The following began as a response to a peer's journal; a journal whose words mirrored my own basic fears about the potential U.S. Vice President nominee, Sarah Palin.

Generally speaking, I do not like to talk about politics because it's "rude" and opens the door for a lot of crass counter-points. But it was because of this seething silence during the 2004 Bush re-election that the nation's worst president in history was able to re-capture the White House and thereby continue driving this nation into the ground.

...

As a matter of disclaiming myself, I am, most often, an ultra-dedicated Democrat. This does not mean I cannot be swayed, it simply means I have not heard anything come from the ideals of the Republican party to tempt me.

With that being said, my dedication to Obama holds steadfast...not simply because I dislike McCain, but because I prefer Obama's approach to pretty much every major issue facing America and the world.

I have been watching the various convention speeches for both parties, and I am terrified by Palin.

I have a strong feeling that she will be in control at some point during a McCain Administration, and that idea also terrifies me endlessly. I'm happy she has no regrets in her small-town life. I'm happy she's accomplished so much in her community the size of my High School. I'm happy to hear that she seems to think nothing of running a country tangent to running a household of children and forthcoming grandchildren. I'm even happy she knows how to field-dress a moose. But I fail to see how any of these accomplishments qualifies a person to take the reigns of the World's most powerful nation of millions,... a nation circling the drain and facing a massive recession due to the very poor leadership of her own party.

Her views on gun-ownership and abortion, while relevant and sincere, aren't even in the top 5 concerns ailing our nation. What real perspective is she going to offer for the Economy? The War? The Environment? Global Warming, the CIA, or our national budget?? Her success stories in small-town, isolated America are not going to translate to anything on the National level, nor do I care to let her try. Obama's "inexperience" is eclipsed by her own political isolation.

Although I am a staunch Obama supporter, I used to take comfort in knowing that if McCain won the election, at least he had made comments regarding the preservation of the environment and global warming. But now that Palin has said she wishes to essentially strip-mine and drill her native Alaska of its oil, I am gravely concerned. This country—the world—needs real, new solutions to its energy needs. Her solution is to just keep looking for more of the same sources...sources like the Wildlife Preserve which are protected for reasons far greater than fears of upsetting the animals. Taking Alaska's oil will do nothing for this country except line Palin's native Alaska's coffers with money and, at best, provide a very brief stop-gap to importing foreign oil.

This election is not just about who's going to raise your taxes and who's not. It's not about who has been to war and who hasn't. It's not even about who has more dedication to their countrymen...This election could, and very well may, decide the fate of the world. How the world views America, how it responds to America, how it heals or continues to ail. We absolutely, positively, MUST change our direction of priority. I am completely unconvinced McCain or (God forbid) Palin can or even want to do that.

I am not trying to pick fights or ignite wars of the words. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and feelings. But Palin and by proxy McCain scare me to death.