First of all this election has gone on far to long. You can see it as the parties start slinging the “crap” as they have, due to the constant repetition of a few issues. Yet many of the real issues have yet to be addressed.

Meanwhile lets talk about “CHANGE” which seems to be a common theme this year. First of all, we will have change. Bush, because of limitations to the number of terms he can serve, is out. (Some of us think that these limitations would be a good idea throughout government, in other words, TERM LIMITS FOR ALL ELECTED POSITIONS!!!)

Obama’s position on change, in my opinion, is basically, elect him. I don’t know how HE can change Washington because it is made up of more entrenched democrats in the past 4 years then the opposition and this majority looks like it will continue as will the current democratic agenda. Spending, bigger government involvement, social justice, higher taxes and spending, etc. etc. Most of, any of the other change, would require the approvals of congress which he does have good chance of getting as long has he goes along with the democratic agenda and the “leadership?” of Pelosi and Reid.

McCain’s idea of change, as I see it, is to use his past experience and demonstrated efforts of “working across the aisles“, (many times I have disagreed with what he accomplished “working across the aisles”) to be a force against many programs such as tax increases, earmarks and government spending despite them being the populist agenda.

Real change has to come with changes in congress and the process we use to run the country.

My gut feel is to go with McCain. He will either accomplish a few things but most importantly, he, through the power of the veto and the “bully pulpit”, be able to prevent the country from going further in the wrong direction with the majority democratic congress

In reviewing short term history and my, perhaps limited, view of the constitution, especially the separation of powers, the unilateral authority vested in the President is very limited to say the least. My understanding is that he can make appointments, if congress is recessed, grant pardons, make recommendations, and approve or veto (which can be overridden) bills and other legislation, give guidance and set the tone and goals of his/her administration regarding priorities. BUT his unilateral authority to do or implement policy or programs is strictly limited to what congress (house and/or senate) will agree to pass or approves such as budgets, spending, taxes, judicial appointments, trade, and foreign policy to name a few. For example, congress approved the Bush tax cuts, congress approved NAFTA, congress approved the most recent supreme court justices, the war in the middle east, etc, etc…. so it seems to me that a large amount of the credit or blame for all the current problems perceived by the American public should be placed not just on the Bush administration but on the congress as well. This shared responsibility should be applied for finding solutions to problems as well as placing blame. To the best of my knowledge there is nothing to prevent congress from suggesting or passing legislation/solutions to issues like, immigration, border security, energy, high costs of gasoline, Medicare, health insurance, social security, etc. without waiting for the next President. In fact, as I see it, the critical choice of our next President should be for the one that you think can best provide CONTROL over a, most likely, democratic majority congress and its perceived agenda of increased government involvement in our personal lives, higher overall taxes, environmental issues without regard for the overall health of the economy, a lesser commitment to combat Islamic Fundamentalism, abortion rights, and the independence of the American way of life to name a few. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Is this country great or not! What other country in the world could you have a black minority, educated at Harvard, with the accompanying law degree, but with no experience in any real world environment, except as an advocate and an activist for special interests, with a minor level of experience in politics as a state representative and just 3 years into his election as a junior senator for the state of Illinois, accept the nomination from the largest political body in the world, (democrats) to be their candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America, and to represent you and me to the world. If this isn’t great I don’t know what is.

Hopefully, however, the more mature and more reflective part of this great country will carefully review the challenges that face us in the real world, and how this very accomplished but inexperienced and not tested candidate will hold up in the rigors of international and domestic politics and the specific threats to our security and the safety of our way of life, and carefully review his stated policies on how he and his fellow democrats (Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Clinton, Boxer, and associates) will accomplish this.

I am sure the teachers union and other unions along with the trial lawyers and the environmental advocates concerned with the main threat to mankind of global warming and carbon footprints will have many ideas on how he should go about addressing these issues. For me, I am hopeful that sounder heads will prevail and accept the fact that a democratic president to go along with a most likely majority democratic house and senate would be a major setback for our country and economy and take us on the path to socialism that affects so many of the European countries. Be sure and vote and if you can VOTE REPUBLICAN AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY!

Dad/Grandpa/ Joe