Who speaks for You, Me, Us?

Politics is one of those subjects that you have to tread lightly on, because like religion, many people wear their political affiliations on their sleeve. Going against the grain of someone's political inclinations may lead to insults, shouting matches and the like. In 2007, the electorate is more divided than in any other time in our nation's history... Although this is a far cry from the tensions surrounding the Compromise of 1850 or the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 that eventually led to the American Civil War. As for myself, I like to fancy myself a party agnostic as it is my opinion that claiming the mantle of a party puts one in a box or more fittingly it makes me feel dirty...I like to have a host of choices, I like going to the grocery store and instead of reaching for the Cinnamon & Spice oatmeal I like to reach for the variety pack.

Something that I read recently that was an eyebrow raiser. The sons and daughters of beloved Republican icons are contemplating crossing the aisle to the (gasp) hated Democrats! Susan Eisenhower, the granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower cited that the free spending ways of the Bush Presidency, the hi-jacking of her party by single-issue voters, especially pro-lifers-is driving pragmatic, fiscally conservative voters out of the GOP. She even muttered that she could vote Democratic in 2008. Theodore Roosevelt IV, the great-grandson of President Teddy Roosevelt is up in arms with George W. Bush's inattention to global warming, the record deficits incurred to support the "global war on terror", the notion of promoting democracy aboard something that President Woodrow Wilson was attacked for during his time in office. Even Barry Goldwater's daughter stated that she feels that the Republican party has "taken on more than what they can handle."

History always repeats itself and it is the contention of many historians and political pundits alike that 2008, very well may mirror the 1932 election when Franklin D. Roosevelt exploited the collapse of the GOP to build his Democratic majority. After all the latest polls show that the President's approval rating at its lowest ebb ever (28%). In looking at the Republican Presidential debates earlier last week I was not impressed, except for Ron Paul who actually sounded as if he was taking a stance on the issues, rather than saying what he thinks people want to hear to get elected, not unlike Hillary Clinton as I am not a fan of dynastic politics...

I can only wish that people would not fall into the trap of not voting for someone simply because the media and pundits say that they have no chance of winning (what do we say). My dream Presidential match-up... Ron Paul versus Dennis Kucinich sounds tantalizing... Maybe Al Gore versus Chuck Hagel... What are your thoughts?