Thinking About the Election: I Might Be A Cynic
First I want to say, I know that politics can be a fiery topic, and I realize that. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and this is one of many for me. Take it for what it's worth, and you're of course welcome to disagree. Moving on...
A favorite radio show host of mine used to say, "tell me where you sit, before you tell me where you stand," so I'm going to do just that. I was born and raised in Indiana, and many of my fellow Hoosiers have, I have grown up in a fairly conservative environment. As I have matured, I have found myself drifting from that perspective, but more in a third direction rather than left or right. I consider myself a libertarian, believing in a number of principles from either side, but my main sentiment in regard to government is that it is bloated far beyond what it should be. In my mind, the government should be there to perform in a role of core functionality.
What it feels like to me, heading in to this election, is that no one is getting it. We've got some very serious issues facing our nation, and everyone is pointing the finger at President Bush. Now don't get all foamy at the mouth, you silly liberal, I'm not saying that Bush is or was the greatest president ever, or that he's done an excellent job in the past few years. The man is obviously tired. He's given nearly a decade of his life to the country and characterizing him as "evil" and blindly speculating about conspiracy is not only unproductive, but stupid. His time is over, it's history.
The thing that people have to realize is that the executive branch is a limited role. The president is in the spotlight, but what he actually does is perform as a figurehead for our government, and if we're lucky (which we have not been this past term), provide some leadership. He does not control the economy, single-handedly make decisions to go to war, or eat our babies. The point I'm making is that the executive branch is a minor part of our problem.
Our problem is ...are you ready for this? Congress. It's that simple. Everyone wants to quote the presidents approval rating, but in fact the congressional approval rating is far more abysmal, not scoring more than 15% in 2008. The fact is until our congress starts performing, we will be doomed to more of the same. The main problem that we have is, in my view is campaign finance, but that's another topic altogether. Forget the president, worry about the people representing you when we're writing these laws and passing corporate bailout bills weighed down with pork.
Give some thought to your pick this year, but forget about the part that really matters and that's the congress. Either presidential pick will do, both are good picks, or you can do what I'm doing (as a Colorado resident) don't worry about it, the electorate will decide your vote for you. Your vote matters, but only in the case of congress, get over the presidential campaign.