On Starting a 2012 Journey

Yes, a new year has started, but none of us know what tomorrow will bring – then again, some can say that tomorrow never comes.

Life is not only a journey, it is a journey with many vehicles available – thus one of the factors determining our encounters is our choice of vehicle. This week I want to start the year with journeys on different vehicles. Well, it’s a way of doing something different before returning to my routine.

The sky provides many wonders. Enjoy this camera work from a part of Oregon that many may not realize – its desert.

On Starting 2012

Traditions of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day vary from culture to culture and person to person. Through a variety of cultural traditions, community celebrations, private parties, and personal quiet time, humanity ushers in 2012 on a positive note.

Realistically, and like any other year, for each of us 2012 will deliver a variety of ups and downs – some expected, but others not. May 2012 bring you more joys than sorrows – more thrills than chills – more positives than negatives.

It’s a Wonderful Life is a great movie about life. May each of our lives be like George Bailey’s – one that is surrounded by good people in our day-to-day life. After all, positive interactions with positive people are powerful. Happy New Year everyone … and thanks for being one of my positive forces.

On a Political Mood

Close observers know I post my share of political commentaries. Then again, those same people may have noticed that I have not posted on the politics in a few weeks. Let me set the stage.

• I will vote in the Ohio Republican Primary
• As a centrist (moderate independent), I was leaning toward John McCain, but selecting Sarah Palin closed the “not so” deal (My 10/01/2008 explanation)
• Nope, I did not vote for President Obama, thus leaving that part of my ballot blank
• My tendency is that no matter the party affiliation, I hope our president is successful
• Ever since the 2008 election, the action of the GOP has pushed me away
• The current slate of Republican candidates is (at best) a sorry bunch
• I have not tortured myself by watching any of the televised Republican debates, but have stayed informed
• To no avail, I cautioned the Democrats in 2008 and the Republicans in 2010 about misreading the election results and overreaching

As a swing vote, especially one in a swing state, each party wants my vote so they can declare their version of a voter mandate; however, they do not want my policies. The Democrats do not want ideas from a fiscal conservative and the Republicans do not want to hear from socially liberal ideas.

Election 2012 is shaping up as another battle of the ideologies. I have often said that current slate of candidates embarrasses traditional Republicans. Although some will also say that they will vote for President Obama in 2012, I know that most of them will still vote for the Republican candidate because that is what they do.

I know it’s still relatively early, but where does all this leave me? Although everyone must be cautious when saying never, but the chance of me voting for the GOP candidate for president in November 2012 is very slim. After all, what are the odds that the Republican will nominate a sensible slate?

On the other hand, the odds are much better than I will cast a vote for President Obama. Maybe not so much in support of the Democratic party, but as a vote against the Republicans and their obstructionist, too-far-to-the-right ways … and of course, at the expense of helping the Democratic party misread the voter mandate.