Family discussions around politics

With an obvious undertone of political strife in America currently, my family has begun to boast opinions of which candidate is the best choice.
It's obvious now that as this election moves closer, we're probably going to have a lot more to say.

So far there were opinions about Sarah Palin:
Well, I think what I found interesting was her willingness to reallyput herself out there as a mother and wife, and not try to but that bellow her position as vice presidential candidate. I think she kind of has to do that though, because otherwise she would be faulted forbeing a "bad mother" or neglecting her family values.

What made me angry was that she was putting down Obama as a "community organizer" and making reference to that being a very insignificant role in America. I think it depends on how you look at it. She kept on making shout outs to "the people" and how she works for the "American People" but I kept wondering, what American people? She would bash Obama for wanting to increase taxes and government spending....but his desire to do so is based on trying to increase social services and eliminate social injustices, not just to "spend YOUR money" as she put it. I did make a personal observation that there were only 2 people of color (at least who I could see in the camera shots) in the audience...and almost every person they showed cheering was a(seemingly) white middle-high class American.

She also talked about energy, during which she expressed a need to become more independent from foriegn oil..which is good...what was bad though, was that she bashed Obama for not being willing to drill in the Alaskan tundra...she never once mentioned the detrimental affects this would have on the environment and habitat in that area and basically said, that this would be a big part of becoming independent from foriegn oil, along with building more Nuclear Power Plants, and then she kind of rattled off some more energy efficient ways of doing things(but clearly did not put an emphasis on them). I guess I'm an idealist maybe, but I feel as though this is the lazy way of dealing with the problem, while the more affective and environmentally friendlything to do is become less dependant on oil all together as a society.
And finally, she kept on referencing McCain's statement that "He would rather see himself lose an election that see his country lose a war." Which she believes makes him a patriot and a true strong American. I guess I just feel like at this point, being so aggressive is going to continue to dig us into a hole with the middle east and anywhere else we come in conflict with. I feel like there should be a more diplomatic approach to foreign policy in order to solve some of the major problems that have been created. - Amy Parker

Humorous opinions about choosing a candidate:
well, I've not been as many things as Mary Beth, but I'm voting for Obama cause I think we need a Muslim in the white house who can speak Arabic and find Osama faster by just asking his friends where he's hiding. And his wife is super cool, and his kids are irresistibly cute. I actually respect McCain, and respect you for having a different opinion, Mary Beth. Sorry you have to suffer through the constant liberal banter on half drunk...
and LONG LIVE OBAMA! -Ben Garvin

And some strong opinions about opposing the two party system:
Amy wrote:
“I have been trying to learn as much as I can about these
(unfortunately only two) choices I have for the leaders of our country
for the next 4 years.”

And as long as we behave the way we do, we will always have two choices. The GOP and the Dems, I think, love the left vs. right dichotomy. It allows the two party system to stay relevant and they can always stay in power, leaving money and influence to run our government, rather than the voters.
Mary Beth will vote for a candidate she is not crazy about this year(lesser of two evils I think was the exact quote), and four years ago almost every democrat and many independents voted for John Kerry using the exact same logic. That is so backwards.

We do have more than two choices. You have to take a bullet sometimes and vote for a third party candidate if you find one you believe in. I’ve been burned in the past. I voted for Jesse Ventura. I flushed my vote away voting for Ken Pentel and Peter Hutchinson. I had a friend get pretty peeved at me at a party because of my Hutchinson vote. “Thanks to you, Pawlenty is our governor” was his logic. My response is, “No thanks to your dumbass Democrat party, you take my vote for granted. If Mike Hatch is the best you can do, I’m going to look elsewhere.”
Outside of Kerry, I have always wanted to vote FOR someone, not against someone else. And I really struggled with my Kerry vote four years ago.

Check out the Independence Party of Minnesota. Listen to DeanBarkley’s interviews on KFAN or MPR (they’re podcasted). The guy captures every single frustration we all have about our present two party system. Coleman will not get my vote. He has no dignity. Franken might win my vote over when it’s all said and done, but right now I’m leaning towards whoever comes out of the IP primary forsenator.
Bottom line: until we, as voters, make a third party relevant (dare I say even a fourth party?), the GOP and Dems will keep acting the way they do. -Mike Nawrocki

At this point, I would like this to be a place...with no holds barred...to just discuss the many points and counterpoints that can lead each of us to our best decision.