Today I want to make a post about something I thought I wouldn’t ever feel so strongly about: politics.

A few years ago, I would have considered myself completely apathetic about politics in general. Today I look back at my naïve attitude and realize that all too often this same apathy I felt is the same reason our country is currently in the shitter. Although I wasn’t old enough to vote in the 2000 election, I definitely didn’t ever support George W. Bush. Yes, that’s right, I disliked Bush before it was cool. Call me unpatriotic. Actually, according to the definition (dictionary.com says, “showing lack of love for your country”, I suppose that would not be true at all. In fact, I can’t see it as anything but showing love for my country.

Most Americans are so hungry for a change. In the past 8 years, our apathetic country has progressively become more aware of the corruption that we call The Bush Administration. I too am ready to focus on the future and what is in the best interest of the planet as a whole. I want all of the positive changes promised by our presidential candidates, but who is the “best” choice?

First of all, let’s all take a moment to be thankful for the fact that we even are able to vote. Imagine being brought up in a country than not only did not have your best interest at heart, but also you had no say in the matter, no opinion, and you better not show your opposition. Thank you, beautiful democracy. And I certainly would not describe myself as a total feminist, but it is so important to acknowledge the history of a woman’s voting rights. Women were not even allowed to vote until 1920. That really isn’t so long ago. Women that petitioned for their say near the White House were imprisoned and treated as less-than-scum to be “taught a lesson”. Here is a great article for more details about why it is important for women to exercise their voting rights.

Second of all, how do we decide who is the “right choice”? Between John McCain and Barak Obama, who can bring the best to the table? Which party can bring the best administration as a whole, from the individual supporters to the promises that they are making us? First, we must decide what is in the best interest of our country. We in fact need this positive change. Do you really want 4 to 8 MORE years of the Same Shit, Different Day Syndrome?

Discussing the candidates themselves would be another entry altogether. But, please, acknowledge the importance of voting and consider what matters to YOU. I encourage you to exercise and embrace your right to vote. It’s easy! (haha - can you tell we are on Letter E at Gymboree this week?)

The moral of the story is: if you don’t vote, I don’t want to hear any of your bitching!

And, just for giggles, here is a “Politically Correct Dictionary”.

Happy Friday!