Palin

The interesting thing about politics, is that sometimes issues are very clear and other times they aren't. What is ironic, is that when issues are clear for some, they're blurry for others. I'm hoping that there is one thing that we can all agree upon, regardless of party affiliation:

the vice president of the United States of America should have more foreign experience than I do, a 23 year old graduate student.

I'm also not all that thrilled, that I'm more educated than a potential vice president of the United States.

so can we all just congratulate her for her volunteer work on the PTA and her historic election as the governor of Alaska, and leave it at that? I mean, is this really something that we need to talk about, need to process?

Does anyone else need to be reminded of the last time we elected someone because we felt like he was "like us?" We need people with experience but also judgement. Someone who encourages dissent. George Bush had a nice accent but because of his lack of experience and confidence he was able to be manipulated by his own vice president.

Didn't we realize over the last eight years that the vice president could have very real power and that someone who is overly ideological and under-qualified can really cost the American people quite a bit? the lives of their daughters and sons, their reputation, the safety of their people when they travel. All these things have been compromised in large part because of the work of our current vice president.

John McCain is really really old. Sarah Palin needs to be considered not only as a VP candidate, but also as a candidate for our highest political office, the most powerful position in the world. Would she, as someone with no international experience, really be confident enough to foster critical debate among some of the most brilliant minds in America about economic, political and social issues in Japan, Russia, Bolivia, Jamaica and Angola? Could she find these countries on a map?

There is not critical debate at the white house unless it is fostered. You really want me to believe that a hockeymom will ask the right questions? will surround herself with the right people? Will give herself fully to an office that requires twenty hour days, with five children?

I just don't buy it.

But I grew up in the midwest. I know there are people sitting at their kitchen tables tickled pink that a woman with a down syndrome baby might lead our country and it really just pushes my buttons that someone could be so selfish that they would think only of their one pet issue than of the economic well being of not only their nation, but the hundred other nations supported by our foreign aid programs. Now is not a time for one issue politics.