This is kinda like God sanctioning my vote...

I'm a republican. And I've wanted John McCain to run for president for almost as long as I have wanted General Colin Powell, the former Army Joint Chief of Staff and former Secretary of State, to run.

General Powell is more qualified to make an endorsement than any man I can think of. He has served in some official capacity under 5 U.S. Presidents. He has been in the Situation Room for hundreds if not thousands of hostile national security situations. He knows the temperment and judgement that should be displayed by a commander in chief and I think no one can doubt he is fit to judge the foreign affairs and national security readiness of a candidate.

General Powell stated his dismay with Senator McCain's campaign in the plainest rhetoric, and echoes my concern about the campaign's efforts to align Senator Obama with people's fears about terrorism. He defends the honor of Muslim Americans and Islam as a religion of legitimacy and peace. He assesses, I think rightly, that Sarah Palin is not qualified or prepared to be President in the event that that might become necessary, and he acknowledges Barack Obama's level-headed approach to leadership.

Even if McCain had remained true to his views and values, and run an honorable campain, a Colin Powell endorsement of Barack Obama would have made me think twice about voting for McCain. That's the level of respect and deference I give this man, and even now, when I thought I could be no more sure that Obama was my man, the words of this great soldier, republican, and statesman make me even more sure. God bless the United States of America.

More politics, this time by request.

Sorry to do it again, but a friend requested a link to this article about the man I referred to as "the old John McCain."

"Mr McCain used to be a passionate believer in limited government and sound public finances; a man with some distaste for conservative Republicanism and its obsession with reproductive matters. On the stump, though, he has offered big tax cuts for business and the rich that he is unable to pay for, and he is much more polite to the religious right, whom he once called “agents of intolerance”. He has engaged in pretty naked populism, too, for instance in calling for a “gas-tax holiday”. If this is all just a gimmick to keep his party’s right wing happy, it may disappear again. But that is quite a gamble to take.

Two months remain before the election, more than enough time for Mr McCain to allay some of these worries. He needs to spend less time reassuring evangelicals that he agrees with them about abortion and gay marriage, and more time having another look at his tax plans. The old John McCain attacked Mr Bush for his tax cuts, which he said were unaffordable. The new John McCain not only wants to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, but wants to add to them by virtually eliminating estate tax (something that would benefit a tiny number of very rich families, like his own). He also proposes to slash corporation tax. People on middle incomes would see little benefit. Independent analysts agree that Mr McCain’s plans would increase an already huge deficit.

Hawkish foreign policy, irresponsible tax cuts, more talk about religion and abortion: all this sounds too much like Bush Three, the label the Democrats are trying to hang around the Republican’s neck. We preferred McCain One."

As did I. And lest it be said I'm getting too political on my blog, I remind you I just did a post that said "knockin' the boots" like 4 times.

Talking Politics: Move on if you don't like it.

Disclaimer: I'm getting political on my blog... I was in Washington DC for part of this weekend and visited the FDR memorial (which is probably my favorite). On one of the walls it had this quote:



My mom and I just had a conversation about John McCain. She remarked how odd it was that I had always wanted John McCain to run for President and now that he's nominated, I wasn't planning to vote for him. We talked about it for a long time, but eventually I just threw my arms up and said that I miss the old John McCain. The John McCain before this belligerent attack ad crusade and crap. I honestly think he used to have his head on straight and now he's just being puppeted by his party and campaign managers. My dad thinks I'm caught up in this youth Obama storm, and I will admit I feel strongly that Barack Obama should be the one elected in November. And I might feel torn if John McCain weren't making it so easy for me to dislike him. I don't agree with Obama 100%. While I am generally pro-choice his voting record on partial-birth abortion is a little discomforting. But abortion is a stupid issue to make this election about, since Rowe v. Wade is going nowhere even if McCain were elected. Honestly, all other policy aside, he's the only one who's economic plan makes any sense.

I think I manage fine on what I make, but there are a lot people in this country trying to support families on less than what I make and these are the people without health care and at biggest risk of losing their jobs. To continue massive tax breaks for corporations who export their labor, oil companies who made the most obscene of profits this year, and Americans who make over $200,000 a year while extending not a cent of tax relief to the middle class is blanketly absurd.

The John McCain I grew up with would've never championed the Bush tax cuts. The argument in favor of these tax cuts is that people in this tax bracket will use the money they save and the economic growth will stimulate the greater economy. The problem with that argument is that history demonstrates it doesn't trickle down. It doesn't strengthen the overall economy. At least in never has. Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different result. My mom agreed but said, "Jared, you know your father makes over $200,000 a year, right?"

"Yes, but is that WHY you guys feel differently?"

"It's a big part of it. You'd feel picked on if you worked as hard as your dad has for as long as he has, to have 39% of your wages taxed."

"I suppose, but at the wage I earn, 21% might actually hurt worse. And I don't even have the risk of losing my job."

I've been thinking about this a lot and I think I agree with the guy who got us out of the great depression more than the guy who got us into whatever it is we're in now.

On most days I like my job.

But not when I'm in till 2am on Monday, then 4am on Tuesday.

I blame Mitt Romney. Just lose already.