Well…. As you can see, I haven’t been blogging for the past couple of months.
I’m a liberal, but not an unquestioning Democratic partisan. I generally support pragmatism over extreme ideology. I often agree with Democratic Party goals in principle, but often do not agree with their priorities or their complete agenda. I vote for Republicans, on occasion. While I read radical web sites from both sides of the aisle, I believe most Americans are oriented closer to the political center (despite the fact that we elect more ideologues these days).
I’m a bona fide “political junkie.” But I’m far more interested in thinking about governing than in thinking about the election process.
I want to write about my thoughts. I’d prefer not to get caught up in the daily epithets I hurl at the TV. But, if I’m writing daily, the things that attract my interest (approval, rage, disdain…) are the things in front of me. I didn’t start blogging until Obama clinched the Democratic nomination to try to avoid getting caught up in the Hillary-Barack wars. And I’d just as soon this election were over today, rather than 5 weeks from now.
I’m skeptical about much of what I hear and read, but I try very hard not to be cynical. Particularly when it comes to people with whom I disagree, I try to think through my emotional reactions and to understand why they hold their particular beliefs and whether I might be wrong. I choose to believe that most people hold their beliefs just as firmly as I hold mine, and that they are generally telling the truth (with some broad exceptions during campaign season), unless they prove otherwise. That can be viewed as naive or unrealistic; I would argue the opposite.
I have supported Senator Obama for President for over 3 years. I knew from the beginning that if he were to be elected, he would do and say things that I disliked. And he has. But I have become convinced that it’s critical for me, my family, my town, my country and the world that we elect Barack Obama as the next President.
That said… even if few read what I write, I need to make the effort again.
Welcome (back) to Postleft.com!