How dumb are we?

Before you decide to vote for the military man and the self-proclaimed hockey mom, ask yourself if you’re doing better than you were eight years ago.

Then consider the facts:

McCain, while once willing to take stands against his own party, has consistently capitulated to the Bush Administration and the religious right in control of the Republican party. That’s how you get to vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Also consider this: Sarah Palin is the “made-for-TV” candidate. She studied broadcast journalism and worked for a time as a sportscaster. So she can read a teleprompter and deliver a script with style. She looks good, and she knows how to make a good impression. But she’s the real “empty suit” in this race. In fact, she has one of the lightest resumes (and a questionable record) ever in a candidate for national office, much like George W.

McCain’s now touting change, and using his VP candidate as a prop for that argument. So I have to ask, “How dumb are we?”

Are we going to fall for that because we’re uncomfortable with the idea of a black man as president, even though his policy will help 98 percent of us economically? Are we going to fall for it because a woman, any woman in the White House is more important than choice for our daughters and ourselves? Are we going to fall for that because we’re still voting on stupid measures like “likeability” and looking “presidential.”

Wake up America! This kind of decision making is what got us eight years of W. Instead of looking at Bush’s abysmal track record as a corporate executive and governor, we let the media focus on his folksy personality (which is largely a lie).

How dumb are we?

For once in your life read something, and look at what economic history tells you about the Democratic record versus the Republican. Turn off the TV and radio; quit listening to vapid sound bites and vote for your real economic interests.

I’ve spent an entire lifetime watching the lower and middle class in this country fall for these stupid campaign tricks. (Am I reliving 1980!?!) And we’re poised to do it again. You have to remember it’s not a candidate’s personality that matters, it’s the policies. Who’s going to provide healthcare, work for an equitable tax system, and rebuild our economy, national security and stature in the world?

Personally, I’m voting for the candidate who thinks I have a brain.