Most people have two topics they will avoid like the plague: religion and politics. Me, I have a tendancy to poke those topics in social groups---not because I'm a masochist, but because I get bored "arguing" with people who think the way I do. It's more interesting to talk religion with someone who believes differently than I do. And it's more challenging to discuss politics with someone who would solve things differently than I would.

But when it comes to that moment most Americans take for granted, when they pull the curtain closed behind them and they stand, alone, with the ballot, what do people do? They probably screw their faces up in various expressions of pain and anguish and try to decide the lesser of two evils. Is that any way to decide who will run this country?

For the first time in... ever, I have found a candidate I believe in enough to make a campaign contribution. If you'll look to the left, you'll see a new link above the Crafting Ferrets ring link. That's my candidate: Dr. Ron Paul.

I'm passionate about quite a few topics, but I don't yet feel I can speak as powerfully as he has so far on the issues. I was reasonably sure I liked this man---on paper he sure looked good---but it was his Candidates@Google interview which really cinched it for me.

Dr. Paul has a refreshing way of answering questions. I felt I could see him thinking, when a question was posed. If it wasn't an obvious question for which he could possibly have a prepared response, he went back to his basics: Constitution first. In the few places I disagree with him (and frankly I can only think of one issue in which that's true), I feel he brings a sensibility to the table that has been missing in American politics for my whole lifetime.

I've grown up in a world where the "President of the United States" wasn't a respected figurehead (like the position might have been for my parents and grandparents). Instead, I've had a President who felt he had to share the answer to "boxers or briefs" to capture the younger demographic. I've had a President who has made "bumbling idiot" the mark of his Presidency---and I don't say that to "sling mud" but to say that President Bush (Jr.) has made an effort to cultivate the "country bumpkin" image (some have said it's so we'll forget about his wealthy oil-connected family).

I am excited about Dr. Ron Paul running for President of these United States. He remembers that it was always supposed to be "these united states"----a collection of states in unity, not a single state of power, seated in D. C. He believes in the Constitution of these United States and he refers to it.

I'm probably more aware of my rights than the "Average Joe" in this country---but I'm still not as aware as I need to be. I know I have Freedom of Speech, but I have to check to see which Amendment to the Constitution that is. In fact, for a number of years, I've wanted a DVD copy of the Don Johnson/Melanie Griffith/John Goodman remake of Born Yesterday because of the dinner scene where Billie shows how she learned the first Amendments to the Constitution. It reminds me of the old School House Rock clips.

I wonder how hard it would be for me to put together a little match-up for the Amendments and their summary and let you all test how good you are---it might give me a chance to brush up too!

Anyway.... (sorry, it's late and I'm off on a tangent now....) I just couldn't sit quiet any more without sharing my excitement with you all. I'm actually eager for a Presidential election! I'm watching the campaign with hope for the first time---ever!

Check him out. And if you decide he's the right man for the office of President, would you let me know in the comments?