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Sentinel Lunchtime Blog: Why care until they pinpoint my choices?
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Four years ago I did my patriotic duty and voted in the 2004 presidential election. It was my first time and I, like many others, voted based on hot-button issues I had strong, personal opinions on. My candidate lost.
This year, I’ve been trying to keep up with the hundreds of stories inundating our Associated Press wire concerning the 2008 presidential election in order to be more “informed” in my decision-making process. But I can’t help but think, why am I paying such close attention to the 13 plus candidates when, ultimately, I’ll only have to decide between two?
Sure, I should vote for my favorite in the Pennsylvania primaries, but I’ve read stories, too, saying our state’s late election date probably won’t mean a whole lot in deciding the parties’ candidates. So, tell me, why should I care?
Last week I was perusing my favorite nonsense news Web site when I came across a quiz claiming to be able to tell me the candidate I should support. It says Hillary Clinton is the woman for me.
But what if Hillary doesn’t make it? What do I do then?
And how, exactly, did this quiz decide I should vote for her, considering all the candidates seem so similar to me? Isn’t the point of a Democratic and Republican party that the members have similar viewpoints? So, really, isn’t my decision, ultimately, going to be between the two parties anyway?
My philosophy on the election is why bother until I actually know who is in the running? When it comes down to one Democrat and one Republican, then I will really pay attention and decide, OK, this is the person for me.
Maybe that’s a lazy point of view. I’m sure political enthusiasts out there will berate me for not caring enough about my country. I should vote in the primaries and say this is who I want to be one of the “real” candidates. This is who I want to represent my party.
But I don’t have a party. Sure, I lean to one side, but that doesn’t mean I’ll always vote for that party. Like I said, I vote on the issues.
And frankly, at least I’m voting at all. I could say I’m sick and tired of hearing about these stupid elections, of all the mud-slinging and gossiping. Who cares if Hillary cried? Who cares if Obama was ever a Muslim? And it’s sad he should have to fight a stupid rumor so hard just because he’s hitting the Bible Belt.
Since when did religion become so important in politics? If I recall my high school American history class, I do believe there is a thing called separation of church and state. Or maybe I’m making that up. But, really, that’s a different lunchtime blog.
My point is, I will vote and that’s what matters. I can’t say I have a viable solution for not caring about the primaries, and, if anyone out there has a valid reason of why I should care, I’m more than happy to listen.
For now, I’ll just read the headlines and wait until September when the real campaign begins.
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Lunchtime Blog
We plan to be here every weekday at lunch between noon and 1 p.m. to take a look at what's going on in the news and what we have planned for our newspaper and Web site.
Feel free to offer any suggestions, questions or feedback to jpratt@cumberlink.com
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This morning's most-viewed stories on www.cumberlink.com:
1. Three county residents hurt in crash
2. Steeler's girlfriend charged in standoff in suburban Pittsburgh
3. Police arrest man for robbery at knife-point
4. W. Pa. woman accused of beating sister with prosthetic leg
5. Erie County man dies when snowmobile hits snowplow
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This morning's most-emailed stories on www.cumberlink.com
1. Man charged in shooting
2. W. Pa. woman accused of beating sister with prosthetic leg
3. Looking for reservoir paybacks
4. IAC pares 85 more
5. South Middleton homeowner faces assault, drug charges
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Yesterday's most-viewed stories on www.cumberlink.com:
1. Three county residents hurt in crash
2. Police arrest man for robbery at knife-point
3. Police reports
4. Shippensburg pride goes to Green Bay
5. Cumberland GOP can't decide on Nailor's seat
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Yesterday's most-emailed stories on www.cumberlink.com
1. Shippensburg pride goes to Green Bay
2. Police arrest man for robbery at knife-point
3. Women's College Basketball: Kean gets the best of Messiah again
4. Three county residents hurt in crash
5. Temperature to drop to single digits tonight, still cold for Monday
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This weekend's most-viewed stories on www.cumberlink.com:
1. South Middleton homeowner faces assault, drug charges
2. Police: Victim shot over whispering
3. Man charged in shooting
4. An all-natural approach to Carlisle deer herd
5. Carlisle police seek information on thefts (breaking news)
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This weekend's most-emailed stories on www.cumberlink.com
1. South Middleton homeowner faces assault, drug charges
2. South Middleton homeowner faces assault, drug charges
3. Martha's Place on the block
4. Cumberland County Commissioners give Byrne unpaid leave of absence
5. An all-natural approach to Carlisle deer herd
