And So It Begins...

On the eve of the 2008 elections, I started this blog because, in part, I was so highly annoyed that Barack Obama was going to be elected our 44th President that I needed an outlet to vent. Here we are 2 years and 102 political blogs later, and we are on the verge of another power shift in Washington. This time, it's the Republicans who are poised to take over the House and maybe the Senate. They will gain Governor seats and pick up State offices all throughout the country. One would think I would be rejoicing at the good news of tomorrow, but I'm not.

Don't misunderstand me, I still believe Barack Obama and the Democrats are really bad for America. Their policies are damaging and their motives are unclear. Really, any change away from these guys should be a good one. However, I'm cautious because the Republicans were barely any better the last time they were in power. So, I'm going to sit back and be prepared to vote against the Republicans in 2012 if they get in there and act in a manner that reminds me of the Democrats in any way.

It's time for a fundamental shift in this country, and that isn't going to happen by electing the same old tired politicians year after year. One of the funniest commercials this election season is that of Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who has been in Washington since before I was born. This commercial is listing off all the problems with Washington, and then asking us to send Chuck back to fix them. To which I scream "Haven't you been there for the last 35 years Chuck?!!! What have you been doing?!!! You should be ashamed to run this commercial!"

It is for this reason that I think the Tea Party is really good for this country, though the Democrats and media surely disagree. The people running as Tea Party candidates are not career politicians. They are grandmothers, businessmen and women and ranchers who are fed up with politics as usual and are trying to do something about it. They know what it's like to live outside the political class and they see where this country is headed if things don't change. I am praying that as many Tea Party candidates as possible are elected tomorrow, and I'll be doing my part.

For the first time in my life as a voter, I'm doing a protest vote tomorrow. I'm not voting for any incumbents, save for my local state representative. I am voting 3rd party for Governor of Iowa and I am writing in a candidate for the US Senate. I know that my candidates won't win, but I'm tired of holding my nose and voting for the lesser of two evils. Tomorrow is the beginning of what I hope will be a fundamental shift in this country. I hope to see you all out there with me voting for real change...for a change.