Louisville, Ky - They say we get the leaders we deserve. So, by that mode of thought, we 'deserved' George W. Bush. If he actually won the 2000 election (which I doubt) then we deserve what came from that decision. War. Economic collapse. Further political division. Social regression. Intolerance.

Kentucky has been re-electing Sen. Mitch McConnell for so long, I worry that the people remember how to vote for anyone else. The race is much tighter than anyone expected, and Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford has been a nice surprise in some ways. As a matter of fact, I feel like I need to take back some of the things I have said/thought about him. Even if he doesn't win, he's fought a great race, and for that we should be thankful.

We fought back, and threw off the rancid Anne Northup, and her rubber-stamp. Then again. And now, again. Rep. John Yarmuth has accomplished at least as much in his single term in the House as Northup did in more than a decade. Ketucky's collective memory is starting to become a longer one. Pretty soon, we'll be a full-on, blue-state...again. Is this a good thing or not? Do we deserve leaders who govern "for the people" rather than Exxon? The Democrats aren't perfect...but compared to this batch of Republicans...it's easy to forget that sometimes.

Part of my brain is still surprised that we didn't get a blatant "Bush Sedition" act.

So...do we deserve a different direction? Do we deserve a liberal President? Or do we literally deserve more of the same? Have we grown out of the "have a beer with the guy" politics?

That idea is what wrecked the last 7 years. We need competent leaders. We need extra-ordinary leaders. We need leaders who are above the rest of us. Smarter. Better educated. Wiser. Republicans like to point out to anyone who'll listen that "America is the greatest nation on Earth". If that's so...shouldn't we also have exceptional leadership?

Americans are afraid of smart people. They didn't want to "have a beer" with John Kerry. He reminded them of a cross between Herman Munster and their high-school algebra teacher. He's rich. Ultra-educated. And sounds like it. Hence...no Presidency for you! And look at the results it produced. Had a look at the stock market lately? Had a look at the national debt, lately? If you're reading this, are under 30 years old, and plan to have children...THEIR children will still be paying off this debt. Is anyone worried that our nation might actually be in a state of decline? We may be on the way out as a super-power. This would return the planet to a state very similar to the pre-WW1 era. And, yes, this scares me.

Do we deserve a President Obama? Do we deserve a new direction for the country? Do we deserve the reforms that a Democratic administration would bring? Do we deserve the reverse of the last 7 years, for the next 4? I don't think Sen. Barack Obama is going to be able to fix everything left broken by Bush 2, but I believe it to be a step in the right direction.

This really is the most important election of our lifetime. Any of us. At best...Barack Obama will be a second FDR. At worst...Bill Clinton. Either way, we'll be in a much better place 4 years from now, than the place we find ourselves in. Sen. John McCain can still win this election, ruining all we have fought for, ruining all we have worked for...EVERYONE needs to get off the couch for this one. Too much is on the line.

Generations will feel the repercussions of this vote. Make it a good one.

-Chuck

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