You don’t know me.

Because if you did, you wouldn’t be wondering why on Earth I have a photograph of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on my blog.

You see, long ago, this was my blog, about me, and my relatively boring life. Then, one day, I stumbled upon some documents that eventually convinced me that Kaiser Permanente, the organization I had worked for since 2004, was in serious trouble. To make matters worse, I reckoned the chairman and two of his buddies were the reasons we were in so much trouble. Fast forward a year, and here we are…

But, I digress. This post isn’t about Kaiser Permanente. As important as fixing what’s wrong at Kaiser Permanente is to America, our presidential election next year is even more important. Which brings me back to Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama.

I realize it’s a long time until the convention next year. But am I the only one who would just like for Hillary and Barack to just start running together now? As in, President Clinton and Vice President Obama? Instead of taking silly potshots at each other, why not spend the next year being the “official opposition” of sorts? Why not spend the next year preparing to be president, instead of fighting with each other to prepare to be president?

I, like a whole lot of other Americans, am excited by the optimism and desire for change that Barack Obama brings to the table. But, I also recognize that Hillary Clinton brings to the table more experience. And, eight years from now, after almost eight years of an amazing Clinton-Obama administration, Vice President Obama would barely be 55. By that point, he’d be running for president as the most successful vice president in the history of our country (my apologies, Mr. Gore).

Think of it. Sixteen years of progressive leadership. We’d have universal healthcare coverage. A world in which our military has the resources it’s needed before it’s deployed, and a world in which our strong military is only deployed when we’ve exhausted every reasonable diplomatic avenue. We’d live in a safer world, one in which terrorism is forcibly, but intelligently confronted. A world in which we are stamping out poverty, replacing it with peace and prosperity.

In so many parts of our world, today, a pervasive lack of opportunity, and an unnecessary lack of resources have built vast, but fertile grounds for despair, which, far too often, turns to extremism. Bullets and bombs only further fuel a rabid, sad hatred of America by so many others in the world, and using those bullets and bombs so carelessly, so recklessly has done so little to protect our country from terrorism.

Sixteen years of an administration which understands our world, sixteen years of leadership from two people who truly understand compassion and strength… Our world may never be perfect, but it would be a better, safer place.I know, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama aren’t going to form a team tomorrow. But I think it’s very likely that next year’s convention will yield a Clinton-Obama ticket. If only they could spend every day leading up to next year’s election as a team, rather than as two people fighting each other.

Enough wishing and hoping and thinking and praying… Planning, and dreaming… Now, back to reality… Just let me know when I can get my Clinton-Obama bumper sticker.

Finally, I imagine there are a few people who don’t identify themselves as Democrats, who happen to visit my blog. Being born in Southern West Virginia, I am genetically incapable of being anything other than a pro-labor Democrat. Even if I were to have gene therapy, I am certain my mother would kill me were I ever to register as anything other an a Democrat. So, I hope you can either join me or forgive me. Take care.