DNC

It's convention time! Although I think I would be sick if I actually attended the Democratic National Convention, I enjoy watching it on TV : ) Last night I spent most of my time on PBS, but flipped back and forth during the commentary time (Yay Tom Brokaw!) to get some different perspectives.

Speech #1:
I thought Nancy Pelosi's speech was a little...ummm...mechanical. I was slightly disappointed since I do like her, but she acted like a robot.

Speech #2:
(there were other speeches in between, but I didn't pay too too much attention to them)
Ted Kennedy was pretty awesome making such an impassioned speech while undergoing treatment for his inoperable brain tumor. I especially liked his "pass the torch" section in which he engaged the young generation to take responsibility for our country's future. Say what you want about the Kennedy's, but they are modeling a "to whom much is given, much is expected" lifestyle. I think it is important when a man who can afford whatever kind of medical care he wants passionately campaigns for health care as a right and not a privilege.

Speech #3:
I was a little scared that Michelle Obama was going to be a robot like Nancy Pelosi, but I felt she really was speaking from her gut. The commentators explained that she had a big hand in writing the speech, and you could tell. If anyone in this country thinks that the Obama's are out of touch, you just need to look at their parents to see that they were raised like most of us are. Michelle Obama's dad was a blue collar worker and her mother a stay at home mom. My father is a white collar worker and my mother was a stay at home mom - in that aspect I had a more privileged upbringing in a Dallas suburb than she did in a Chicago apartment complex. To me, Michelle's speech hit home that she and Barack have spent their adult lives trying to give back to their community, help those less fortunate, and inspire those with means to use their gifts and talents to help the greater good. Yes, I'm pretty socialist in my political leanings. (I have often asked if one can be a social worker and a Republican at the same time....) If charity were taking care of the problem, I would rely on the goodness of common man. But charity isn't taking care of the problem, so I want to elect people to government office who will use our country's resources to help solve the problem.

I went to bed after Michelle's speech, so I don't really know what else happened. Tonight I'm interested to hear Hillary speak, and I am attending a watch party on Thursday for Barack's speech. I encourage everyone to watch the convention (PBS shows all of the speeches uninterrupted) and think about this election. I plan on watching the Republican national convention coverage next week to see what they have to offer, although I must admit I have a hard time listening to McCain talk. We'll see how far I get : )