I’m glad your in a good place, where you can be open to all kinds of lifestyles. Oh, except Christian Fundamentalists

The point being, pedophilia’s definition is evolving. Try having this discussion with strangers and you will be labeled a pedophile, in their mind at least. All because you are trying to talk about a dangerous issue. Liberals want to talk, and that makes them villains. Conservatives want strong laws and harsh punishments to reinforce their definitions of right and wrong. Those are the two camps we can be thrown into. Liberal or conservative. If I have to mingle with a pedophile or two in order to avoid christian fundamentalists, it’s worth it to me.

That being said, I’m not a democrat. I’m for a candidate and party that wants to slow down economic growth and focus on sustainability, that wants to reduce military spending, put money into american schools, teach science not religion, teach art as much as math, teach music as much as english, there’s a whole list of hippy ideals I could lay on you, man. Legalize pot, prostitution and purses for men.

You know a lot more than me about economics and political players, so I appreciate your input, fer sure. And I live in a bubble of ultra-liberal san franciscans and “berkeley types”. I suffer the same fate as anyone, I start to believe what I hear all the time. I moved here because I wanted to believe in the message that floated back to me in new hampshire from the west coast. but that doesn’t mean i shouldn’t examine it and question it. so thanks for keeping me in line.

I lean left on social issues, as well. That’s not to say they’re my priority and so I generally sit right of center, overall. Have you ever heard someone try to argue against gay marriage? I’ve never heard a good argument, everyone ends up going with “What’s next, people can marry animals?” At the same time, truly welcoming alternative lifestyles implies you’re willing to accept every imaginable lifestyle. Can a pedophile be living an alternative lifestyle?

If a president’s policies show their affects after their first term, can we say the first four years of Bush are responsible for the last four years of our lives?

I am a social liberal, not a democrat. I think our country’s biggest and best promise is the one where we welcome alternative lifestyles. The pursuit of happiness, freedom of speech, asking for the tired and the poor, all kinds of hoopla they fed me in grade school social studies. I was born on the fourth of july, so I paid attention to that americana shit.

I don’t think Democrats are liberals, I haven’t heard anyone stand up for detainees in Guantanamo on the recent ticket. But they throw me a bone once in a while, so I ignore them for the most part. Enemies of my enemies, I guess.

That’s all I can think about right now. I’m tired.

Anyhow, if you really want to profess your love for me, come down to the Venetian some time between November 16th and 19th. I promise it will be just like last year only, instead of coughing up water all over the craps tables, I will cough up blood.

Does this presidential race feel any differently than electing the student body reps in high school? I think the reason that we rarely elect senators to be president is that they’re almost impossible to evaluate. What history do you have beyond a voting record (which is easy to spin in either direction)? The nature of the work is considerably different than that of the executive branch. This race is basically a popularity contest and I believe it will be decided by:

1. Inherent political bias
2. Perceived social accomplishments
3. Peer pressure
4. How well the candidates talk in front of a camera

I think the only way to answer the question is to try and find real substance in their plans. Energy independence in 10 years sounds great but, unless you read the plan, how do you know it’s not a bullshit pipe dream? Any plan to fix the economy is bullshit by default. The market is like the weather, these days. Just sit back and watch it happen and hide in the basement if you need to.

*side note – doesn’t this economy swoon make you think that the real effect the president has on the economy is maybe 4-8 years out from his/her term? This is Clinton policy we’re drowning in, today. That’s not to say GWB didn’t jump on that home ownership horse and ride it to the finish but the lending stuff is so out of control. In Wisconsin, the state was backing loans from banks at subprime rates to illegal immigrants!!! Can someone explain to me what motivation an illegal has to stick around and make mortgage payments when times get tough? I think that the barometer for how out of control the lending process got in this country.*

Bottom line, don’t let anybody tell you what to think, politically. The American Association of Corn Growers wants me to believe that 15% Ethanol in gas is saving me money? Who the fuck are they kidding? Rolston wants me to believe that Republicans are evil and liberals have it right? Where’s he getting his info from? You have to go to the source. NY Times says the FISA amendments are stripping away your civil liberties? Don’t believe it. Read the bill and then decide. Trust no one. Not Dan Rather, not Sean Hannity, no one (especially not me).

Rolston, if you reincarnated your 1988 platform for president, I would vote for you, in the same spirit that I voted for you then: cynisism. I think the rest of America is a little to deep in this to get on board, though.