I <3 Huckabee

Uh. Not really.

So much going on over here! Just a quick note, I'll catch up some more later - because I am currently reading several books that I can't wait to discuss - but with all of this Elections Bowl 08 hullabaloo (fun word. heh.) going on, I want to get a little something off my chest.

I can never read just one book.

To be honest, I’ve never followed politics as well as I should have. Two years ago, I went on a trip to work with immigrants to help them study for their citizenship test. I suddenly began to pay attention to the bills that were up for legislation, to realize the ability we have to talk to elected officials (or, okay, sign an electronic petition that gets sent to my email...). I am far from legislatively-inclined, but when I realize that a simple action can make a difference, I'm sure as hell gonna do it!

I've voted twice in the past 4 years - once for president and once for governor, etc. We can get into all sorts of debates about how much our vote actually counts, whether letting uninformed voters virtually choose our leader is the best form of governing, blah blah blah. It can get a little depressing, to be frank. I'm just enthralled by learning about our political processes and candidates and primaries. It's a sport, and these are the playoffs, baby! Last presidential election season, I had NOT A CLUE when primaries were in Ohio. It wasn't even a blip on my radar. Now - March 4th is the day Ohio gets to vote! (After Super Tuesday, so we'll see how much of a difference we make...)

I'm starting to realize that my values are really being reflected in the way that I think and vote. Just the other day, I was watching the Republican debate and Mike Huckabee (can we just talk for a second about how Chuck freakin' Norris is endorsing him!? haha. and how he plays guitar at his rallies. it's hilarious. my new reality tv!) said something about how we need to find alternative fuels to use to ship our food from around the country and around the world. Yeah, yeah - so they're all talking about that.

Then it hit me - why don't we talk about eating food that comes from around us? Then we wouldn't have to fret over the oil monopolies or pollution or local economy. Finding alternative fuels seems like a super hero for the environment kind of thing to do, but what about thinking local. Fix the disease, don't just put a bandage on it.