Let me be frank here. I do not claim to be a Democrat, I do not claim to be a Republican. In fact, my Maricopa County voting ID card states I am a registered Independent. I'm a registered Independent because there are Republican ideologies and policies that I agree with and there are Democratic ideologies and policies that I agree with. Therefore, I will only register to a party if I feel specifically so inclined to be able to vote in that parties primary because there is a candidate I hope to see succeed (yes, I am that big of a nerd).
Tonight however, I am disappointed in my fellow Arizona residents. Tonight, like so many election nights in the past, voters in Arizona had a chance to make a difference and instead, they settled for status quo, not even promises of change. In all of the campaigning this year, I heard nothing of things that our Governor, Congressmen, or Senators would do to make change for this state. In fact, all I heard was mud slinging. I heard of defaulted loans, broken promises, and other personal attacks, and little on why each candidate was qualified to do their job.
Tonight, my fellow citizens did exactly as they were told. They kept individuals in office who have had YEARS and YEARS to make change and dig Arizona out of a hole, and instead, they rebelled, and voted for anything but a democrat, because Democrats want big government and that's bad. This year, when Arizona voters went to the polls, they had one thought on their mind- immigration. And SB1070 would be repelled if a Democrat was elected.
Newsflash- SB1070 will go to the Supreme Court, and it will be repelled. If you have to ask why, read recent Supreme Court case decisions. A person can not immigrate to a state, and therefore a state does not have the ability to make an immigration policy.
This year, residents of Arizona should have focused on our failing education system (for those who aren't aware Arizona is now dead last in terms of education base lines across the country- that's right folks Alabama has even surpassed us). This year, Arizona residents should have also been concerned about our failing economy built around new home build and real estate- in 2010, not as great of a plan as in 2005.... And yet, no one was campaigning or debating these facts.
I hate to break it to you folks, but Arizona was a tool this year. That's right a tool. The republican party used this state and Jan Brewer (why this woman thinks she has a future is beyond me- think Sarah Palin- she's a pawn). They pushed 1070 to bring national attention to an issue that the "Big Government Washington Dem's" were failing at, to bring attention and bad light on them.
Well guess what folks- I hate to break it to you- but Obama's administration has been in office a whopping 2 years and immigration has been a HUGE issue for more then 2 years in this state... so for all of those people who feel that Obama is sucking it up at this issue- take a look in the mirror at former President George W. Bush, the all Republican Senate, and the all Republican House we had just a few short years ago- they sucked it up too.
My point? What everyone seems to be forgetting during all this mud slinging on left vs. right, is that less then a decade ago, the entire country got so sick of of democrats, they voted in all republicans. But guess what? 4 years later, they were sick of that, so they elected in a mixed house and senate with a republican President. Then they were so sick of the republicans they ousted them all and put in all democrats.
Now mind you- again, I am a registered Independent. I just get so sick of Republicans name calling Democrats and vice versa- because guess what, having all control under one party, is the quickest way to get yourself ousted from office- people get sick of it!
And voting for someone just because they're in you're party like a good ol' boys club- makes me ill.
I do give props to District 7 for ousting Harry Mitchell though, finally a group took a stand against someone who's again been in office for 40 years and made no significant changes for his peeps- and in comes a new guy promising change. That my friends is Democracy at it's finest.
Aaron and I are now looking for a new home in one of the other 49 states in the union... Arizona, I quit you.
