In the beginning . . .

Well it begins today...sorta. The campaign for President and Vice President of the United States begins today, with the beginning of the Republican National Convention in Tampa.  
Now, the RNC really began yesterday, but with the threat of Tropical Storm Issac, they "delayed" the beginning of the speeches. 

Oh, but tonight the lineup is pretty thick. From South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Former GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum and tonight's headliners Ann Romney and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The leaked topics are wide ranging from Sen. Santorum speaking on Welfare & work to Gov. Haley speaking on "women's issues".  Ann Romney, the wife of the candidate is going to attempt to make Romney more "real". She has a difficult job but she'll give it one heck of a try.  Gov. Christie will make the first of many cases that Romney has the tools to fix America's problems.

The GOP started at a -10 because over the past week, there's been a vigorous debate about "legitimate rape," "dog whistles", birther-ism and the like.  The GOPs hidden ideas about when (if ever) a woman should be allowed to have an abortion and whether or not there are different types of rape caused a firestorm. The problem with the firestorm is that some in the GOP wanted to speak about what type of storm it was and not if they believed it existed. Most in the GOP hierarchy stated that MO Rep. Todd Akin's comments were reprehensible BUT few if any stated that they disagreed with his underlying premise: no abortion exception for rape.  

The problem that the GOP would like to cherry pick which parts of the government they want to be big and which parts they want small.  During the health care debate the theme was "we don't want government to make decisions on our health care" but in the same breath they state "women do not have the right to access abortion."  So if abortion is not a health care decision, then I'm not quite sure what it is. I can tell you what to do with your reproductive system, but I can't about your insurance. 

Doesn't make that much sense to me but... ok. SO let's talk... are you just now getting into the election? If so, what do you think?

Welcome to Front Porch Politics

Come on in and have a seat! Growing up, my family would go to my aunt and uncle's home and sit out on their front porch and watch passers by.  That porch was a great place to sit out, have a nice cup of tea or lemonade and speak to your friends and family on a myriad of topics.  Even now, when I make my pilgrimage back to Wolverine Country, it's one of my favorite places to go and enjoy good company and for my uncle to ask "So what do you think about ____."  This will be a similar space to inform, but also for you to speak your mind.

The current environment for political discourse can be (insert your favorite negative adjective here).  That, however, is wholly ineffective to iron out one's stance on the issues as well as look at the trees in this forest called American politics. What we will strive to do here is create a place where people can state their case. Let's discuss the issues intelligently and respectfully and who knows...maybe you aren't as (fill in your assumed political leanings) as you thought. 

Guest bloggers from different sides of the aisle will visit the porch, in addition to topics that may not facially scream POLITICS, but have political implications or overlaps. (Read: Trayvon Martin case in Florida and DREAMers protests in Arizona)

I can't wait to hear what YOU think!