I, Muehlenhaus. U, Riedermaus.

Listening to Mum right now and working on a lecture for next week. Apparently I am busier this semester, as I never write to this blog anymore. I don't even have time to play card games with beans or watch 40-some episodes of Lost in a row. Life is hard...

But I'm enjoying it. The Democratic nomination process is hilarious to watch. I mean, everyone knows the Clintons (and I use plural, because all three are involved) are likely going to bludgeon their way to the nomination. They will single-handedly set women and African American politicians back by about 40 years due to their own vanity. Sure, Hillary will get the nomination by seating delegates she was against seating originally and getting the Democratic establishment that owes her favors to vote for her. And then... she will lose. And we will have four years with a guy that is pro-war, anti-taxes, and not exactly all that bright. Sound like what we have now? Well it is... and you know what the worst thing is? If this actually happens, all of my Democratic Party friends will be bad sports about it. They will insult McCain for being "stupid" and "arrogant" and opine that there is no way the Democrats can or should lose the next election. Just as they did before Kerry lost and they are right now. The problem is... Republicans are not stupid. In fact, often they are far more convincing, mature, and logical than Democrats, which is why they win elections. I think perhaps the Democratic Party suffers from the sort of institutional malaise that affects most of the unions in this country. That is, they are completely corrupt and unresponsive to the reality they operate in. The party is more hierarchical than the Postal Union -- seniority over energy and potential. That is hardly the way to win elections.

The more I think about it, the more I can't believe I still want to affiliate with the Democratic Party. Certainly on political issues I am closer to their perspective, but at least if I was Republican I could attempt to make change from within the power structure, as Democrats seem intent on never gaining executive power in the next eight years or so. Let's face it, if change is what people want this election and the Democrats nominate Hillary, then voters will only have one choice -- to vote for the Republican that has pissed Rush Limbaugh off more than Hillary ever has. To go with the maverick rogue Republican who actually is a moderate at heart and has convictions of steel. And on top of this, the Democratic Party not only risks alienating moderate voters like myself, but also the African-American population it has banked upon to keep it close in elections. Quite honestly, if Hillary Clinton steals the nomination from Barack, the first African-American political leader that the white population has ever embraced across age and gender lines, what does this say about the Democratic Party leadership?! If the Republican Party is smart, as soon as Hillary is nominated, they should throw out a proverbial carrot on the stick and announce that a vote for Hillary is a vote against progress. It would be pretty easy! Even if they only shave 10% of the African-American vote away from the Democratic Party, that may be enough to get them some big states. (Note: in the 2000 election, African-Americans voted 92% for Gore-Lieberman; I'm not sure what the 2004 election stats were but they were not much different. Knocking that down to 82% could begin breaking up the urban stranglehold that Democrats enjoy during national elections.)

The crazy thing is... I want Obama and the Democrats to win, but even I can see how this party is heading for disaster. Better to point out the iceberg and jump ship than sink with an incompetent captain that can't see the horizon. That's exactly what I will do if the Democratic National Committee helps Hillary get the nomination. I'm out of here... Adios. I'm a ghost. But those are just my thoughts after losing sleep and staying up watching political talk shows late at night to recuperate from teaching.

Now jamming to the Moldy Peaches. Incredible band! Anyone who can do a cover of "Little Bunny Foo Foo" and follow it with a single called "Whose Got the Crack?" is stellar in my mind. I don't even have to know what they sing! OK, back to work... I had to vent about the election. Sadly, I have a bad feeling I am all bluster. Watch, I'll probably vote Hillary in November and hate myself for it. Particularly when she loses and I could have gone with my gut and picked the winning side. RRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr...