BernieHund: The Political Watchdog

As the Iowa primary approaches, now less than a week off, I am still amazed at some of the articles I am seeing.  For some reason we still seem to have an issue with a candidate’s race or gender.  Maybe it’s because there are the possibilites of “firsts” coming from the election…. first woman president or first black president or first whatever.  If electing a “first” is one’s motivation for voting we are in deeper trouble than I could have imagined. 

I have stated very clearly that I support John Edwards.  And, yes, I suppose that labels me a “liberal” or the more politically correct term… a “progressive”.  Perhaps, it’s my “liberal” point of view that prevents me from looking at a candidate’s race or gender.  Perhaps, I’m just naive, but I can’t believe that we are still looking at these so-called “issues” when there is so much more that is important. 

Iraq is still in disarray.  We broke it, so I suppose we bought it.  Pakistan is now erupting following the assassination of Banizar Bhutto.  Foreclosures are soaring.  New home starts have sunk to a decade low.  Americans are leasing almost everything they possess from banks via credit card “loans”.  Corporate consolidation and monopolization (AT&T, for example) are the trend.  What happened to the idea of splitting up Ma Bell? 

Our children can’t read!  We have all but abandoned math and science as not being “sexy”.  People are being turned away from hospitals because they don’t have health care.  Mothers and fathers are having to work two or three jobs to pay the bills and their children are left to raise themselves.  And, still America is one of the few “civilized” societies that continues with the death penalty.  (While the EU requires that a country abolish the death penalty to become a member.)  Let’s not forget the immigration issue.  We need these people to work here, but we can’t seem to figure out exactly what we should do with them once they get here… let them apply for citizenship or send them home?

I don’t agree 100% with everything John Edwards represents.  I would like to see him take a stand against the death penalty.  But, overall, his position on most of the ISSUES is my position.  He’s a populist.  Remember… We, the People… That’s US.  That’s U.S.! 

And, when a friend asked recently, “If you are so open minded, why aren’t you supporting Obama or Clinton?”

I wanted to reply, “I like Edwards’ southern accent.”  DUH!