of the time…give me a break)…but as we all know, in politics, perception is reality. He is an old, white man. He is a Republican. He is an old, white man. He sneers like Dick Cheney. This country needs healed from the last eight years (although I would argue it’s really the last five years or so). Psycho-somatic healing is a fact at the individual level and I believe it is a factor at the national level as well.

[Finally] I come to crux of my argument and the reason I have bored you all senseless for these many days. While McCain is a true “maverick,” (*shudder*) make no mistake, he is NOT the McCain of the late 90s and early “oughts.” He is not a renegade and an independent thinker. He is the Republican Party’s nominee for President. And as such, he has become “Robo-Republican.” And when he wasn’t Republican enough, his campaign found the furthest right, antithesis to John McCain. A gun-toting, anti-abortion, attractive, youngish FEMALE.

[NOTE: I didn’t spend any time on Joe Biden so don’t expect me to spend any time on Palin here. Face it. Vice-Presidents have and always will be window-dressing. Lipstick on a Pig. Whatever. If a President ever dies in office, the “presidency” is already in place along with advisors and departments. The Vice-President is nothing more than an executor of a will and babysitting the country until the next election.]

So to re-cap. We have the most liberal member of the Senate. A Republican candidate who, when not republican enough, was pumped up by an uber-Republican running mate. Really? That’s what we have?

But you know what’s worse? Pundits are screaming that this is a win for independent Americans. Really? Is it? Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post always talks about this “new center” … these new independents. But you know what’s funny? When she describes them, these new independents sure sound a lot like Democrats.

I have news for the political parties, pundits, the candidates and even Joe the the average American: independent thinking is okay. Yes, Virginia, there are independents out there. How did we get here? How did we get to a point where the most choice-driven country in the world is content with two “real” candidates for president? We want a pizza buffet with 1,032 types of pizza. Taco Bell has a dart board that it uses to develop “new” chalupas and churritos and burlupas because drunk people need variety. Directv has like 900 channels. Who can watch network TV? There’s only 3.5 of them. But two parties and two presidents are acceptable and even preferable.

I won’t get into why. As I said, that’s a massive blog and this is already long enough. But guess what? After listening to this year’s candidates, after reading their position statements, after attending candidate forums and hearing people I’ve known for years ditch their thoughts and stances for those of the “party” … I have finally decided to assert my independence. My independent- ness.

I will not vote for either party’s candidate for President. They just don’t represent me. And I truly don’t believe they represent the majority of Americans. But the only way that will ever change is if we speak with our votes. Independent or minor party candidates need to stop being looked at as jokes or as threats to the two major parties. They are legitimate choices (whether they’re legitimate people is another story…but that’s part of the problem). Theirs are legitimate views. Mine are legitimate views. Yours are too. Express them. Don’t suppress them.

Monday, I will say a little bit more about fundamentally who I am and which candidate I truly feel represents me and my beliefs. But I promised I would announce which of the two major party candidates I would endorse. And I have. Neither. Because they don’t represent me. And I have a pretty good feeling that they don’t represent you either.

I believe … it may be time to announce my presidential endorsement (Part II)

I am such a typical Columbus resident. I equate everything to football…and I’m going to do it again.

There is a truism in football circles that the most popular player on any football team is the back-up quarterback. He often has done SOMETHING in his past to make him look like an attractive option. But people haven’t seen enough of him to know for sure. All they CAN see is the track record of the QB on the field. And even successful QBs miss on 40% of their throws.

This phenomenon is compounded when there are non-football related reasons to like the back-up. Maybe he’s aesthetically pleasing (see Jesse Palmer). Maybe he was good at one time and he brings memories of successes gone by (see Doug Flutie). Or maybe he’s a good interview and people like the way he says all the right things.

Do you see where I’m going?

Should it really be a surprise that Barack Obama has garnered the support that he has in this election? I think any “fresh face” the Democratic party threw out there could have been a dynamo. These are the worst times that anyone can remember. Economically, militarily, socially…this country is a disaster. And even someone who voted two times for George Bush can readily admit that. Who would want something similar?

Take this desire for change (ugh…I am trying so hard to remove that word from my vocabulary) and throw in Obama’s well-dressed image, gifted oration and the mystique around America’s first minority candidate and he is a veritable juggernaut. 100,000 people at a rally? Really? For a guy who has barely thrown any metaphoric passes? My favorite game is to ask an ardent Obama supporter to give a reason for supporting him and NOT use the word change. Try it. It’s a hilarious spectator sport. I have had several attempts that were YouTube worthy.

I’ll admit. The guy can speak. Change is necessary and critical. But this fervent, unabashed and almost cult-like following is ridiculous. He is without question one of the most liberal members of Congress. This country has proven time and time again that while it accepts right-leaning presidents periodically, it shudders and cowers every time a true “blue-blood” stands and asks for their presidential support. And make no mistake. Obama is not a moderate. He is as liberal as they come. And I for one am scared at the thought of an Obama, Reid and Pelosi “axis of liberalism.”

I know that it has been ridden hard by the McCain campaign the last few days, but I picked up on Obama’s relentless pushing for re-distribution of wealth during a speech in Germany months ago. In that case, it was re-distributing America’s wealth to other countries. I am far from an isolationist. I think that we should make it a priority to give a helping hand to other countries and to police heinous civil rights violations made against peoples unable to defend themselves. But that is FAR from giving of our (typical…not current) financial status to artificially prop up foreign countries. That is WAY too close to global socialism for me.

On an important issue to me…agricultural issues…I don’t think Obama even begins to understand the needs of rural America. He talks of marketing initiatives and eliminating methamphetamine usage. Really? Those are the biggest issues facing rural America? He talks of reigning in large corporate agri-business and making things more difficult for them. He talks of this like it’s a GOOD thing. I hate to break it to him, but even many “family farms” are large enough these days to be considered a corporate farm. Consolidation is necessary to be successful in agriculture. He just doesn’t get it and I truly believe he will be VERY detrimental to rural areas and agriculture as a whole.

Finally, I firmly believe that Obama’s affiliations with people like Rev. Wright, William Ayers and slumlord incarnate Rezko ARE an issue in this campaign. I firmly believe that the President’s most important quality is his track record of judgment. Say what you will about Bush, but he had a track record of being a very successful governor of a large state. A governor’s responsibility is more akin to that of a President’s than a congressman’s. Unfortunately, that judgment seemed to disappear. In my opinion, Bush’s lasting legacy of ineptness and failure should not be tied to his decisions on Iraq or his decisions on the economy, but his decisions on his cabinet.

Let’s pull back the curtain for a minute. Do you think that while running the free world, POTUS has the time to micro-manage policies and the inner-workings of every department? The ultimate success or failure of ANY administration comes down to the appointments the President makes and the people he surrounds himself with. What does Obama’s track record say about his judgment in who he is going to surround himself with? FACT: His main financial advisor was the CEO of Fannie Mae.

Now that I have torn the man down, let me give a few reasons that despite all of the above, I have given strong consideration to voting for him.

I do believe that his health care plan is far superior to anything McCain or the current administration has put forth. It is not a socialist concept. It retains private insurance, but expands access and builds on the programs already in place.

I believe he would be an excellent foreign ambassador and would dramatically improve the USA’s standing with its global partners. I am not yet convinced he has a good grasp on foreign policy and the difference between commander-in-chief and Monday-Morning quarterback-in-chief (there I go again with the football) but as previously stated, that will depend more on his appointments than his current institutional knowledge.

I am thinking of voting for the man just for the simple fact that he has energized the electorate in a way that I have never seen. Even if I believe it was George Bush that gave him his initial popularity. They are projecting 81% voter turn-out here in my state of Ohio. We can’t get 81% of our state to agree on whether Toledo is a part of Ohio or Michigan. I cannot be a hypocrite and only say that political involvement is only good when it agrees with me.

Ultimately, though, will I vote for Obama? I just can’t. There are too many issues on which I don’t feel he represents me and that my personal best interests are reflected in his policy.

So does this by default indicate that I am voting for McCain? Not necessarily. I think I’ll string this out one more day and share my thoughts on Team Maverick tomorrow.

I believe … it may be time to announce my presidential endorsement (Part I)

First of all, I apologize for taking a few days off and though most likely, nobody noticed, please pretend that you did.  I was traveling with family and unable to put together a coherent thought, let alone try to string together multiple.

But I’m back.  And full of thoughts derived from hours in a car trying to drown out Dora the Explorer and my lovely wife’s constant, “Sorry to interrupt that game/podcast/song, but did you know [insert mundane comment picked from an over-priced magazine that was purchased as a bribe for a few miles of silence].”  Talk about your all-time backfires.

But in between all the trials and tribulations of a father on the road, I did have some time to think.  And perhaps the predominant thought was the future of our country, of my state and my county.  I’m not sure if you have heard, but a week from now, there is going to be an election.  I know, it’s a surprise.  I haven’t seen any TV ads, yard signs or received robo-campaign calls either.  But trust me.  You can look it up.

