Wow, there is so much talk going on in
the blogging realm about Sarah Palin, VP candidate and her credentials
or lack thereof, her daughter Bristols pregnancy and the shock this
nominee has given to the Obama campaign and so much more.

Isn't
it a wonder that we live in such a great country that we can learn what
we need to about candidates before we vote? I am speaking of the
issues, not personal family problems of course but that is par for the
course for any nominee nowadays.

As a mother who has been
through the whole pregnancy without marriage with my number two
daughter Tara, I can understand what Palin may be going through. The
shock, the hurt, the questions on what did I do wrong as a mother come
to my mind. I have been there, many of us have been there. And we all
know, the choice wasn't ours it was our child's decision.

I
learned several things while going through this ordeal with my daughter
two plus years ago. Even the best Mom's have kids who make bad choices
and it doesn't mean their kids are necessarily bad kids. The word
"choice" is imperative here. Many kids make bad choices and never get
caught. I am in that category to be sure and so are you most likely. If
not, where's your halo?

I also know that my daughter's choice
does not cause me to make a lot of changes to my life unless I choose
to let it. I adore watching my granddaughter from time to time. I also
like it at times when her mother picks her up so I can do my own thing,
whatever that may be.

I love the fact that Palin has a strong
supportive husband who obviously backs her decision to run for VP. I
know many women who would give their right arm for a supportive
husband. My guess is that the Palin family had a long family talk
before Palin excepted the offer. Bristol I am sure supports her Mom's
decision. The fact that Bristol at 17 is keeping her baby also shows
strong family support. I desperately wanted my daughter to keep her
baby but I also let her know that the decision was hers to make and
that I would support her no matter what.

The fact the Sarah
Palin has five children and one with Down's Syndrome, also seems to
have the blog lines buzzing but what I wonder is, what about all those
political dad's children? Those raised somewhat without a father figure
in the home? The kids who only see Daddy on TV before they drift off to
sleep or so we are led to believe? What is worse? Having a dad in
public office or a mom? I doubt a study has been done.

I
think the key point here is "strong family". And the Palin's seem to be
a very strong family as do the Obama's, Biden's and McCain's. Hillary
had the advantage I suspect as her daughter was grown when she ran for
office and we all know her husband staunchly supported her.

What
I believe we can't do it make judgment calls. What we need to do is
look at the politics of all the candidates and vote accordingly with what we believe is right.

I
am in some places still very torn about who I should vote for. I like
Palin as a candidate. Do I believe she is fully qualified? I am not
sure but I feel the same way about Obama. Do I like her politics? So
far yes but only in certain areas. I love the idea that she is pro-life
and pro-family. In other areas she is definitely more conservative that
I am and in other's we simply don't know yet.

I don't care for
McCain personally as he seems a bit wishy-washy to me in areas but do I
think he is qualified? Yes as was Clinton and several of the republican
candidates.

On another note I don't think I could do it as Palin
has. My major priority in my life has been my family and that is the
choice I have made. I have four children and being a full time wife and
mother has kept me more than busy. I also have friends who have opted
to work full time and raise their children and have done an awesome
job. I think knowing yourself and understanding your limits is first
and foremost in making decisions that affect yourself and your family.
I did try, several times to hold down a full time job but it never
took, but that's just me.

All in all I am still of the notion
that we need to establish as strong third party and I am so very proud
to live in a country where we have the right to establish another party
if we so choose to do so. In fact, there are many parties out there to
choose from but unfortunately none are very strong and most are rather
extreme.

But, most importantly we need to realize and appreciate
that we live in a wonderful nation where we have the right to vote, the
right to choose which party we support, the right to live and pray with
freedom. Being an American is a wonderful gift. Let's not abuse or
ignore it.

Whatever candidate you choose to support, be sure to vote on November 4th and savor the right to vote for whomever you choose.

To learn more about the candidates on the issues go here.