Not Before Coffee

Isn’t exercising the right to vote important enough to invest time into making sure you’re making the absolute best and most informed decision you can?

I’ve not been a fan of McCain since 1998 – that’s another story for another day.  I’d never waste my vote on McCain nor would I waste it on Obama.  Those two men are frightening.  At least with Hillary, we have a sense of familiarity with her and her ways.  And for Hoosiers especially, if she were to tap Bayh as her running mate.  Doesn’t it make sense in a time of such crisis that we’d opt on the side of caution rather then the side of the unknown?

It seems like my own county is and has been 99% conservative for so long that they forget there are actually choices that can be made.  It’s almost as if the conservative vote is automatic – I believe that’s strongly supported by the fact that very few brave the risk and run on the democratic ticket.  I have to wonder how many on the conservative ticket are closet liberals or moderates.  It’s so bad that, in many cases, Democrats have no choice but to vote for the Republican candidate or not vote at all.  If I don’t know the candidate, am not familiar with their position and work, I choose not to vote rather than take what’s there.

I’m relatively new to the whole political arena, having only voted in one election.  In this short of time, I do however, believe strongly in doing my homework before voicing my opinion – regardless of what the topic might be.  I don’t vote what my buddies vote – I don’t vote a straight ticket – and won’t ever cast a quick easy vote just to say I voted and snag my right to bitch.  I vote in a well thought out, well informed manner and believe everyone should.

Shouldn’t they?

Are you an informed voter?  What are some of your favorite resources for checking on candidates prior to voting?  Or do you opt for the easy voters way out and vote a straight ticket based on the fact that you are and have always been a liberal or conservative?