Vertical Forest

I hate politics

Monday, February 4th, 2008

_Pol-i-tics_
plural noun
from the greek “poly”, meaning many, and “ticks”, meaning blood sucking insects.

I know this saying is overused (at least by me), but I still love it.

Tomorrow is the so called “Super Tuesday”, when who knows how many states hold their presidential primaries, including Colorado. And guess who is 18 in time to vote in the caucus? Yes, yours truly. And guess who has no clue which candidate to vote for? Yes, yours truly again.

Its not as if I can’t agree with any of the republican candidates, its more that I agree partially with some, and partially with others, but not entirely with any of them.

**Mike Huckabee**: Appears to be a very committed christian with whom I have a lot in common with morally, but not so much fiscally. He’s a nice guy, but not really very conservative in the classical meaning of the word, particularly in the area of [taxes and big government](http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8838). I can’t help but think he would be just another Bush, which I don’t want. He also believes in global warming and ethanol.

**Ron Paul**: About as radical as I would be if I was elected president, (ie: abolish everything), but without much of a chance of winning, and somewhat lacking in certain moral issues, that is if you believe in constitutionally banning gay marriage and abortion. I am also highly uncertain about his position on the war. If he was leading the poles, I’d vote for him in a second, but I’m not sure if giving him a “protest vote” is really going to accomplish anything.

**Mitt Romney**: Ok morally, although I’m a bit dubious of his pro-life stance because of his recent switch. Not what I would call a conservative fiscally, due to RomneyCare and support for agricultural subsidies. He apparently supports the “assault weapons ban” as well, which in my mind classifies him as a bit of a gunaphobe (as if a flash suppressor and a pistol grip really makes a gun any more capable of killing people). The more I read about him, the less I like.

**McCain**: Oh boy, lets not get into him, NO! Ok, I guess I should say something about him, but where to start? He support embryonic stem cell research, is against a federal ban on abortion or gay marriage, somewhat supports “hate” crimes and affirmative action, believes in global warming, and is, shall we say, extremely militant in the opinion of someone who just got their selective service papers a few months ago. I’d agree with him on education, gun rights, unions, and ethanol being stupid, but that’s about it.

So the choice for me is between a fiscally liberal, hopefully christian Huckabee, and the extremely conservative, yet most likely unelectable Ron Paul. Dang it, why isn’t George Washington running?