  So,  yawn,  the Democratic Convention is underway in Boston. nbsp;  I have watched snatches of it -  and I say snatches because it nauseates me to watch more than about 5 minutes at a time.
nbsp;  I don't have the vote here as I'm not a citizen nor a green card holder ( kind of ironic that& nbsp; I now get to experience what it is like to be disenfranchised like so many of my fellow- South Africans were for decades)
nbsp;  but as usual,  I am fairly interested in what goes on around me,  so I've tried to learn what I can about Kerry and Edwards. nbsp;  I'm still not sure what to make of them -
 I am quite put off by their pretty- boy looks ( especially Edwards)  and their huge personal wealth.  How can someone with millions of dollars truly appreciate the needs of the average American? nbsp;
 I sat and listened to speeches,  the promises,  Edwards tonight declaring " there is HOPE"  and I just don't buy any of it. nbsp;
 Has there be any improvement in access to healthcare here in the last 50 years?  Is homelessness dead?  Are the impoverished less impoverished?  Are American children better educated now?  My guess is that nothing really changes& nbsp;
 here,  not for the masses.  It nauseates me to see the rapture on the crowds' faces as they take in the speeches,  the loud music,  dancing,  glitz and glamor of flashing screens etc.
I think about what this circus must cost -  couldn't the money be better spent? nbsp;  I hate the fact that you have to& nbsp;  have money to get into office in this country.
 If I'm sounding communist or socialist,  so be it.  I don't see either as& nbsp; a dirty word.  There are up sides to all economic systems,
 and downsides too. nbsp;  Lately I'm seeing a whole,  ugly side to capitalism,  and it upsets me profoundly. nbsp;
 Take for example how the quality of one's whole life in this country is dependent on a number.  Your credit score. nbsp;  Take for example how credit card companies continually try to entice people into obtaining new credit cards,  then get you into a hole of debt that you cannot get out of because of crippling interest and other 'hidden' charges.  I think it's criminal!
nbsp;  And then you have me who can't get a fucking credit card because I have no credit history due to only having a social security number for 2 years. nbsp; nbsp;  So I have to do ridiculous things like give my bank half my savings in return for a bank loan that I don't want or need,  purely for the reason of trying to establish my credit.
 So I gave the bank x amount,  they then gave me the same amount,  and now I have to pay off the loan at interest of course,  so I'm losing money doing something I really didn't need to do,  but for the chance that it MAY help me establish credit.  The only up side of all this crap is that it is practically impossible for me to get into debt cos I can't get a credit card!
 I am happy to be in America,  and like many aspects of life here,  but the above just sickens me to the core.  SM 
