Does anybody know this person?
I have a friend/family/aquantence who I have been talking to about this election or political stiff in generel.  First I find that they do not really like discussing politics.  Second I find that when they do talk about politics they think all politicians are two-faced liars.   Third, I  ask them if they vote and I always find my self surprised buy their answer which happens to usually be a resounding YES.  I forgot to mention but most of these conversations have been between those over the age of 30.  I then ask them if they read the newspapers to find out more about the candidates and their positions.  The usual response is somethign to the effect that they do not have enough time and/or do the find themselves wanting to take the time to become informed about the intracacies of policy positions nor voting records in the candidates background.  After this point I am curious to ask them about a particular issue whether it be guns, abortion, miltary service, etc., you know the controversial stuff, and I found a mixed array of answers but everyone I talked to at least a little to say on each of these subjects.  Wow this is interesting!

I forgot to mention that I live in the South, Texas, in a very diverse population.  This state has been RED for a long time although it did have a history of electing some decent Southern democrats from the past prior to the 1980's.  So after talking to many of these people I then ask them what they want from government, and what I find here is perplexing.  Many say that they think government does not function well, it is too big, too beauracratic, too intrusive or too taxing.  I say to them then would it not be impotant to understand those elected officials in your community/district/county and their positions.  They say yes!  Would you not have a problem if those elected officials who you found yourself voting for not living up to their words nor rhetoric but actually taking you and your vote in an entirely different direction?  They usual sympathize at this point and begin to slowly step away from me like I am some strange person who has crossed a line of some sort.  I always try to then say well would it not be prudent to take your vote elsewhere perhaps putting your vote in a different party if your elected official  is not following you and others notions about how things should work?

Well I am trying to turn alot of independents and the more libertarian factions of the Red army here in Texas, aka Republicans, towards the glaring failures of their politicians to address their constituents concerns and understand the modern problems that we face.  What I find as that many of my friends/family/aquantences are upset at the last four-to-eight years but will probably pull the lever for Johnny McBush come November. What I find is that many of these people are largely uninformed of the policies of their candidates and the outcome of such policies in a historical ocntext as well a more modern context.  I also believe that many of those in my community are not so different than me.  They are apathetic to a certain degree about the ability of government to deal with problems facing each community.  They want to be empowered so that they and their community can solve its problems by its own methods.  If find that they think our drug and some of police polcies our conter-productive.  I find that many want a smaller and more caring  government.  So maybe we are closer to eachother than many would make it out to be.  What are your stories? Maybe some of you guys and gals have better methods for talking to R's and I's for Novemeber, I'll take suggestions but I am afraid that I will become a bitter expat if John McCain is elected and I can not understand how people come to him as  viable solution for America's next four years, maybe someone can enlighten me here as well.

Democrats 08', not becasue their the best but because they actually believe in government!