The significance of this piece lies in the fact that I want to write it. Whether it is read or not is of no consequence. It is the posting of it that is of significance to me, and for my own reasons.

I am a Democrat – and I stand by, with, and for this party at all times. I do so not only because I believe in its ideals, and find common cause with fellow party members, but because I have seen the alternative.

“I’m tired of always having to choose between the lesser of two evils when I vote.” Yeah, me too. But when it comes down to two choices – as it invariably does every four years – I’ll stick with the lesser (probably way lesser) of those two evils every time. Because I have seen the alternative.

“Sorry, but I can’t vote for someone I don’t believe in, even if he is a Democrat. It’s a matter of principle.” Well, "principles” are great. But if those principles lead you to refuse to participate, ignore the consequences to your country and fellow citizens, fail to vote for that lesser evil as a means to keep the greater evil out of power – well, quite frankly, your principles suck.

This time around, I supported Barack Obama’s candidacy because I believed in his intelligence, his compassion, and his determination. I got lucky – I got to support a man whose agenda, for the most part, meshed with mine. But the truth is, I would have supported him if he was only a fraction of what I perceived him to be, solely because he was the Democratic nominee. Because I have seen the alternative.

I knew going in that this man would, at times, disappoint me, anger me, fail me, not live up to my expectations – while at other times he would inspire me, invigorate me, encourage me to expand my expectations of myself as a citizen.

But I was willing – more than willing – to be outraged, overjoyed, frustrated, elated, infuriated and uplifted by a man who was capable of doing all of those things, and then some, who had a (D) after his name – because I’ve seen the alternative.

“So, my party right or wrong – right?” Yes, right. Because I have seen the alternative. I have seen what eight years – just a small moment in time in the great scheme of things – have done to a nation; eight years of the alternative. Don't want to go there again, but thanks for asking.

When you’ve lived as long as I have, you understand that change doesn’t happen overnight. You understand that it doesn’t come about on its own; it often requires your personal assistance. You understand that it’s not just the guy living at the fancy DC address who has obligations – you’ve got a few of your own.

“I’m not allowed to dissent, to speak up when I am dissatisfied?” Dissent is not only allowed – it is encouraged. But when dissent or disagreement causes you to threaten to walk away from the process rather than stand and fight for improvement, increased cohesiveness, taking a position of solidarity against the other side – well, maybe you haven’t taken a long, hard look at the alternative.

“It’s not fair to bring up the McCain-Palin ticket as an argument to my ‘I don’t like Obama and what he’s doing’ complaints.” In fact, it is. Because they were the alternative – and their ilk will be the alternative in future. These pairings of the ridiculous and the not-so-sublime are not some hypothetical, what-if-all-reason-fled examples of what the other side is offering – and will continue to offer. They are as real as the nose – the one so many of you are willing to cut off out of spite – on your face.

I come not to bury the Democratic party, but to praise it. Not because I believe all of its representatives are without fault – but because I believe that its representatives who are at fault can be eliminated, one by one, by US. Not because I agree with a Democratic president all the time, but because I know I will be in agreement with him more than I will ever be in agreement with the alternative.

If the eight years of BushCo did nothing else, it did accomplish this: the lines have been drawn, and it’s us or them. I’ve chosen my priority, picked a side. I’m with us, and I’m staying in.

And I’m staying in for a million reasons – some of monumental importance, others of trivial meaning, many of passing fancy and/or little/great consequence when all is said and done.

But mostly because I’ve seen the alternative. And the thought of such people being in power scares the shit out of me.

That's the truth. And in light of that truth, whatever your personal truth may be and whatever personal conduct it invokes, is forever devoid of persuasion.

I'm in - and I'm stayin' in.