On Compromise

A few days ago an email made its way to my inbox to inform me that

"comments were received by the ODE
which overwhelmingly stated that the Ohio homeschool laws and
regulations were working fine and needed no substantive changes."

Every five years the state's home education laws are to come under review by the department. It seems the home-schoolers who sent comments to the Ohio Department of Education during the comment period of the law review process largely wrote that the law is working fine, no changes are needed.

This means for the next five years, at least, we can expect no substantive changes. The two changes being implemented will remove an obsolete reference to a section of the Ohio Administrative Code and will update the definition of "teacher" to keep in accordance with teacher licensing changes in the state. When I read this news I felt relieved that I would not have to learn a new system, and I was pleased that things would be staying the same.

Then, I reflected upon those feelings. Now I''m still struggling with my ensuing thoughts. We in Ohio had an opportunity to decrease the regulation over home schooling. Now, for another five years, that opportunity has lapsed. I am profoundly thankful that Ohio home school regulation will not be increased. Still, the status quo is a compromise in principals of freedom.

These thoughts were tumbling around in my head while I was preparing a meal. As usual, the radio was on and I heard a newscast. More stuff about McCain. Just the evening before Rick and I had had a discussion about how dangerous we thought Obama's ideas and inclinations were. Even more dangerous than McCain's!

I started the primary season wholeheartedly believing I could not spend my November vote on any of the Republicans. Since then I've learned more about Obama, about Chuck Baldwin, and about Ron Paul, and Alan Keyes. My county's board of elections website has been inaccessible for a couple of days now. So I'm unable to satisfy my curiosity and tell you now which of these third party candidates will actually be on my ballot. I suspect my favorite, Keyes, is not.

The other night, Rick and I talked about how we loathed the idea of holding our noses to vote again. We discussed how far left McCain and Obama were, and how far left the Republican party would move if Obama won, and if McCain won. And we ended up undecided about voting against the worst candidate verses voting for the best available. Oh how we wish NOTA were an option on our ballots. I'm not so willing to compromise this election as I was four years ago.

Why is that? Why am I so willing to accept the status quo with regard to Ohio home schooling laws and regulations? Why do I find myself merely thankful it didn't get worse, when at the same time I'm so resistant to voting for lets just keep it from getting worse in November?

Polled

It finally happened. That $30 we donated to the RNC ten years ago must have landed us low down on a poll lists, because I was called for the first time today.

I was not impressed.

Because I was preparing dinner at the time, the caller did not have my full concentration. She introduced herself and launched. She rattled off something to the effect of:

Do you believe it is important to stop the democrats and people like Hillary Clinton from becoming elected?

What kind of question is that? It is so insulting to be treated like a yoke and bit led work mule. Am I not capable of thinking? Of course she was looking for a yes (or no) answer. But I'm way past being merely frustrated with their R vs. D political games to play along.

So I launched. I doubt my missile hit its target, but I sure felt better.

Because I was trying not to burn dinner at the time, my answer did not have my full concentration either. But it was something to the effect of:

What is important is protecting our American freedoms. I'm not impressed with the way the democrats want to do that, and every day I'm less impressed with the republicans.

Apparently failing to reply with a yes signals the caller to drop to a part of the script down at the bottom labeled:

Lost Cause! Get Off The Phone Fast! But don't forget to rattle off a phone number where the callee can donate funds.

Am I supposed to be more impressed now? My nose hurts with too much holding it shut while I vote.