Weighed Down
I know I should have tried to write before now, but this whole week I?ve been feeling very weighed down. I?ve been feeling weighed down by the impending election and all the mud slinging we?re in for. Weighed down by the potential for an election postponement. Weighed down by the heightened ?chatter? which seems to be enabling the possibility for an election postponement. Weighed down by Iraq and all the loss of life. Weighed down by the report that confirms there was no link between bin Ladin and Saddam. Weighed down by the fact some people actually needed the report before they would believe it. Weighed down by our ?president?s? continued belief that there WAS a link.

It?s all enough to make me want to go to sleep forever. Why are people such sheep? Why do we allow ourselves to be led around like this? How can we have so little self-respect? I just don?t understand. And it makes me feel sad and helpless.

Before I sign off, I thought I?d share another interesting forward.

Things you have to believe to be a Republican today:

Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a ?we can't find Bin Laden? diversion.

Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.

The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.

A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.

The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.

If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.

A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.

Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.

HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.

Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.

A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defense policy.

Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.

George Bush's driving record is none of our business.

Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.

You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.

What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.

Feel free to pass this on. If you don't send it to at least 10 other people, we're likely to be stuck with Bush for 4 more years.

Friends don't let friends vote Republican.