Presidential Election Day 2008

As I sit here in my hotel room in beautiful Indianapolis, CNN is playing in the background. If anyone didn't know today was the USA Presidential Election, please crawl out from under your rock for the next one in 2012. Unfortunately, I was not able to vote today. I registered on the last day to vote in Arizona, but it was too late for me to absentee vote. I take full responsibility for not getting in in time. I guess I should preface this with: If I would have voted, I would have voted 3rd Party.

Alright my vocal friends, I am going to voice a few opinions here, and I understand you will post your opinions whether you agree or disagree with me. I am fully prepared for it.

I am on the road this week for work which means I am getting the chance to see how others view things. This is great most of the time. But a few things happened today that made me think twice and wonder if I was naive when I was in high school. I remember my senior year of high school was an election year. I was not yet 18, but the guy I was dating was so we both watched the election until midnight seeing what was happening. Today I was at a high school presenting to student on the university for which I work. It was about 50% white. As I was driving off, I passed a car with a young man hanging out the window yelling "Vote right, vote white." WTF? I could keep but wondering if he was following in his parents footsteps.

I also saw several people wearing attire to support different candidates. Are these kids doing their research? Or are they getting their information from SNL or the Daily Show or Facebook? Facebook has become a fighting ground. It has made it easier to voice your opinion without the fear of your peers attacking you face to face. Yesterday and today several of my friends donated their status to candidates. Hello free advertisements.

As a young voter, I don't want to be part of the statistic that says I am part of the largest group to not turn out for elections, however, this year I am. I believe several of my friends feel the same way, but I still question "Do we do our research?"

A Paris Hilton commercial just aired. I thought she was doing okay until the camera pulled out and showed her in a swim suit. Sorry, I guess you still don't have my respect.

I see myself as a middle ground person, not extreme right, not extreme left. But that is all we had this year. No one was close to the middle this year.

Over the next few days we will find out the outcome of today. Whatever the country has decided we will live with for four years. Until we can vote again. One thing to keep in mind, the president only has final say. Congress makes the laws, the president okays it. All these changes to the healthcare system inevitably has to go through Congress. Well we will have to wait and see what will happen. Good Luck and may your candidate win!

Rock on,
Lane J

PS- Go Nader!! (just kidding)