I really don't want to spend much more time thinking about this election but with both conventions wrapped up, the moment calls for some comment.
I'm voting for Hillary.
I doubt this will come as surprise to anyone who's met me or read much of this blog but this isn't even close. I hear those who feel as though they cannot vote for Hillary because their views conflict with hers or they don't trust her or whatever. I find such arguments utterly unmoving. As Bernie himself once said, "On her worst day, Hillary is 1000 times better than Trump."
By now, the truth of those words must be obvious to anyone willing to look at the situation with clear eyes. The man has no shame, no sense of decency, and no ability to change. He is what he is.
If that was it, and his opponent was some random Democrat I would relish the chance to vote against him. I consider that act to be a powerful affirmation of everything I want this country to be and stand for.
But after Philadelphia I am increasingly comfortable not just voting for Hillary but supporting her. She has a character of stubborn resolve and tested commitment to the ideals I embrace. She has the experience and judgement to lead effectively. The convention she constructed embraces differences while seeking to project those values I consider to be the best of what we are.
Friends have cautioned me that a Hillary presidency will likely disappoint. So what? Barack Obama, a man I consider as close to my platonic ideal of an American president as I will see in my lifetime, still managed to disappoint me once or twice. I don't expect to agree with everything a president says or does. Ultimately, ideological purity is not my highest priority when voting for a leader. Their ability to lead does.
Compared to every single other major or second tier candidate, Hillary is best-prepared, most experienced candidate, and the one most reflective of the truest values of this country.
I'm voting for Hillary.
I doubt this will come as surprise to anyone who's met me or read much of this blog but this isn't even close. I hear those who feel as though they cannot vote for Hillary because their views conflict with hers or they don't trust her or whatever. I find such arguments utterly unmoving. As Bernie himself once said, "On her worst day, Hillary is 1000 times better than Trump."
By now, the truth of those words must be obvious to anyone willing to look at the situation with clear eyes. The man has no shame, no sense of decency, and no ability to change. He is what he is.
If that was it, and his opponent was some random Democrat I would relish the chance to vote against him. I consider that act to be a powerful affirmation of everything I want this country to be and stand for.
But after Philadelphia I am increasingly comfortable not just voting for Hillary but supporting her. She has a character of stubborn resolve and tested commitment to the ideals I embrace. She has the experience and judgement to lead effectively. The convention she constructed embraces differences while seeking to project those values I consider to be the best of what we are.
Friends have cautioned me that a Hillary presidency will likely disappoint. So what? Barack Obama, a man I consider as close to my platonic ideal of an American president as I will see in my lifetime, still managed to disappoint me once or twice. I don't expect to agree with everything a president says or does. Ultimately, ideological purity is not my highest priority when voting for a leader. Their ability to lead does.
Compared to every single other major or second tier candidate, Hillary is best-prepared, most experienced candidate, and the one most reflective of the truest values of this country.
***
Whew! With that off my chest, I'll also mention that the next chapter of my web fiction novel, "Agent Shield and Spaceman," is now available. The agents finally meet the final member of their team, the mysterious and vexing Agent D. Thank you for reading!
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