To Vote or Not to Vote: Am I really asking that question?

I grew up in a house dedicated to appreciating the government and taught to always play an active role in electing our leaders by going to the polls for every election. I have voted in six general elections, two presidential elections and several local contests. The right to vote is what democracy is based on, empowering us to know that our vote will make a difference and that we have a direct voice in who will manage the affairs of the country. Why then do I feel so removed from this election season? Besides the obvious (that I am living on the other side of the world), there are two main reasons why I am far more ambivalent than at any time in the past: pessimism and confusion.

Today is Super Tuesday in the states, the day when there may (or may not) become a clear front-runner for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations. Anyone who knows me or any member of my family, knows that we bleed Democrat blue. Dad is out stumping for Obama in SC and is convinced that he will make the next great President. Paula and Mom are also supporting Obama while Robin (when I last spoke to her) was undecided. Where do I stand? Confused.

First, let me explore my pessimism. I am somewhat convinced that no matter who wins the Democratic nomination, this person will lose to the Republicans. It looks like John McCain is going to get his party's nomination and somehow the Republicans will very effectively scare much of the country into thinking that the Democrats are weak on matters of national security. He will run on a centrist platform that will swing the election the Republicans' way. Let's ignore the fact that our country is far worse off today than it was when Bush took over in January of 2001. Somehow the Republican machine will put out its message and the Democrats will lose. (Full disclosure: the only American news channel that I get here is Fox News and it scares me every time I watch it... the O'Reilly Factor is terrifying... this probably accounts for much of my pessimism, knowing that this is the most popular news channel in the states. How it can be categorized as a 'fair and balanced' news channel is way beyond me.)

Now to the confusion. I simply don't know who I want to win for the Democrats. I'd very happily support Hillary or Obama. For my absentee ballot, I will have no problem marking either of their names to be the next President and hopefully turn the US around. For the primary though, I'm just not sure. I'm probably leaning towards Obama simply because I want to see a new name in the White House. For two decades someone named Bush or Clinton has occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and it's time to have another family lead the world. The Constitution wasn't written for monarchies or lords or ruling families, so it's time to put an end to it. If lil' brother Jeb ever intends on running, I hope he'll remember that the world will be better off with him staying in Florida.

So my wandering/wondering piece will now come to this conclusion: On Thursday (I am voting as part of the national Democratic primary so it doesn't matter that I didn't vote absentee in GA) I will be going to vote for Obama and also registering absentee to vote in the general elections in November. Sorry that it has taken me so long to post again in my blog... I will try and do better:)