The Elimination of Choice

Watching the Republican National Convention is an exercise in ambivalence; Condoleeza Rice with her thoughtful and soul stirring speech, brought me to tears of patriotic pride. Chris Christie demanded a respect for the American People seldom heard from any politician. A respect totally ignored by Ryan. This is a crucial election year (Aren't they all?) and frankly, even though I tilt left, I would have loved to be able to choose a reality based alternative to the inexperienced, star struck current administration.  I thought Mitt Romney might have been that choice, but just as with John McCain, the choice of a Vice Presidential running mate has closed that avenue. Last night Ryan did the exact opposite of the tone set by Christie, he showed the ultimate disrespect for himself and his party by ignoring Christie's admonition to "tell the truth". The Washington Post, not a bastion of liberalism and Obama love, summed up my reaction to both Ryan and his personal ethics in this editorial: "Mr, Ryan's Misleading Speech." I've voted in every election, local and national for the last five decades. This time I may not bother.