I guess, the follow up question to my previous post about the possibility of becoming a Citizen so that I could vote is: "Who would I vote for?"

The answer at the moment is a resounding "I don't know" . This is despite studying American politics for the last 9 years. One, would think, with my general political activity over the years back in England (out lined briefly in my previous post) that I would be a natual fit for the Democratic Party. This may end up ulitmately correct, but, to be perfectly honest if I could have voted (this is hypothetical as I never had to put it in to practice) I would have voted for Bush. The reason for saying this is the absolute weakness of, in my opinion, two awful candidates the Democrats put forward. Both, came across confused, clueless and ultimately were hypocritcal in many ways. Bush, whilst philosophicaly the opposite to me at least (at the time) came across more assured consitent and left no doubt where we stood. Like, I said, if it came to it could I have voted for a Conservative? I really do not know.

I guess the cruz of my uncertainty is essentially that both parties (and I know if any Democrats or "Liberals" happen to come across this they will hate this statement) are Conservative. At least economically. From everything I have observed all references to "equality", or "fairness" etc.. are just statements without the substance to back it up. Getting lectured by Millionaires like Kerry, Gore, Michael Moore etc.. on such things, with such hypocrosy rub my the wrong way. On the other hand, at least they to talk about it. They are just as much Conservative Capitalists as the other party. Also, their Liberalism is not the Liberlism of the greats. There Liberalism is essentially to ethical issues such as abortion for example. Liberalism is freedom, is the right of people to make their own decisions, the right of individual States, for example, to plot their own course, in many ways it is Federalism. It got lost in the translation. The centerlisation that the Democrats are proponants off is very pale image of Socialism. Now, you can see why I am not certain. The party where I should naturally be inclined to vote for are too Conservative economically, Morally and ethically in most cases misguided and organisationally choose one of the worst aspects of Socialism.

On the other hand the Republicans. In most cases one word greed can sum them up. Right wing Conservatism at the worst. Look after yourself and screw the rest. However, in decentralisation I agree with a more Federal and free approach.

I always said that I would never vote Conservative. If I was back in England I would certainly not vote Labour at the moment as they have gone to far to the right with Tony Blair and away from their roots. So, as both parties here are essentially Conservative what am I going to do? At the moment who knows, but, I will listen read, study and make a decision based on which candidate meets more of things I agree with than the other. It may come to a list and the one with most ticks wins.

Time will tell.....

I realise these are very sweeping and general statements and there are many, many people who are members of these parties who exceptions to these very brief and incomplete observations. More of an impression and explanation of where I am at now. Obviously there is no room or I do not have the time to go into each issue individually.


-Richard