This is probably a mistake.

When I started blogging again, I thought I finally figured out the formula – “entertaining but lacking depth”. I’m entertained, you’re entertained (hopefully), and nobody (and by nobody, I mean me) gets their interwebz feelings hurt.
I’m going to break that – just this one time. Maybe. Sidebar – am I being presumptuous that my blog will have depth? Probably, but whatever.

Voting for Boobs
BigOne posted a blog about (I’m paraphrasing) how it’s dumb for people to vote for a candidate just because they’re female, or just because they’re black. I agree for the most part. But, that whole issue has been totally blown out of proportion and twisted. Couple reasons why I think this.

1. People have been voting on single-issue, single-criteria for a long-ass time. This is nothing new; it’s just wearing a new dress so-to-speak. The original single-issue voters are the Pro-Life/Pro-Choice people. Now the Pro-Choice voters, I can somewhat understand, if you’re planning on having a bunch of abortions you need to plan ahead to make sure you’re legal. The Pro-Life people can just choose to not kill their kids - problem solved, I’m a flippin genius. (Heavy sarcasm alert – I’m not going to “for real” touch the abortion issue - so chill). Point is, this voting practice has been largely accepted for a long-time now and it’s dumb too and should be subject of equal scrutiny. So let’s not pretend that voting for boobs (or insert any singular issue) is a new phenomenon.

2. Boobs and black skin are just the cherries on top. Most of the people that are/were excited to vote for Hillary, Obama, or Palin see gender/race as an added benefit – something more to identify with that candidate. They already agree with the candidate on the issues, think they have admirable character or are smart – whatever “acceptable” voting criterion is. Imagine if the next presidential candidate was a gamer and you were like, “dude, I’m so excited to vote for a gamer”. Is that fair to translate that into “I’m a douche only voting for someone because they have an Xbox”? Of course not. It’s just calling out what is “extra-special” about a candidate. So far, I have not heard anyone say I’m voting for X candidate because they’re a woman or are black and that is the only reason why. The MEDIA are the ones responsible painting this picture that people are running to the polls for ovaries and skin alone. See through it. People are bigger than their sound bites (byte? Both seem to work).

3. I won’t downplay the entire situation. I’m sure there are some people that are voting for Obama strictly because he’s black, McCain because he’s white, Obama because he’s DFL, McCain because his VP is female, and a whole host of other reasons that shouldn’t really matter. I’m sure there are people voting just to get an hour off work. So what? We own our votes and don’t have to explain or apologize for them even if they’re for “stupid reasons” as defined by whomever. And Big – I promise I’m not “calling you out”. I know you’re just stating your opinion, and that’s cool. You just inspired me to get mine down on blog…

Having said all that, I can’t quite explain how it is exciting to see women and a black man get this damn far in politics. It’s symbolic and inspiring. And admitting to that excitement does not make someone a crazy feminist bitch, sexist, or racist (not that they don’t exist). And I admit this with a little trepidation on this site because it seems like a lot of gamer ladies (in general, not just here) are quick to downplay their femininity (whole separate blog needed on that one). Maybe my husband's differing opinion on this subject really wouldn't be any different in the event he had never seen a white male president in his lifetime. Maybe I shouldn't be excited? I don't know. I'm just being honest.

Either way, I’m not going to vote one way or another because of boobs or black skin or even issues per se (that is succumbing to the belief that presidents have the power to change things). But I personally think this is one of the most exciting and historic elections ever. I can’t wait to see what happens over the next 60 days with these equally crazy Democrats and Republicans. You are all crazy you know.