I usually don't pay much to politics.  I suppose part of it could be apathy.  But I try to do my part whenever I can... like forwarding PPA emails to my congressmen, etc.  But politics seems so retarded.  A big part of it is that I just don't think very highly of politicians.  I suppose it started from an early age.  Most of the people I've met who ran for student government weren't the brightest people around.  Usually it's the more social people doing something to get into college because their grades sucked.  They would go around on platforms of "no homework," "longer breaks" and other retarded things that they had no intention or ability of ever stepping up on.  Funny how things don't change much as they get older.  Small sample size and gross generalization, I know. 

And whenever I watch a debate, it's not like anyone ever says anything enlightening.  On any issue, I think most reasonably intelligent people can figure out what the pros and cons are.  Watching two dudes banter back and forth on their one-sided views is such a complete waste of my time.  Gives me a headache to be honest.  I don't make it a point to watch the Special Olympics, so I don't watch politicians.

But for my interest rate trading newsletter, I have to keep up somewhat because they do have an effect on the economy.  But I keep it to a minimum.  Last week, I was watching the Tonight Show and Ann Romney came on. 

As a background, I'm a registered Republican.  Having lived in a big welfare state (New York) for most of my life, it's really disgusting how high the taxes are.  And those taxes are being used to subsidize programs that disincentivises people from looking for work and incentivises them to have even more kids to collect more money.  Sadly an unreasonably high percentage of that money is used for frivolous things like hair weaves and french manicures.  I'm not being racist.  Being part of the Korean community means you see tons of people in the underground cash economy that reports very little income (and pays little taxes), and find ways around the system to still collect food stamps, medicaid, and other benefits.  I'm all for helping your fellow man, but there need to be some stringent limits.  In my experience, bigger government is never better - do you really want to entrust a government worker with more money and more responsibility?!?  But I'm all for more spending when it comes to things like education.

New York is a heavily liberal state, so another reason I like moving to Texas is just to be with my peeps.  I haven't really been following the election much.  But that Ann Romney interview really disgusted me.  She was saying how Mitt turns off the hot water heater whenever they leave the house and they sometimes have to take cold showers because they forget to turn it back on.  My bull-shit meter went through the roof.  Seriously?  That's what you came up with to downplay how much money you have and that you're like regular folks?  First of all, having money is nothing to be ashamed of.  Secondly, regular folks don't turn off the hot water heater because that shit only costs like $30 a month.  Maybe if you were "regular folks," you would know something like that.  And she just sounded so phony in the rest of the interview.  I know Mitt is a completely different person, but considering some of his other political gaffes, I can only assume that old saying about birds of a feather.

Even though I don't agree with Obama on many things, at least he and Michelle seem like a fun couple and people I can hang out with without casuing a gag reflex.  So as much as I hate to do it, I'm going to have to vote democrat for the first time in my life...  that's pretty sad, because the bar was set so low after I voted for George Bush Jr. TWICE!  And it all goes back to the Special Olympics.  Sometimes, the little retard that touches your heart may not be the one you started off liking.  Seriously, in a country of 300 million people, why is it so hard to get TWO qualified people to run for its most prestigious office?!?

[x] Disgusted Republican
[ ] Future Democrat
[x] Violated Cardinal Rule of mixing poker and politics
[?] Once you go black, you never go back
[?] Once you go Barack, you never go back
[:-)] Once you go Asian, you never to back to Caucasian