Uninformed Voter

I am ashamed to admit that I don’t know which political candidate I should support…  And it’s due to the fact that I haven’t done enough research into which topics I consider most important!!  There are many media outlets I have to take advantage of that I make sure are part of daily living- NPR, a subscription to Newsweek, watching CNN at the gym if I’m doing a cardio day…

But so far I feel like these are only reporting bits and pieces of what I need to know to make a solid decision on who I will vote for.  I was shocked to return to the U.S. after two months abroad and see the candidates bickering at each other like kids!!  After seeing that, I considered voting for the other side…. but going republican is not something I do lightly.

Recently I updated my party affiliation status when renewing my drivers license, and kept the “Democrat” thing going.  So my top 2 are obviously Clinton and Obama.  But I’m not sure how they differ.

I don’t need to like my president.  I just need to feel that they’re doing a good job.  I like that it’s a difficult decision, that I feel like I have a choice between two (possibly three) candidates.  I’m not going to vote for a lesser evil this time, I’ll be voting for someone who I will believe will make our country a better place.  I just need to figure out who it is.

In making this choice, I have to compare the platforms of all 3 candidates on these issues:

• The war:  Stop it, but in a safe way for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. 
• Health Care:  For it.  For everyone… easier access, less bills… I’m okay with increasing taxes for this one.  Especially for kids and preventative visits.  Don’t abandon the sick.
• Immigration:  Why are we persecuting people who are doing exactly what our ancestors did 100-200 years ago?  We have a fantastic country and can deal with sharing.
• Diplomacy:  Our future president needs to reach out and let the rest of the world know we’re not the arrogant war mongers they think we are.

And finally, part of my decision is based on a gut feeling.  Choosing a person for a certain job, whether political or in my own life, always seems to come down to this.  Right now,  I think it’s leaning towards Obama.  He’s young, new blood full of inspiration and (hopefully) free of cynicism… plus I kinda like the gritty personal history.  What made me realize this was thinking “In my own life, would I prefer the old, experienced but removed from the little med students attending doctor to be president of the med school, OR a young, exuberant chief resident who hasn’t lost that idealism after too many years doing administrative work?”  I prefer the person who can still listen to me, who remembers what it’s like to look up at your dreams and wonder.