Right to choose

For almost a week now, my mind has been awash with thoughts of this upcoming election. Mostly, it's fear of the worst - another four years of Republicans in office. But the thoughts came flooding in after McCain picked Palin as his running mate - news officemates reacted to with confusion - can this country really elect this man, whose judgment is so impaired and so (hate to use a catchphrase) out of touch, to the highest office in the land, and possibly the most important in the world? There's a sick feeling in my stomach at that thought, knowing that eight years ago a similar thing happened. When Bush was elected I knew the worst was going to come. Even at 14 I could see through the veil of morality and righteous rhetoric. It was clear to me the egoism and disconcerting foolishness of this man. It's frightening that only a few years later, my fears proved right as we went to a senseless, endless war with a country that had nothing to do with the reasons he and his cronies touted. I remember being 14 and thinking, surely the American public can't fall for this. Surely they're smarter.

I was wrong. So until the results come in on November 4 (barring another Florida or Ohio "mishap" or whatever you call it), I'm holding my breath and praying feverishly that Americans can see this all for what it is and look beyond the rhetoric of a self-righteous party.