I don't disagree that locally we were better off during Clinton's tenure, and I agree H. Clinton would also likely improve things for my fellow Hoosiers. I support Obama above Clinton, but if she were to get the nomination, I would throw all of my weight behind her. She's an admirable and complicated woman who would make a fine Commander In Chief, I just happen to agree more with Obama at this stage in the game.

I also agree that things are tough all over, but there are several characteristics unique to the areas we're discussing that give a lot of credence to what Obama said. First and foremost is an economy centered in manufacturing and farming. Sure, we aren't the only areas to have these jobs, but other parts of the country had other industries to fall back on, we didn't. During the Clinton years we didn't decline, but we didn't experience near the boom as other more economically diverse areas. Education is another factor. Less than half of the people in my state have a high school diploma, less than one percent have graduate degrees. The best and brightest of our students leave Indiana for college and don't come back. Reagan certainly had a hand in it, but we are equally at fault for not evolving from what worked for us in the 50's.

Collectively, we're uneducated, unmotivated and clinging to the idea that if only the gays didn't want to marry each other, the Mexicans went back to Mexico and teenagers didn't have sex, things will go back to the way they were when everyone had a pension, a house in a good neighborhood and a job that more than provided for their needs. In the meantime they have their guns, their church, their anger and their talk radio to keep them going. Is that insulting? Maybe so, but that doesn't make it any less true.

Obama said it out loud, Clinton wouldn't. If you pat me on the head and tell me I'm doing great when I'm clearly f***ing up, I'm never going to change. I stand behind any candidate that expects me to take responsibility for my part in this democracy instead of merely admonishing those who think differently than I do, and imho, Obama does this more than either McCain or Clinton.

Holy crap, the meanieheads will be out in droves again tonight, huh?

2008: The Year The Election Became the Equivalent of Harry/Ginny vs. Harry/Hermione 'shippers, or, how we learned to stop thinking and love a good old fashioned flame war.....

Kids! Seperate corners! Shut the hell up for a hot second before you start the daily pissing contest. At this rate you'll all be dead of heart attacks and strokes by the time the election comes around. Breathe in, breathe out. Pet your dog, kiss your spouse, watch some internet porn, whatever it takes to stop all this nonsense and have an adult conversation, for the love of Betsy Ross.

I've always liked Salon because the conversation was always intelligent, spirited and respectful. Lots of views, lots of interesting and unique voices - isn't that what we're supposed to be about on the left? C'mon, some of us need to know that the entire country has not lost it's mind and that the internet still contains people who can talk instead of scream at each other.

Salon, you were my last hope. I still have faith in you. We're supposed to be the nice ones.

Dear Media and Politicians;

We Hoosiers are tickled that we've been noticed and quoted as if we were a real live state, active and important to the Union as a whole. It's about time the little guy in the middle had a voice, I say! It's sure nice to have Hoosier Dems treated as if we were valuable members of the party. We're tickled to be a part of things this year and look forward to being active participants in the campaign of which ever democratic candidate wins and moves onto the general. Oh, wait....

In 48 hours my voice will mean nothing again, and my entire state will be written off as supporting McCain.

But gosh, it is nice to feel important for a minute.