As much as I realize this will be (yet another) inflammatory thought that I should have filtered before speaking, I simply cannot help it…so, here goes: Some people should not have the right to vote.

This comment stems from some recent opinion I have read regarding California’s decision to allow gay marriage. To me, and to other rational, intelligent people, this is a no-brainer. In fact, I think it’s pretty insulting that we’d even have to debate whether or not two consenting adults could be together based on our own personal values and preferences. I think we should legalize gay marriage and then, just to ensure the maintanence of dignity, pass a follow on amendment stating that this law can never be revoked or even debated again.

I truly think opposing gay marriage says something about your intelligence (or significant lack thereof) and could be a very useful tool in screening unqualified individuals out of our democratic process. Think of it as a litmus test. It could be the first question asked on every voter application! “Do you support gay marriage? If yes, continue application. If no, please put down your pen and proceed to nearest gay dance club immediately.” I really don’t know one person who has ever had a bad time at a gay dance club, no matter what his/her sexual orientation.

Most people who oppose gay marriage have some religious or “moral” (which is just a thinly veiled code word for “religious”) basis for their opposition. Hey, everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion. But since when did our country deny rights to certain groups based on religious rationale and bigotry? Since when did one religion control the dialogue over what was “moral”?

Furthermore, the two men or two women wanting to get married LOVE each other. Love is not something we should be attacking - it’s something we ought to be embracing. Isn’t there enough hatred and suffering in this world already without us having to add to it?

Honestly, the whole issue is just so infuriating. Our children and grandchildren are going to look back on us for this issue and wonder what was wrong with us to be this prejudiced and discriminatory. Years after gay marriage has been adopted universally, our progeny will wonder why the debate ever raged on for as long as it did. It’s barbaric, honestly. We need to get our act together and stop treating gay men and women as second-class citizens.

I know I make a big deal out of having a career and being successful, but lately I’ve found myself fantasizing about retirement.

Granted, I am in no place to be thinking about retirement. At three weeks shy of age 26, I haven’t exactly put in my time quite yet. That said, I’m exhausted. I’m neglecting my writing, neglecting my health, and - worst of all - neglecting my son. I’m too tired and irritable when I get home at night to scarcely do more than microwave chicken nuggets, lie catatonic on the couch, and then beg him to go to sleep so I might do the same.

Today, as I was fielding about seven different requests from my client while simultaneously trying to print the very important documents for the very important meeting, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is it all worth it? When does the lifestyle improve? Will I ever get this time back?

Most days, I enjoy the fast pace and variety that consulting provides. On days like today, though, I look forward to the time when I have acquired enough specialized knowledge to quit consulting and land a cushy job in industry, one where I work 9 - 5, earn three times my current salary, and hire a slew of eager consultants to do my job for me.

Sometimes, I like to pretend that I evaluate people solely on things such as their personal traits, quality of character, and integrity. You know, boring things.

In truth, appearance plays a big part in determining why I like someone. I recognize this is a problem for me, which I think is an important first step to correcting the problem. After all, one needs to recognize and acknowledge a flaw before she can fix it.

Said flaw acknowledged, I would like to share how my superficiality has swayed my voting decision decidedly into the Obama camp. But first, some relevant back story.

Back in 2004, I was a staunch supporter of John Kerry for President. I had just graduated from Harvard and was living in Arlington, Virginia with my best friend, Sarah, who was very politically engaged and far less shallow than me.

My support of the Kerry-Edwards ticket did not stem from the fact that I had grown up in Massachusetts, Kerry’s home state. It did not stem from the fact that my views tied almost perfectly to those of Senator Kerry. It did not even stem from the fact that I loathed President Bush with such passion that I often lost sleep wondering if our country had gone crazy to practically elect such incompetence. (Of course, we all know he did not win the general election, so “elect” is really a gross exaggeration of what happened.)

In fact, I supported John Kerry for President because his running mate, Senator John Edwards, was H-O-T.

One day, while we were living in Arlington, Sarah came home from our local supermarket, Harris Teeter. Harris Teeter was walking distance to our apartment, and as such, we made trips there almost daily.

“You’re not going to believe who I just ran into,” Sarah said, excitedly.

I was reading the newspaper on the couch and didn’t even look up. I imagined it was some bad date of either hers on mine. “Hmm?” I asked.

“John Edwards!”

I threw my newspaper into the air and jumped up, startled, flabbergasted, and instantly sweating.

“Did you talk to him? Where was he?” I could barely form words.

“He was in the produce aisle,” she said, “buying fruit.”

Of course, I followed with a litany of questions that included such gems as: What kind of fruit? What was he wearing? Did he see you? and, my all-time favorite, Did you touch him in any way? (The answer to the last question was an exasperated “no.”)

That was as close as I’ve ever been to Senator Edwards. Unfortunately, he and John Kerry lost the election to Bush and Cheney. (Really, who wants to look at Dick Cheney? Shudder.) I thought my days of John Edwards gazing were over.

When he entered the Democratic race last year, my hopes were briefly revived, then dashed again just as quickly. It became apparent that this was a two person race and Edwards simply was not one of the contenders.

And then it happened. Last week, Edwards came out and publicly endorsed Barack Obama for the nomination. This solidified my already fast-growing support of the junior Senator from Illinois. What has given me even more inspiration and excitement, however, are the rumors that Edwards could be Obama’s running mate! As much I want to rise above my superficiality and overcome my flaw, I just can’t resist supporting that wholeheartedly.

Obama-Edwards? Now that’s one HOT ticket.