Given my professional involvement, at least tangentially, in the political arena and my inability to avoid political conversations (electronic or otherwise), I frequently receive questions about my own political beliefs and affiliations.  And lately, most have been something like this: “You can’t possibly vote for McCain, can you?”

I have decided to finally, publicly, answer this question.  I know to many of you, it was a foregone conclusion that I would pull the proverbial lever for “my friend” McCain (a reference to his phrase of choice lately, not any personal relationship).  This includes my wife.  During this latest trip, we were asked who we were voting for and she proudly answered for both of us.  To paraphrase Lee Corso on ESPN’s College Gameday, “Not so Fast.”

The horror on her face could not possibly be re-enacted.  It was as if I told her that her butt DID look fat in those jeans and oh, by the way, the skinny jeans she was going to replace them with were unavailable in her size.  But only 10x worse.

In an attempt to prevent her from taking my children away from me as a result of my political adultery, I tried to explain myself.  In a previous blog, which you undoubtedly ALSO didn’t read, I asked that everyone PLEASE investigate the candidates (all the way down to dog catcher).  I asked that each individual find the candidate’s stances on issues important to said individual and vote accordingly.  I was merely stating my intent to practice what I preached.

Now, understand that I listen to political podcasts, read political blogs, I have attended candidate forums and know some of the candidates I will be voting for personally.  So it’s not like I am completely unfamiliar with stances on the issues.  But I felt that there were still a few issues I hadn’t fully explored.  There were a few associations I hadn’t yet checked out when it came to their stance on each candidate.  This is something I highly recommend everyone do.  Whatever your hot-button issue, I assure you there is an association for it and they undoubtedly have a listing of candidates who take “your” stance on that issue.

So I preceded to check the National Federation of Independent Business web site, the Ohio Farm Bureau web site, the Poker Player’s Alliance site, the Mary Carey for Governor page (Not Safe for Work or small children that are too old to breast feed) and others.  I went back and reviewed some episodes of my favorite political podcast (KCRW’s Left, Right and Center) and reviewed the candidate’s own web pages for their stances on issues critical to me.

As I flipped through each web site, as I read each position statement, as I mentally reviewed comments made by certain candidates…a series of thoughts that had previously only been amorphous and nagging became crystalline.  I tried to debate myself and talk myself out of these thoughts.  I tried to think of implications both professional and personal.  But, if I were going to be true to myself and express my beliefs for all the world to read, I had to try to communicate my stance and put words to paper explaining my ultimate determination.

And tomorrow, I will do just that.

I believe … the battle over NyQuil is critical

As alluded to in this space, I was not well this past weekend.  It was an odd malady…my body ached, I would alternate betweeen hot and cold sweats and just generally felt like I was withdrawing from something.  But as indicated in my previous post, my most crititical issue was sleep.  I could barely stay awake and just needed an inordinate amount of shut-eye.

But as all parents know, children do not hibernate until parents are feeling well.  They do not quietly pen a novel or do lawnwork so daddy can take a nap.  If anything, they take the parental lethargy as license to destroy and will do so at ALL hours of the night and morning.

While all spouses certainly mean well and will do everything up to their level of toleration to ensure a restful environment for the ill partner, there is undoubtedly a limit.  And what does that limit look like when the unthinkable happens and both parents are sick at the same time?  This, my friends, can be the true test of a relationship.  Finances be damned.

And how does this spousal stand-off manifest itself?  The battle over NyQuil.  The magic “Mother’s Milk” of medicine.  It can ensure hours of uninterupted slumber, relieve fevers and pain and just generally solve all problems plaguing parents.  But it leaves its imbiber completely useless.  For many hours.  And therefore leads to exhanges like this:

Man – “I’m not feeling very well…I think I’ll go take NyQuil.”

Woman – “My Victoria’s Secret Pink sweat-pants covered behind you’re going to take NyQuil.  You were out last night and I had to get up with the kids this morning while you were oozing ouzo.  You lost your chance at NyQuil.”

Man – “But I can’t breathe, I have a fever and my left leg is dangling at an odd angle.”

Woman – “Suck it up.  In fact, I think I will go take some NyQuil.  Good night, loser.”

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the battle over NyQuil is critical.  The person who consumes it is quiet for long periods of time, incapacitated in one place …

Hey, wait … I wonder what the children’s dosage of NyQuil might be.  It’s certainly cheaper than the bourbon I’ve been putting in the bottles.

Call me General Petraeus.  I just won this war.

