From supporter to having no confidence in either candidate

As I sit here today contemplating what I will be doing on November 6, 2012, I am reminded of the presidential election of 2004. There was this incumbent who was oh so vulnerable and capable of being beaten if only the opposing party had the right cadidate in place.  It is so interesting how history repeats itself.

In 2012, like 2004, the political party’s candidate seeking to become the president of the United States is in the driver’s seat for the most part and placed in the enviable position of the race being his to lose.

One would think that the Republican Party would have learned from the debacle that was the Democratic Party’s misstep eight years ago. However, in the end, what has been trumpeted to the voters is a candidate in which far too many people are unsure of investing a vote. Many do not want to see another four years of President Obama, which is no different for the electorate that did not think they would have seen another four years of Bush II beyond November 2, 2004.

As a supporter at some point of both of the major party candidates seeking the presidency in 2012, I am at a complete loss as far as these two men being the best choices available. By the mere fact that one of them is the incumbent, that speaks for itself, but the Republican Party really dropped the ball. They ended up having to settle, while overlooking  people that could have been more formidable. It is not for me to say that the race is over, but with 52 days left before we go to the polls, this has been one of the most uneventful, uninspiring and boring election seasons ever. Thing is, it is as if the election is being handed to the Democrats on a silver platter.

I recently said to someone that I was going to write in the name of various people that I feel are worthy of every contested position that will appear on my ballot. But knowing that will spoil my ballot, I will not do that. However, I have decided that I will not be voting for either candidate for president. As recently as a week ago, I was solidly behind Mitt Romney, but I have come to realize that he is not ready to become the leader of the free world. He was a candidate four years ago for the very same position, but has failed to become a better candidate four years later. The same can be said of the incumbent, but it is always the sitting president’s race to lose.

As far as the support that I had for Barack Obama four years ago, it waned quickly. I was very critical of the ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’ because it was never defined, but most bought the rhetoric hook, line and sinker. Of course, it did not help that the outgoing president was seen as a disaster and the opponent brought along a train wreck in the name of Sarah Palin. Ironically, that so-called change was nothing more than the same old thing.

From the many appoinments being old faces in new roles to continuing on with many of the same Bush policies,  President Obama became the symbol of the proverbial status quo. Iraq: nothing changed with regard to what Bush started. Afghanistan: nope, nothing new there, but there was an increase of what was started by Bush. The blinded want to say that his bailout of the auto was the best thing since sliced bread, while neglecting the fact that he also increased the bailouts of the banks. And about those Bush tax cuts: well ‘Mr. Change’ signed a renewal of those things for the wealthy and corporations.

Then there is that bs being sold to the electorate with regard to his pandering of the Hispanic community; folks, this president deported more immigrants than even Bush II. Also worth noting is that for all the unemployment that is a constant in so many communities, ‘Mr. Change’ is the very pPresident that signed the bill eliminating extended unemployment benefits while unemployment has remained above 8% throughout his tenure.

Some are calling him one of the best president’s in their lifetime, but I for one will never judge a sitting president’s legacy until he is out of office.  The aforementioned are but some of the reasons why there is no way that I could cast another vote for President Obama. Folks, please spare me the excuse that all politicians make a promise or two that they will never live up to. Thing is, elections are more about people and their blinded allegiance to political parties, when it should be about making the best decision possible.

I am at peace with the decision that I have come to with regard to the presidential candidates from the major political parties. I also find it interesting that though I am able to point out how sad and pathetic things are with regard to who is available to get the electorate’s vote, everything trickles down to the sad sack of candidates vying for an office in the House and the Senate. The approval ratings of those seeking re-election is as low as ever, but many of them will be returned to jobs that they are not doing in the first place.

I am no different than the average Joe/ Jane with regard to apathy, but I do take pride in the fact that I try to stay as informed and educated on the issues as much as possible so that I can make an educated decision on Election Day. Enough of just going through the motions and giving my vote to someone who has in no way earned it. I am at a point where there is nothing that could be said from the mouths of either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney that would change my mind. And for all the wannabe pundits and loyal supporters of the candidates, you can save your breath as well. Do not think that you can change my mind if the candidates themselves would not be able to.

For the record, I will be voting on November 6, 2012, because politics are local and my voice will be heard at the local, county, and state levels. It is my lacking confidence in the two slugs seeking the presidency where I will not be casting a vote.