After reading some of the charged political and sociological, uh, "discourse" in some other threads, I have decided rather than throwing my hat into that unsavory ring, I will respond to my own thread instead. I promise not to flame myself, but, indeed, you are free to flame me if the desire so arises.
In the debate of one candidate over another, or, as the case may be, "are we all doomed to the fire pits of hell now that Obama has been elected", I find it interesting that otherwise well-intentioned people can actually take sides. And by that I mean ask yourself: is situation A really better than situation B?
Along these lines I've established for myself a set of guidelines... or "rules of the thumb" you might say... by which I evaluate these times and situations. Feel free to accomodate these guidelines to your future purposes.
Guidelines for Election 2008 1.) Do not trust politicians, be they of the Democrat, Republican, or any other persuasion whatsoever.
2.) Politicians, in general, are self-serving, opportunistic individuals. They will tell you what you want to hear, and keep from you what they know you don't want to hear. Moral and ethical corruption is a refined art -- and a absolute requirement for any of the highest political offices of the land. (Also, see item #1)
3.) Powerful, self-serving, opportunistic, unethical, corrupt politicians have historically been "rich white guys".
4.) John McCain is a powerful, self-serving, corrupt politician that happens to be a "rich white guy". Per #s 1, 2, and 3: do not trust John McCain.
5.) Barack Obama is a powerful, self-serving, corrupt politician that just happens to be more "rich black guy" than "rich white guy". Per #s 1 & 2, and as an extension to #3: do not trust Barack Obama.
6.) Hillary Clinton is a powerful , self-serving, corrupt politician that just happens to be more "rich white girl" than "rich white guy". Per #s 1 & 2, and as an extension to #3: do not trust Hillary Clinton.
And so on and so forth...
So, in the year 2008 what have we learned? What have we accomplished in all this Red and Blue divisiveness?
I think it's clear: we've broken the "rich white guy" barrier of American politics. No longer must self-serving, powerful, corrupt, unethical politicians be "white" or even "guys"!
Ladies and gentlemen... a new horizon on the landscape that is the American Experience!
(p.s., I voted for Obama... so there 
)