My Thoughts on Our New President Elect

Good Morning, all. Amazing day, isn't it? I didn't watch any news or check the news sites after I voted yesterday, so while it wasn't a big surprise or anything, it was news to me when I woke to find out who our new president will be. I know a lot of my green friends are giddy with joy this morning, and I know that a lot of my conservative friends are probably rather disheartened. 

Me, I'm cautiously optomistic (talk about a middle of the road stance, huh?) See, for the first time in many elections, I didn't feel like I was voting simply for the lesser of two evils. I think they are both good men. I was undecided up until almost the last minute yesterday when I shut off my mind, got quiet, and listened to my heart. Then I went and voted. For John McCain. And I knew, that whatever the outcome of this election would be, it was going to be okay. 

However else you might feel about our new president elect, one thing is clear, Senator Obama says he's going to try to make the environment a priority. And since I am clearly pro-environment, I'm excited about what he might be able to do (see - there's that cautious optimism rearing its ugly head again, I said "might.")

So here is my question to you, readers. What do you think is the most important environmental issue that our new president should tackle? You know what, let me ask a different question. Besides alternative energy, what do you think the most important environmental issue is that our new president should tackle? I think that most people would say alternative energy is paramount. What's next after that? Me, I'd like to see him tackle something having to do with food security or strengthening local, organic farmers and making their jobs easier.

I'm Intrigued by Sarah Palin

I had never heard Sarah Palin's name until my son's baseball practice last night. Actually, I didn't even hear her name, just the buzz that Senator McCain had chosen a 44 year old, minivan driving, mother of 5 as his running mate. 

I got excited. Not because she's a woman. Not because she's a conservative. Not because I suddenly had the clarity of knowing how I'm going to vote in the November elections.

I got excited because I thought, "I can't believe he just did that!"

In regard to politics, we often utter the phrase "I can't believe he just did that" while all along we actually do believe it was done. No one really does anything that surprises us. We have all become very jaded. When is the last time you went to vote in a gubernatorial election or a presidential election and didn't say or hear at least 5 other people say, "I wish I just wasn't voting for the lesser of two evils?" It's become common to vote for the person you believe will do the least amount of damage. 

But yesterday, I truly couldn't believe someone had "just done that." Senator McCain's choice thrills me. I feel a little less jaded this morning. 

I've read a few online articles about Governor Palin this morning. There are some things I really like about her, other things I wish were different. But so far I haven't seen anything that has put me off. Of course, since she seems to have come out of left field, there isn't much to read yet. Everyone seems to have the same information.

I certainly haven't made up my mind about November. But I have a renewed interest in this election and a renewed faith in our political system. 

Image taken from Governor Palin's Biography on the Alaska State webpage.