I believe … I may have developed the most perfect playlist to put you to sleep

Last night was not pretty.  I will spare you the details, but let’s just say it had me downing orange juice and Airborne and begging Native American shaman for a short visit.

I hate being sick.

If it does happen, more than anything else, I am a strong proponent of sleep.  During the day, at night, during conference calls (clients, you didn’t hear that)…whenever you can rest for a few minutes I think it makes all the difference in the world.  Seriously, is there anything that makes you feel better than a 45-minute nap during the middle of a work day?  Well, I suppose there is bourbon.  And chocolate.  But still, naps are right up there.

So last night, all I wanted to do was go to sleep.  But I think all the sugar in the orange juice was causing my brain to go into overdrive.  The critical questions one faces when the lights go out just wouldn’t let go of my conciousness: Obama or McCain?  Ohio State (-3) or Michigan State? Cold apple cider or hot apple cider?  Why do all of the Real Housewives of Atlanta have to be black except for the token snobby rich caucasion?  You know…the important things.

I had nothing left to do, but turn to my IPod.  When it comes to music, please understand where I’ve come from.  In high school, my idea of music depended on the light of day.  During the day, it was Alice and Chains, Megadeath and D-Nice.  That’s pretty much it.  Classic rock was Alice and Chains’ early stuff.  At night, when the lights turned low…it was Sunny 95’s love songs.  Seriously.  I know some of you in “the Burgh” had your Delilah.  But for me, it was the dulcet tones of Sunny 95.  If it was laced with sap, I hugged a pillow and ate it up.  Some of you facebook friends may have even been theoretical recipients of a late-night dedication of a Michael Bolton song at one point or another.

So that’s my background.  But my IPod changed all of that (that and 10 years with my lovely wife who actually knew the Steve Miller Band existed…unlike myself).  As a result, I have honed my taste in music and I feel like I can legitimately tell the Beatles from the Monkees at this point in my life.

So I scanned my Nick and Nora-esque infinite playlist and developed an eleven-song run that seems to be a perfectly timed, slumber-inducing conglomeration.  I present to you, my cure for insomnia playlist (and no, it doesn’t just consist of a series of my wedding reception speeches).  I welcome your comments and thoughts on glaring omissions.

1. Red House Painters – Song for a Blue Guitar (the lynch-pin of the list…you could just play this on a loop)

2. Rufus Wainwright – In a Graveyard

3. Christopher Jak – Seamless

4. Damien Rice – Cannonball

5. Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You Into the Dark

6. Joshua Radin – Winter

7. Marc Broussard – Untitled Track from Carencro (lyrics posted in a previous blog)

8. Matt Nathanson – Bulletproof Weeks

9. Mesh-29 – Over the Barricade (Live, Piano Version)

10. Ray LaMontagne – All the Wild Horses

11. Tom Waits – I hope that I don’t fall in love with you (this one is optional and the “weakest” of the list, but it works for me)

I believe … nothing cramps creativity like nausea

Good times.

I believe … that there is NO reason for anyone to watch tonight’s debate

I am a political animal.  I have always had an interest in politics and consider politics to be a critical part of my communications career.  It is true that I have always leaned a little to the right (another blog for another day), but more than anything else, I do everything I can to get other people to think about politics.

I try to impress upon anyone silly and bored enough to listen to me that no matter a person’s age, career or socio-economic background, politics has a direct impact on day-to-day life.  This could be local politics, state/national politics or even the political nature of the corporate workplace. To fully comprehend the political landscape and to be an effective advocate on critical issues, thorough research is absolutely necessary.

All of that said, please, please don’t consider tonight’s debate to be research.  Read a league of women voters brochure, listen to Rush Limbaugh and then watch any evening news channel for the far right and far left perspectives (sorry, cheap shot but increasingly true) or most importantly visit each candidate’s web site and compare and contrast their stances on critical issues.  But unless you’re having trouble sleeping or have lived in a cave for the past two years and plan on going right back after tonight (Bin Laden, what?)…please don’t watch tonight’s debate.

By now, the candidates have each picked their favorite sound bites, their favorite topics, have each settled into a “role” and their campaign and PR hacks are hammering into their heads that all the candidate needs to do to win is regurgitate these points and level ridiculous accusations at the other person.  That’s all you will see tonight.  Don’t we already know that Obama was against the Iraq war?  Don’t we know that McCain is old?  I think we may have heard that Obama is inexperienced.  And something tells me that perhaps Obama may have, at some point, voted to further a liberal agenda.

