2008 is another story
Don't get me wrong, read this with an open and critical mind. I have always been patriotic, conservative, without any leftist leanings. But most of that was based on the history I learned at school and no personal experience with the government engine.
Now at an older age and a very personally devastating view of the bowels of the judicial system I am very disillusioned with the propaganda taught to me in school. In the spirit of our founding father's I have some constructive criticism of our government gone awry. And that is far more patriotic than those who sit by and watch our country go down the tubes while waving a flag and singing a patriotic song. It takes far more than fluff to stand up for our once great country.
I DO believe our founding father's built a very superior government.
I DON'T believe we are living up to its ideals today.
So what happened? Well do you recall the famous line, "A government of the people, for the people, by the people". A three legged stool with all the legs broke. By the people, what people, our government is by the special interest, to hell with the average Joe because people don't participate. They are too busy with daily bullshit, TV, reality shows and the real reality of our government gone astray never gets noticed. Our fore father's envisioned government as a participatory not a spectator sport. our citizenry has abdicated their very critical responsibility.
Two Party System
Let me be clear from the start, I think our 2 party system is failing us. Today's debate is between dumb and dumber. Both these parties need to be disbanded and replaced by parties that truly serve the people. I don't mean communism or socialism, I mean parties that truly serve the people, not special interests. As Ralph Nader said, in the history of the US, all great movements forward were initiated by a third party and that isn't possible today.
For the sake of argument, lets say you were a staunch Republican. Was Bush the best Republican for the job? There weren't any better Republicans in the entire country? NO!!! Even Jebb Bush governor of Florida would have made a better president. So why did we get the dumber one? Back Room Party Politics, that's why. Deal makers out of the public eye.
Voting
A basic way we participate in our democracy is by voting. But how many people vote? A minority! And how informed are they and by who? There is lots of coverage about the main executives (Mayor, Governor, President), less so on the legislative, and hardly anything on the Judicial Branch.
We have a free press but how open is the main stream press. Kind of like the same crap in surround sound. Who does the tough stuff, the investigation, the exposes. Far less of that and most people look at it with a suspicious eye, they don't want to hear it.
Political Dynasties
Kennedy, Bush, Clinton
Local dynasties... in our town we have several families
One family name beginning in R had the honor of full page coverage twice in the last few months. One was my judge, criticized for working only 3 hours a day and having the worst record the state. The other is my judges brother, the county auditor who has over 90 political connections on various government payrolls. The FBI and IRS recently raided his residence along with another top ranking county commissioner without notifying local law enforcement. Last year we had a judge who went by her maiden name, decide to change to her married name while in the process of divorcing the famous last name. She had a terrible judicial record and almost won but for the heavy publicity on her name change before election stunt.
How did she get (almost) elected? Her famous last name! How must the qualified opponent feel to have almost lost because her name wasn't part of the local dynasty roster? What does that say about the actions of the citizenry? Well it's not good!!!
Qualifications
Political friends
FEMA chief, no experience, screwed up Katrina
Justice department won't prosecute politically motivated issue, demand their resignations.
Congressman who cheat on their wives, solicit homosexual acts in public restrooms, ....
Media Influence
Vote for a winner, not the best candidate. You don't want to throw your vote away.
Who's a winner? Well the media tells you who to vote for.
So if you vote for who the media tells you too, then haven't you thrown your vote away?
Why vote if you are going to not have the courage to vote for the best candidate?
Early predictions with 1% in, why should California or Hawaii even vote, they've been told who will win before their polls close.
Issues
Gay marriage??? What about the divorce crisis and broken families in straight marriage? Should we address that first?
Oil crisis, that thing we experienced over 30 years ago and have not done a damn thing about?
Arguments that climate change is OK???
Outsourcing. Exploiting the third world.
Illegal Aliens.
Terrorism.
Companies moving their address offshore to avoid US taxes.
Class War
Upper class - golden parachutes, lifetime security
Middle class - drowning
Poor - have programs
Lazy, burned out - take advantage of programs, work the system
Special Interest Influence
Billions in lobbying
Moral......
Status: Rough Draft - Last Updated 07/05/08 2:45 AM
