![\"A](\"https:\/\/ayearofsongs.org\/ayearofsongs\/images\/blogimages\/AWholeNotherNewMorning1.jpg\")
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S<\/span>ince I’ve written before in this space about being an anti-war, environmentally concerned <\/span>Republican<\/span> (unnecessary war only benefits the arms dealers and a dead planet is bad for business — what’s hard to understand about that?) I figure it’s probably appropriate for me to announce some changes around here…<\/p>\n I <\/span>wish<\/span> the GOP was still the party of Lincoln, civil rights, and honest, responsible government. But that fantasy is unsustainable.<\/p>\n It’s not a perfect fit — but I’m now a Democrat. That’s right, a capital-D Democrat.<\/p>\n And, like a lot of folks walking away from my former party, I’ve been drawn steadily to <\/span>the new guy.<\/p>\n Not only is he likable — he’s whip smart and serious in a way that seems to elevate the dialog away from the same old do-anything-say-anything-to-get-elected politics of his closest rival for his party’s nomination.<\/p>\n <\/span>Do<\/span> I have qualms? Sure, I’m a fiscal conservative and he’s… well… he’s kind of a progressive.<\/p>\n But when’s the last time there was a genuine fiscal conservative Republican in the White House? That would be… <\/span>not <\/span>in <\/span>my <\/span>half-century-plus of memory. No, the Republicans who’ve crossed that threshold have been, by and large, disgraceful spend-and-borrow profligates and any cursory investigation of the ups and downs of US deficits and total debt will throw that into stark and unmistakable relief.<\/p>\n And those Republican spendthrifts have by and large thrown away the money enriching their cronies and donors — often as not on weapons systems that do not work as advertised and erode the security of the U.S.<\/p>\n So, while I’d certainly be more comfortable if someone, somewhere was promising smaller budgets — and might actually be counted on to deliver them (ah, <\/span>there’s<\/span> always the rub) — I’m actually <\/span>more<\/span> comfortable with someone who wants to put his spending to use in actually improving the lot of U.S. citizens instead of greedy, corrupt warmongering arms makers.<\/p>\n I’m voting for Obama, today. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [reprise]<\/span>
\nA Whole ‘Nother New Morning <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n