On The Eve of the Primary...

It is nothing short of amazing that on the eve of my state's primary for the election of the next president of the United States, I still don't who I will vote for. This is unheard of... Of course it will be a Democrat but which one, Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton? For me, an astute and seasoned voter, to be this confused at the nth hour of the campaign is ridiculous. What's worse is that I am not alone...

A vote for Bernie is definitely a vote for the 99%, for We the People. A vote for Bernie is an anti-establishment vote, another vote for another stab at hope and change. Some call it a "protest vote". It definitely goes against the grain and sends a much needed message that We the People, the sleeping giant, are finally waking up to the power of our voice, therefore the power of our vote. A vote for Bernie is a challenge to status quo and sends a resounding message that while the 1% might have the money and the lobbyists, We the People, the 99%, have the vote! How empowering would it be for us, We the People, to finally absorb that concept. Oh Happy Day!!!

No matter your politics, it seems pretty difficult not to be impressed that for more than 20 years in Congress, despite the actions and undoubted pressure from lobbyists and his colleagues alike, Bernie Sanders has  managed to remain in office and reportedly has successfully rejected the enticement of accepting corporate money. He can freely campaign as a politician beholden only to We the People. We the People, like that. It is impressive and speaks volumes to his character and level of integrity. True politicians are not in the game to get rich. They don't lose sight that they too are citizens who will ultimately be subjected to the laws they pass. They are sensitive to and mindful of the task of legislating and respectful of the trust given them by their constituents. They value We the People and they value their work.  These are good and worthy characteristics that are buying Bernie Sanders a lot of political capital from We the People...

Voting for Hillary is no doubt a vote for lobbyists, status quo and the establishment as we know it. Unlike Bernie, over the years she, as seems typical of our elected officials, has chosen to accept corporate money which gives cause for pause to We the People. There is question if she will govern the will of the people or that of the corporations which mostly do not have the interests of We the People at heart. It is not their strong suit to work to achieve that which benefits or that which We the People want. As We the People feel less and less represented by our government, this is a HUGE problem for Hillary Clinton and leads to questions of doubt and trust. Of course, this is a problem...

Conversely however, while Hillary may be an establishment politician, she is seasoned, thick skinned, quick witted and a competent thinker. She will perform well and hold it together under pressure. Who of us was not impressed with her demeanor and unshakable disposition during her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the exaggerated email scandal. She is tried, true and cool under pressure. The "big boys" don't scare or intimidate her. This is an unknown for Bernie. How will he do under pressure? Can he withstand the ruthlessness and nastiness that he will surely receive during a campaign against the republicans? Can he/will he keep it together?  Being part of the establishment may not be such a bad thing for Hillary who will leverage her contacts. For Hillary, being part of a machine or the establishment, might serve We the People well...

Hillary's connections, relationships and shared politics with her peers will prove an asset as she maneuvers and bargains to get things passed through Congress . She can muster up old relations with lobbyists and her peers, who will all be on the same side to help her get the job done; be it good for the will of the people or bad... She will establish or reinforce old relationships necessary to fight to keep the Affordable Healthcare Act in place, to protect a woman's reproductive rights, but more importantly, to protect hard fought gains for civil rights and the like. Conversely, Bernie will be a lone soldier who will have a difficult time getting buy in from his peers, on either side of the aisle, who are mostly too intertwined with corporate America to advocate against their interests for the will of We the People. Now this is a shame. Expose them. Vote them out...

The dismal approval rating of Congress is undeniable proof that most Americans are not happy with our elected officials. Further proof however, is the insurgence and endurance of both Bernie Sanders and donald trump (forgive my pettiness, he is due as much respect as he affords others), supposed under dogs, in the presidential campaign. Both men are speaking to different sides of the same coin, giving their respective supporters cause for hope and change.

While each side of that coin would argue that his candidate's ideas are realistic and achievable, the truth is that because we are not a dictatorship, both men will have problems advancing his proposed agenda. trump can no more force the Mexicans to build a wall around their country AND make them pay for it and deport all Muslims from the US than can Bernie give the rest of us free education, a single payer health plan option and freedom from oppressive bank policies. So while casting a protest vote for Bernie and all he stands for might feel good and hearing his ideas might sound good, seeing them implemented ain't likely to happen, says the pessimistic side of me. The optimistic and rebellious side of me however says, certainly We the People will not see change if we don't bite the bullet give change a chance. It certainly will not happen if we are fearful to take the chance to make it happen... So do we join the millenials, throw caution to the wind and feel the Bern? Hopefully I will know when I awake...

Finally it is imperative that we the Democrats do not lose the White House. Bernie or Hillary, I do not care. It just cannot be any of the current republicans running for office who are hell bent on "taking their country back" or "making America great again". Scary propositions both. Too many gains have been made in civil and human rights over the years and more recently during President Obama's administration, to risk losing it all now. So which Democrat is more likely to beat which ever of the republicans who wins their primary, Bernie or Hillary?

While I firmly believe that the outcome of this election is an unknown, I fear that as Bernie has been tagged the ultimate socialist liberal, his candidacy will scare the hell out of the living and serve to resurrect dead coal miners and the like who will beat a path to the polls to vote. His candidacy will energize the republican base as much as would the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan. Democrats are not that motivated. Unlike the republicans who usually back their candidate no matter who, remember sarah, Democrats are more fickle and both sides are claiming they will sit out the election before they will vote for their candidate's opposition. Let's hope that is not true...  But I am pretty concerned that blue does not see the fervor of red to win this election. That is scary...

Again, too much to consider and how ridiculous that still I am so confused at this bewitching hour. Never have I been so undecided. This is such an important and sadly, unpredictable election. I will however, do my part and encourage you to do the same, to ensure that the best Democrat wins. See ya' at the polls Folks!

Goodnight...