Crash Course Voting

So my big agenda this year has been about making an informed vote. It's sort of a futile exercise, since the truth behind any candidate is muddled underneath piles of half-truths and smears on opponents. I've done enough research to feel confident in who I'm voting for this year. If you've been keeping up on my blog, it probably isn't a big surprise.

I'll be voting for Obama.

I wanted to find the hard, definite truth behind the motives of each candidate when, really, they're both the same. It's apparent from the campaigns of each that they're willing to resort to lies and deceit to gain the presidency. Neither is any different from any other politician.

But there's a couple of things that swayed my vote for Obama.

1. As the campaigns progressed, I felt the tone of McCain's campaign became more conservative. I'm far from conservative, so naturally, I share viewpoints common with the Democratic party, but at one point years ago, I felt I could support McCain because I felt he represented the areas where I'm both liberal and conservative. I don't get that impression any more (see, among other things, the nomination of Sarah Palin). This has been the biggest reason for my vote. Simply put, I align more with Obama's views than McCain's.

2. I'm liberal in many areas, conservative in some, but one thing I cannot stand is the neo-con, religious brand of politics we've had under W. It doesn't help McCain that many of his top advisers were also advisers for George W. Bush.

3. The biggest criticism against Obama is his lack of experience. What I've failed to understand during this whole election is this: what is the litmus test for the proper amount of experience required for a successful president? And, furthermore, is experience really the ultimate qualifier for success as a president?

I'm not convinced that Obama is the savior that so many, especially handfuls of liberals in a town like Seattle, seem to believe he is, but based on what I've read, what I've heard, and what I believe in, I feel that Obama is best equipped to lead this country in the direction I want it to go in.

Of course, with so much attention given to the Presidential Election, I kinda-sorta forgot to look into any of the other elections or initiatives on my ballot this go-around. So, on the eve of my interview tomorrow morning, I'm staying up late, cramming for tomorrow's vote. Here's what I've come up with:

Governor: Christine Gregoire (D) vs Dino Rossi (R).

This was a close race last time these two met, the closest Gubernatorial election in U.S. History. Personally, I still haven't forgiven Gregoire for signing off on a bill that made one of my biggest hobbies, online poker, a state felony on equal footing with possession of child pornography. But is that enough for me to vote Dino? This one I'm still unsure on.

U.S. House: Jim McDermott (D) vs Steve Beren (R).

Among other issues, McDermott voted against the bailout package and supports a repeal of the act that banned payment transfers for online gambling. Instead, he supports an initiative that regulates and taxes online gambling. Good enough for my vote to keep him in office.

Wash. State Legislative District 36, Pos 1: Reuven Carlyle (D) vs John Burbank (D).

Carlyle supports growth for businesses by education and training of technical skills and lives in my neighborhood (albeit in a house that I could never afford). Burbank seems more grass roots and supports growing small, independent businesses here. Despite Carlyle's embrace of private funding and Burbank's dismissal of it, I give Carlyle a narrow edge here.

Wash. State Legislative District 36, Pos 2: Mary Lou Dickerson (D) vs Leslie Klein (D).

This one seems pretty easy, although I'm basing my decision (at this late in the game) on a comparison in Seattle Times. Klein comes across as a bitter Republican upset at what he sees is a Democrat controlled government. I support his idea to balance the budget, but for several answers, he gives no other answer or explanation, Dickerson gives me that, she gets my vote.

Initiative 1000: allowing terminally ill patients diagnosed with 6 months or less to live the right to receive lethal prescription drugs. I fully support this. Critics quote cases where people have recovered to live longer even after receiving a 6 month or less sentence, but I see this as being a benefit to the majority of cases. One, it's an option, and two, it's a right that I believe every person should have, especially if it is self-administered and painless.

Initiative 985: opening HOV lanes to all traffic during specified times, along with traffic synchronization and funding for roadside assistance. I support the gist of this bill but I'll be voting no on it. I support the idea of opening up the HOV lanes at particular times beyond the 6-9am and 4-7am but I don't support the time frames outlined in this initiative, nor do I support the idea of dedicating funds to traffic light synchronization or roadside assistance. Instead, I support more funding into improve public transportation.

That's all I have for now. It's 1am, and I have to call it a night. Happy voting, everyone.