The Politics of a Developer

      I'm not here to tell you who to vote for, however if you're going to vote based on what some girl on the internet tells you you may as well listen to me. Why? Because I'm funny, that's why.

    It can be argued that there isn't much difference between the two parties. This is very true, and I myself don't affiliate myself with either. I do practice my right to vote. For all the things about our government that I disapprove of, the fact that we can vote to elect our officials is pretty cool. My grandmother's generation fought so that I can vote, therefore I take pride in the fact that I can do it.

  I mean, there really isn't a debate about which candidate is more computer savvy. Obama also supports tax breaks for companies that don't outsource. If you're voting as a developer it just isn't feasible to vote for a man who admits never being in front of a computer. However, some of you may be voting with your values, and that I can understand.

  The biggest thing that appeals to me about Obama has nothing to do with his qualifications to be president, though I think it contributes. The thing I adore is his unfailing idealism. I'll say it again unfailing idealism. Some may associate that with naiveté and inexperience, however, I maintain that it is part of the foundation of success. It's not the message of "change" that gets me. The word "Change" along with the phrase "Web 2.0" makes my ears bleed at this point. Its the idea that your dreams are possible, that hope isn't a weakness. Associating our emotions with manifesting our dreams and goals is a message I can stand behind. 

   This attitude is mistaken for weakness too often. I'm sure some of you are shaking your heads and rolling your eyes as I speak (or type). You probably think I am "young" and "just haven't learned what reality is yet"  I maintain that I have accomplished things uncharacteristic for my demographic. Why? Because I know I can.

   There are many discouraging things that come my way on a daily basis. I have failed, others have told me I will fail, and people tell me that I need to get a grip of what I am capable of. People have asked who I think I am, they don't like my attitude, they think I am loud and overly confident. I am tempted to feel sorry for myself, to make excuses on why something can't be attained. I can't afford to listen to any of these things. I can't for an instant take my eyes off my goals. Why? Because that's when I fail.

   There are a lot of mumbo jumbo books out there like "The Secret" that promote this type of thinking. The thing that they lose is it's not some "magical key to unlocking your future" and it's not some great revelation, it's been known for a long time. Thomas Jefferson said "Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."

   Do I lose sight of this? Often. Not two months ago someone had to remind me to stop questioning myself. I'm knee deep in this project because of it (more like waist deep at this point). But, I digress, Politicians break hearts. This I know. However, the one thing I see in this candidate is the chance that someone may show the next generation something that has been lost in ours, that idealism and belief in ourselves and each other can move mountains.

   Ok, I'll get off my soap box in a hot second. However, I have to say something quick to say about Michelle. She isn't the pretty woman in the nice dress that is standing behind a great man, she's the pretty lady in the nice dress that is standing WITH a great man. When her husband speaks to her I hear something I haven't heard in a politician before, he talks to her like she's a man. By that I mean, that he addresses her as a true equal, and that's something I can admire.

   I guess this comes across as one big endorsement. On a level I suppose it is....I'm not trying to open a debate about platforms and earmarks and inexperience and whatever else is a hot button issue. I understand we all have our beliefs and I'm not challenging yours. I just can't help but admire his unwaivering belief in his own ability to affectively improve our country. That is something I would want exemplified for my (currently non-existing) children.