First Post (aka My Mainfesto)

First let me just say I like the URL I came up with, "lostinthecenter" because it really expresses the way i feel here in 2008 near the end of a Presidential race thats barely given me motivation to get out of bed come November 4th. Who speaks for me? Not really either party it seems.

But let me digress a moment and add, that in writing this post I have done more than 6 other people whose already owned the first 6 URLs that I wanted. Several look like they would have been somewhat political in nature as well. But they couldn't even make a first post on their blog? How does one get motivated to create a political blog and NOT make a first post? I understand getting motivated to create a blog, make a post and then the desire to keep it up fades away. I mean, hell, thats the story of my life in 1 sentence.

Anyway, back to why I'm here. Its not for money, fame or notoriety, in fact I plan on keeping myself anonymous. I really don't care what others think of me, but I also don't need any hate mail or calls in the middle of the night because the lunatic fringe Stumbled on my blog and think I should burn in Hell (or fry in the middle of the desert for the atheists out there).

"But you have ads on your page!?!..." So if I get 10 consistent people to read and reply perhaps I'll make an easy nickel here or there. Thats the American way, right?

Its really because I have been non-political for so long my brain seems to be over flowing with the desire to release its political tension. So consider this a place mental regurgitation. It won't always be political, and I won't usually be coming with heavily researched facts. But I do think it will always be a view of a man who is a free thinker and realizes that people on ANY wing don't have it right.

When I was younger I was the secretary of my Young Republican club in high school, and thats about the peak of my political involvement until now. Throughout college I absorbed all I could in classes to learn about the world, and while I did take freshmen sociology, I didn't graduate a tree hugging hippie. In fact I would say the most influential class that I took that shaped my world view was Macro Economics. I'll get into the Economy at a later time, but basically it the reason I will never vote for any candidate who will increase social spending or taxes.

In short my beliefs go like this, "Eco" is a greek prefix which means "House". The Eco-system is Nature's House, if you will, and many will say the house is out of order because Man has polluted it and driven species to extinction. The same concept holds true when you talk about Money. When people (especially governments) tinker with the nature of the economy, it gets out of whack. Socialists love nothing more than to tinker with the economy and the more they do, the more they make it difficult for normal people to break the chains of their fore-fathers and become wealthy. So I will never vote for Socialist thinkers.

"So... you won't be voting for Obama I take it?" You are probably correct. But McCain has in no way inspired me to go to the polls and vote for him. He puts me to sleep.

"But what about Sarah Palin, isn't she great?" Um, she seems to be rather intelligent and driven. She's a firecracker, to use a nice misogynistic term. She's definitely looks good on stage, and I mean that in terms of how she can be "perceived" as a strong leader. For example, Mitt Romney and Al Gore "looked" like what the common man would expect a President to look like. But she doesn't really lead me to believe she can walk into the United Nations and sway foreign leader to support the American causes we will need her to. If Johnny Mac wins, I hope she proves me wrong.

"So if you don't like McCain and you don't like Obama, who are you going to vote for?" Possibly libertarian. Not because they have a viable candidate. In fact I'm not even sure they are on the ballot in my state. And while I have to laugh at the fact that Bob Barr is the best candidate they have had in, well, probably their entire history. I think its time people like me start making their voice heard. Especially in states where your particular vote wont matter. I for example live in a Red State. And If I in no way wanted Obama to be my president, then I know it wont happen because my state votes him in. If you are in a similar situation, then I encourage you to do the same.

So here's what I want:

1) I want the Democrats to get closer to the middle, economically speaking anyway. Stop enabling the welfare junkies. They are not helpless, people emerge from the gutter every day and if most of them paid attention in school and were responsible citizens they would not be in the gutter still.

2) I want the Republicans to stop pandering to the Religious Right. I believe in God and am a Christian, but I don't believe that the world was actually created in 7 days and that Noah's Ark will ever be found. I don't believe that man walked with the dinosaurs 4000 years ago. And if my kids watch Harry Potter they won't become minions of Satan. God gave us a brain folks, let us em. I love Science. I think it is a highly valuable tool used to understand the Universe God created and what makes it work. Evolution explains how He made us from the earth in his own image. But I still respect those who don't believe that there is a God, and we can sit down and talk about the Big Bang Theory together because as two educated adults we both understand and respect Science.

3) Abortion is NOT a matter of National Security. Both of you (parties) SHUT UP, and leave it OFF your political platforms. Let's talk about people who are dying in Africa, lets talk about Al-Qaeda's threat to Western Culture. There... thats my view on the matter, and its the last time I'll touch it.

4) We have a right in this country to Freedom. We do NOT have a right to safety. We live in a free society among like minded people and we should have a right to express our selves in any way we want. And we should have a right to do anything we want. We should NOT be limited in either capacity because the Government has decided they need to ensure our safety. The more they do that, the faster George Orwell will be spinning in his grave. Our great grandparents didn't come here because it was safe, they came here because of the opportunity. A governmental tightening Security does not equal Opportunity.

5) I want BOTH Parties to fight for environmentalism and responsible energy usage. I think T.Boone Pickens is saying it best these days. Please go to his web site.

6) I want the Republicans to return to supporting State's rights and fiscal responsibility. I'm happy to see them not support the Bailout. But I'm disappointed to see how 8 years of Bush's presidency meant astronomical spending. "No Child Left Behind" is an example of a farce of a program and a policy NO Republican should be proud of. It wreaks of socialism. Every parent has a choice where to send their child to school. You either choose to live in a bad local school district or you choose not to. You choose to live in the 49th worst state for public education or you choose not to. Even the poorest in this country are able to move. You think the homeless guy on the corner of 21st and Main was born there? Why are there so many poor people in Florida? Because if I were going to be poor and miserable, I'd at least do it some place sunny.

7) I want the extremely Liberal Hollywood crowd to SHUT UP! Matt Damon... why don't you worry more about improving your acting skills than mouthing your political views on ABC. I mean, geez, I've seen statutes less stiff than you. If Matt, George Clooney and the rest really were smart people then they'd realize they really just piss off 50% of the people who could be spending money on their next movie. I mean I understand you are all artistic bleeding heart types, but you need to realize you don't speak for all of America.

So... There's more. But I think I've released the tension enough today and need to get back to work. Please let me know how you feel and I encourage intelligent discussion. I wont be replying to "You suck" or "Find a hole and Die" comments. But even the most extreme views are welcome and if you can bring some interesting views and facts I'm up for a chat.