今日は、テキサス州とオハイオ州で大統領候補者選びの投票が行われます。ヒラリーとオバマは、これで民主党の代表になれるかどうかが決まりそうで、こっちでは相当盛り上がってる。LGBTに対する政策は、どっちがいいのか気になるところだけど、今年は前回の大統領選と違って、経済問題とか移民問題とか山積なので、同性結婚の話題はほとんど聞かない・・・残念なことだ。
Today people in Texas and Ohio are voting for presidential nominees. It looks like either Hillary or Obama will be confirmed as a democratic candidate depending on who will win in these two states, so there's a fuss. I am curious which candidate has better policy against LGBT community but this issue is put on back burner because there are many other issues such as economy and immigration reform. That's a pity.
ジェームスは、州の所得税がないテキサスを居住地として登録してるので、免許証もテキサス州発行だし、今回の投票もテキサス州でするらしい。遠隔投票の青色の用紙が、郵便で届いてた。ジェームスが、「ヒラリーとオバマだったらどっちに投票する？」なんて聞いてきたので、今の勢いからすると、オバマ優勢かなぁと思って、「オバマ」って答えておいた。そしたら、昨日になって、「オバマに投票しといた」って返事。え、もしかして僕の意見で投票相手を決めてたりした？
James (a.k.a. my former b/f and current best friend) has registered as a resident in Texas, so he has a Texas driver's license and will vote as a Texan today. Since he is actually living with me in the East Coast, he used an absentee ballot. The other day, he got a blue envelope for that. James asked me, "Which would you vote, Hillary or Obama?" I replied, "Obama" because he has been winning straight through last several states. Yesterday, James told me that he actually voted for Obama. Did he decide because of what I said?
ジェームスも、ヒラリーとオバマの両者で決めかねてたらしく、政策も似てるし、両方、マイノリティー（女性、黒人）だし、民主党なので、どっちでもいいっちゃーいいらしい。同性結婚についても、両者の立場はよくわかんないし。マケインに勝てそうな候補者っていうので考えて、国会議員暦の短いオバマのほうが、ワシントンＤＣのロビイストとかの結びつきが少なそうで、汚い過去がなさそうなオバマのほうが有利かなぁっていうのもオバマを選んだ一因とか。ただ、昨晩、オバマと汚職容疑をかけられた人物とのつながりが報道されてたけど・・・。
James seemed to find it difficult to choose between Hillary and Obama. Their policies are similar, both of them are minorities (as a woman and black man), but both democrat. So, it does not matter really. Their standing points are not clear about same sex marriage. So a factor that Obama has a shorter history in Washington, DC and looks less corrupt since he seems not to have a close relationship with lobbyists and other interest groups, making him a better candidate against McCain. Though, last night a man who was charged for a corruption was reported to have a close relationship with Obama...
アメリカで同性結婚が合法化されるといいなー。けど、僕は、その前にグリーンカードがそろそろ取れそうっす。昨日、国務省の掲示板でグリーンカードの発行時期を見てみたら、2005年1月になって僕のPD(プライオリティー・デイト)がカレントになってた！これが続けば、あとはI-140が処理されれば晴れて永住権が手に入ります。
I hope that the same sex marriage will be enacted soon. But it seems I will get a green card before that. When I checked the State Department Bulletin yesterday, my Priority Date was current! If this PD remains or proceeds next few months and my I-140 is approved, I will get my permanent residency status finally.
