Daring to hope….

Its rare that I publicly express manyif any–religious or political views here in this diary.

I have many diverse family and friends that I adore in my real life and here in my cyber-life, whose beliefs and perspectives I respecteven as they are vastly different from my own. My spiritual beliefs are extremely personal–and although I celebrate yours and yours and yours for you and you and you–I find myself less willing to try to find the inadequately human words for my own journey and joy on this pale blue dot in the universe.

Political perspectives, on the other hand, have been a joyless journey for me. Despite what others think I should or should not think or feel–I have viewed politics in general over the years with different elements of dismay, disgust, or cynicism. And as I have aged, I am less and less willing to express my views on this topic as well.

Today (though I am taking the risk of attracting annoying hate-notes and opinion wars)–I will say just this much:

I have always been registered as an Independent voter. I have listened and watched both sides and voted for the person I thought would lead bestand not necessarily for political party/religion/race/gender/or any single issue. In the past I have sometimes voted with conviction. I have sometimes voted as if it were a roll of the dice. And I have also, with reluctance and dread, voted for who I believed was the lesser of two evils.

This time feels different. This time I am fascinated by many interesting and intelligent candidates. This time I am uncharacteristically and enthusiastically glued to the media coverage of both the Republican and Democratic Caucuses and Primaries and looking forward to our state caucus next Tuesday. This time, however, I have re-registered as a Democrat. Judge me as you may or if you must, for all will eventually be proven one way or another–but this time I actually have a sliver of hope.

And this time I have, for the very first time in my life, a bumper sticker on my car.

:)xo

Adagio

You already know that I am full agreement with you. The next week is going to be a nail biter. I’m glued to the television today! This morning on MSNBC, a young female talking head “accidentally” called him Osama. No kidding. I have a bumper sticker on my car this year too. First political sticker ever. It says “Cheney/Satan ’08” I get a lot of thumbs up for that one, Ha.

'Rella

January 30, 2008

Rock on! Be well,

RoofOnFire

I always vote – I believe everybody should, but sadly I no longer have great faith or hope in any politician.

Shi

I feel like this year there might actually be a choice for me..unless the political powers to be feel that we need the same old, same old. I want choices this year, not just to vote for whoever I dislike least.

Chrys.

I’m with you! (thank you. you are so very dear to me. *huge hugs*)

Robin W

Nodding away here. Me too. All of it. Hugs,

Cat

love it! jealous! want one! (not allowed b/c of my job)

It’s great that you have hope and nice that you’ve shared your views with us, too 😀

I think if Pat Paulson was still alive I might vote for him this time. I am resigned and believe that I will loose the right of being able to worship and live openly as a Born Again Christian at some point in the near future. I too want to view myself as an Independent but I know which platform is more friendly towards Christians. I want truth, morals and integrity not sure there is anymore. BRO

Disillusioned with them all, Republicans and Democrats. I’ve lost hope in all that is political. BRO

I so hear you on the roll of the dice feeling often, and the occasional feeling good about a candidate, and occasionally having to choose between the least worst, and often, for propositions and such, I vote based on what I think is important value-wise (ie no incurring debt, no cutting down poor ppl etc) and I worry about the choice for a bit, and then I think, it’s just one vote. It’s my best choice, but I dont have to decide it completely, I can just hope for the best.

Oh BRO – I, too, hold fast to the freedom of religious expression, especially if it is done with your compassion, integrity and love, – Pam, Proud sis of Adagio and BRO

just elle

February 3, 2008

…is it possible??? 🙂 Each successive election we have…I get nervouser and nervouser. I hope to never have to vote for the lesser of two evils again.

Mama Blue

February 9, 2008

I like Obama for Domestic but not Foriegn policy. I may very well vote for him, but not if he chooses Hillary as a running mate. I won’t vote for Clinton, but I won’t be upset if she wins, either. At least this time around we have good choices. We are not a Banana Republic so tell BRO that checks and balances will protect HIS rights, too.

it was great to see this entry. not only because i am delighted that you have some good feelings about the democratic process, but also because you are opening up in a way that is difficult for me to do even in a private diary. thanks for sharing this, and thanks, too, for being a good role model for this scaredy cat.