Can someone please tell me what year it is?

That is what I think when I hear that people are seriously considering race as an issue in the 2008 election. As most of you know, I am a huge Obama supporter and I passionately believe in his message, but my support of him isn't the reason I am raising this question. It is because I am concerned about the direction our country is going if people genuinely make their decisions based on race, or religion for that matter.

Our country is in serious trouble, not only locally, but globally, and it is embarrassing. Anyone who believes otherwise is blinded by fear, or doesn't pay attention. It is amazing to me that when we make statements, as I just did, we are considered anti-American or elitist. It's really is just the opposite. I make that statement because I love my country and the opportunity it offers to it's citizens and those who wish to become citizens. I want my country to be the melting pot it was meant to be. I want to see it flourish and set an example of how democracy can work.

With all of the problems we are experiencing, now we are throwing racism and religion into the mix? The qualifications for president do not include a specific race, religion, or sex. But somehow, the public opinion is rewriting the rules. Lately, I have been hearing a common theme regarding the democratic nomination. The white vote, mostly male, is the determining factor in the nomination. These stories have an underlying message suggesting that somehow they should get preferential treatment and attention from the candidates simply because of their race, and that white Americans are not capable of making a decision to elect a person that isn't of Western European dissent. Do the votes of African Americans not count for anything? Thus prompting my question- "What year is it?"

I am going to go out on a limb and say that this message has evolved with a little help from Barack's opponents, and Shame on them! I'm not pointing fingers at the republicans, because this dirty work has been done for them, from within our own party.

Lastly, I want to address the issue of religion. I am not a religious person and don't claim to be. With that being said, I believe that everyone has the right to practice any type of religion or spirituality best for them. First, let me address the accusations of Barack being Muslim.. he isn't. But if he were, so what? If you believe that Muslims as a whole are out to get us, please do some research. This misconception began with the Christian Crusades. I was raised Catholic, and believe me there are extremists in every religion. This country was founded on the basis that we could be free to practice any religion that we choose. Let's keep it that way.

Ok- here is where you may really disagree, but I have to address it. The rev. Wright issue. Here is my point. I realize that some of the statements are shocking and out of line, and that they can be offensive to the population at large. But, these statements were made in the privacy of his own church, and you don't have to agree with him, but he still has freedom of speech under the first amendment. Just because Barack was a member of this church doesn't mean he believes everything that his church and preacher support. But as a whole, this is the place that he and his family have decided to worship. I equate it to the Catholic Church,of which I was a member for many years- I have sat many hours in the pews listening to the word of God as communicated by the Priest. I have given money to the church to support it's mission. But not once, have I ever supported the preists who participated in the reprehensible acts of pedophilia. I do not support that the church uses the money that I donated to defend these monsters in court- but that does not make me an accomplice to their act. Just as sitting in the pews of Rev. Wrights church does not make Barack an accomplice of his statements.

So, what year is it? 2008 It is a year that is going to possibly make the biggest impact on our country. We have an opportunity to nurse our ailing country back to health. When it comes down to it, I personally believe that the solution lies with Obama, I just want my country back. I want my children to live in a place that race, religion, and sexual orientation aren't issues. If we don't start now, we will never get there.