The House of Representatives passed a bill this week that lifts the ban on offshore drilling on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts.

My stomach dropped when I read this. It has some good points, don't get me wrong ... an extension on tax incentives for solar and wind power is a big deal ... but it seems to me that this bill won't make it farther than it's already gone.

George Bush Sr. instituted a ban on new drilling in 1990. Now his party wants to get rid of a policy that was established for a very good reason- namely oil spills washing up on beaches, killing off species of marine life, poisoning water and people and stifling tourism to coastal areas.

We don't see those problems right now because of the ban on drilling. Lift that ban and watch the beaches turn black again. No one cares now because it's not in their face. If I had a nickel for every ignorant person that forgot their obligation to hand down a clean and functioning planet to their children, I would never have to work again.

Alas, money won't rain down on me and our population won't get any smarter until today's youth finally inherit the Earth- and even then I question their ability to know better than their parents.

The population has decided to chant "drill, baby, drill" at political rallies and therefore both parties will do whatever they say, just so they can get votes on their behalf on November 4th. Both sides of the isle will pander to whatever is popular- even an under-qualified "sexy librarian."

May I just add that as a female voter, I am annoyed and insulted by whatever powers make assumptions about how I'll end up voting. As a registered independent who would love to see an educated, well qualified and seasoned female politician take hold of the white house, I am appalled at the assumption of the Republican party that just because they decided to choose Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate I'm going to slather on some more lipstick and vote at the polls by using a lip print next to her name.

Hell no.

She's anti-environment, anti-women's rights, she believes that creationism should be taught in schools and that sexual education should go no farther than abstinence. Two steps forward and three steps back. And as for the whole "lipstick" controversy, it's just the Republicans manipulating women once again. They're trying to get us all fired up by misinterpreting statements and assuming that we're all so stupid we don't watch the news or study the candidates before we vote. Like we're a bunch of doe-eyed, fragile beings chained to our kitchens hoping that one day an other vagina can pull us out of the dark ages.

Shame on all of them. Be you a stay at home mom, a working mother, a young female professional, whatever- you chose the life you're leading. You make conscious decisions every day about how you'll live your life. Don't let them make assumptions about the person you are. If you agree with the Republican policies, please vote for them, but not because they've got a woman on their side.

Alright, I'm done.

Happy Thursday.
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