We know that Obama has charisma and well-fitting suits.  We know that McCain says “my friends” too much, has more liver spots than, well, liver andmay or may not have a house in all 50 states (except Arkansas…who would live in Arkansas?)  But let’s be realistic.  Does charisma make a successful president?  Rumor has it Millard Fillmore could OWN a room.  Does wealth and experience make someone a successful president?  Paging Mr. Bush.  Mr. Bush, please pick up line 1.

What really matters to us individually is where these candidates stand on certain issues.  What issues are important to you?  And don’t say the economy.  Both candidates are anti-recession.  They will agree on economic issues FAR more than they will disagree.  Gay marriage?  Both are against it and don’t pretend otherwise.

So what’s left?  How about agriculture…does one candidate understand the food crisis and the dangers posed by radical “animal rights” groups better than another?  What about crime?  No, I’m not talking about gun control.  What about issues related to sex offenders and their rights?  Which candidate best fits your philosophies on that critical public safety and inalienable rights debate?  Technological advances..where do the candidates stand on investment and research for diseases and industries that are important to you?

These are the issues that separate the candidates and should determine our next president.  Charisma won’t affect your life for the next four years.  Taxation and criminal philosophy might.  The amount of residences a candidate can write off on his taxes will have ZERO impact on my life for the next four years.  A candidate’s stance on animal agriculture or Parkinson’s research might.

So I ask the following two questions:

1) What issues are important to you?

and more importantly,

2) Who won tonight’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay?

Both answers are going to be more important than anything you hear tonight.

I believe … I scared any readers I may have had (and myself in the process)

Wow.

Did I really include Libertarian thought, Asian shellfish and religion in the blog that was supposed to be introducing myself to a new readership?  If I were a client, I’d fire me.

Allow me to pull a politician and back peddle like I’m on a run-away unicycle.

Yes, I plan to explore political and philosophical beliefs as well as issues of agriculture and gastronomy.  Those are all critical issues to me.

That said, I am a degenerate gambler, an admittedly flirtatious admirer of all things female, a liquor connoisseur and a burgeoning oenophile.  These things are as much a part of my personal fabric as my fervent belief in Adam Smith and vehement support of farmers and thoughtful rural/urban development.

So please, don’t judge me on one post.  Unless you came back to read this one.  In which case, judge away.

I believe … it’s time to blog

I have my own public relations consulting business.  As part of it, I often recommend some form of a blog/social media strategy to my clients.  When pitching a blog concept to them, I have two “golden rules” … well, three but the third doesn’t really apply here.

1) Post at least once a day

2) Be interesting

Sounds simple enough.  But I have already broken my own rules with this silly blogging venture.  Not only is this my first “real” post, but by definition, since this blog is about me, it will NOT be interesting.  So be forewarned.

While not interesting, at the very least, I hope this literary journey will be humorous, embarrassing, enlightening, frustrating, and perhaps maddening.

My intention is to use this blog to help me flesh out who I am and what I believe.  My hope is that in doing so, I might cause the sporadic and perhaps non-existant readers to question themselves on similar topics.  It is incredible that I am 31-years-old, I have been married nine years, I have two children, my own business and yet I have virtually NO discernible vision of myself.  As a result, I have to believe I am not alone.

It is so easy to go through the day drinking coffee, changing diapers, driving through McDonald’s, watching catching up on an Oprah Book Club selection during commercials of The Biggest Loser, driving through Burger King and going to sleep.  The difficult part is to actually think about your motivations for these mundane tasks…whether these actions fit with your vision for your life and for the world in which you live.

Is your life as superficial as your Facebook page?  Or are there REASONS for the labels you give yourself?  What the hell does Christian mean?  You will move to Canada if Obama doesn’t get elected?  Why?  Just to be with Barbara Streisand and one of the Baldwins when they do it?

The world is full of the Who, the What, the Where, the When…but I feel like the Why is either missing or so bastardized and corrupted that it might as well be non-existant.  While there will be plenty of Who’s, What’s, Where’s and even When’s in this space, it is the Why’s that I am concerned with.

One final thought as I set the stage for this blog.  I am not writing as an expert, unlike the way so many blogs are presented.  I am not giving the label of right or wrong to abortion, I’m not telling you why you shouldn’t buy shrimp sourced from Asia or that it’s acceptable to NOT consider yourself Christian.  I’m simply telling you why I eat Lousiana crustaceans.  So please feel free to leave comments and tell me what YOU believe.  But don’t tell me why I’m wrong.  These are my beliefs.

I’m right simply because I HAVE beliefs.  The wrong is to not care…to not think…to not believe.