I voted for McCain. I am a Republican. Was I wrong in my decision? No. What I felt was wrong I understand now – no matter which candidate won, there was going to be instrumental and unprecedented change that I could choose to hate or embrace. I’m choosing the latter.

This memo doesn’t go into specific policy detail or attempt to combat issues regarding the general nation’s status. It’s to highlight 6 points of interest possibly more crucial than the actual issues.

Policy vs. Unity
Understand this is the United States. Too much emphasis is placed on the two-party system which creates almost an equal divide between us. Conservative or liberal is irrelevant. You are an American and this is your President-elect. You must support him.

The Great Unifier
Barack Obama may not have been your choice, but he was the majority choice by both the electoral college and popular vote. It’s been reported the 65% that turned out for this election was the biggest since 1908. Obama raised $660 million for his campaign through resources never truly embraced before (i.e. the Internet). Regardless your reason to participate, chances are you did and that means something. Either you showed your support by voting for him or you hate him and rather than to not watch the paradigm shift, you voted against him. This was a needed election. Aside from the Super Bowl, the election polling coverage was the most watched event this year. Its meaning is epic.

United We Stand. Divided We Fall.
The country is in turmoil. From housing to commodities, the economy is dead. Unemployment is rising steadily. Credit…hah. Retail is hurting and it’s having serious effects on international trade and their markets. Are we going to keep this circle going? Are we going to have half the nation wasting their time hating on Obama like the other half did to Bush the past 8 years. Republicans, it’s time to use that energy for good. Do we really want a fall from grace? I’ve grown up in the greatest country in the world. I want my children to do the same.

Look Ahead
What’s done is done. We need to look at the future. The new President will inherit a 1 trillion dollar deficit. All efforts need to be combined to combat it.

He’s Black
Yes he is. If that’s the reason you don’t like him, it’s time to put it to rest. If you make skin color an issue, while the McCain/Palin was 100% white the Obama/Biden ticket is 75%. So if you were giving 100% to the Republicans then give 75% support our new Commander In Chief and reserve that 25% for your differences on liberal policy.

The Next Mandela
Photo says it all…

Push For Participation (optional)
We are lucky enough to live in a time so technologically advanced every American citizen can participate in any creation of law if given the chance. Why not reward civil participation with tax breaks? Why not make polling stations as abundant as Starbucks? We have the ability. Let’s do it and let’s reward for it.

Is Barack the symbol that will unite the country not in belief, but in a political and economic stimulus? Time will tell. You have the next 4 years to decide. Until then, buy American, live free, and support Obama.

Join our discussion - To Obama Or Not To Obama…On Economic Policy

Just a note…SideTaker.com was mentioned in the Telegraph.co.uk.  Thanks!

You can now select from 7 days to a full year to keep your argument open on SideTaker.  Only the person adding side 1 can do this…

Well, it happened.  We’ve decided to open it up to more than just dating and marriage but still hold a focus on relationships.

Now, most spats can be shared anonymously through SideTaker.

Enjoy!

Some people (including myself) would experience a problem with comments not loading.  We hope the issue has been fixed.  Apparently, it was just a URL issue and should be automatically corrected for everyone so there’s nothing needed for you to correct it!!!

However, if you still are experiencinig problems with it, please be sure to contact us and let us know what’s going on.

Well, you got it.  Any story started where the first side is entered, but the second side has denied you of adding theirs and allowing the story to go live will now be viewable on its own…after 10 days.

Those sides will have their own comment threads and will of course be one sided but will outline the overall problems they are having.  Give them some advice on their situation.

Of course, since there is no second side, there is no vote so Side 1 always wins!

Another big feature coming shortly…stay tuned.

This was a feature request by one of our users wishing to have the capability to view comments only one gender at a time.  He felt that the guys side with the guy and girls with girls.

Now you can see who’s for who based on gender.  Maybe registered users stats from voting based on gender in the near future…?  Well, we haven’t recorded the gender based vote because you don’t have to be registered to vote and the result wouldn’t be accurate.  Maybe we’ll start now.

SideTaker.com is what you make of it.  If your argument has some crazy issues you have to add to make your sides complete, then by all means do it!  If it’s simply a small lovers’ spat that doesn’t require many facts then keep it simple.  You’ll get better advice based on how you write your story.

If you really want help, I’d say go with only the facts and try to word your side so you are looking for actual help and not to get a rise out of people.  If you want a rise or have some audacious attribute, add it only for fodder, but not to sway the vote.

Some may say voting only increases the tension in an argument and doesn’t serve to mediate.  Really, it’s not supposed to find common ground.  People voting do not and will never know you so just be honest.  Let them decide and use their decision any way you wish, but don’t solely base your own decisions on it.  If the vote is close, then chances are you you both need to work on things.  If it’s swayed completely to one side, then it may be OK to put stock in one side being wrong.

The reason there is not a “you’re both wrong” option to vote is because though both sides may be wrong, you still have to choose from only 2 sides.  If you feel strong enough that both are wrong, don’t vote and just comment on why each is wrong.

Cheers!

As you know if you’ve used the comment system, the little thumbs up/thumbs down rating system allows helps readers decide which comments are best, whether for advice or simply entertainment purposes (preferably the former).

Now you can view your sum total of these ratings for all your comments within your account.

What’s this mean?  Well, we want you to give good advice!  We want you to help these people and give them some fodder they may not have thought of for their situation.  So, ratings will act as points.  Points will be used in contests and giveaways to be implemented later.

So, make sure you’re giving good advice so others will make note of it!

We heard you!  :)  We’ve eliminated the requirement to add your sexual orientation on sign up.  You will, however, have to declare it if you wish to add a story.

We’ve also added support for bisexuals.