Election Day, Worst Day of the Year
I know what
you’re thinking: Election Day isn’t until—just a moment, let me verify—November
8th. Okay then, on a Tuesday. Allow me to disagree. My election day is over, my
vote counted, and now let Hilary and the Donald continue their schoolyard fight
without me. Thank you, early voting.
This is, by
far, the most dreadful period of American life, especially any election coverage
involving the presidency. I remember how blissful I felt about the Olympics as
a kid, especially the Summer Olympics every four years. All hail to the
runners, pole vaulters and synchronized swimmers. Now think of the elections as
the Olympics, except that the athletes are usually old and wealthy and can’t
run worth a lick, let alone talk. The athletes at the Olympics are wound up and
are ready to burst out of the gates, the athletes at the elections are wound
up, usually by some corporate CEO.
Recently, while reading in a waiting room at the doctor’s, I read a publication, courtesy of the Evangelical Association. Their job is much easier than our job as the average Joe Voter. We like to listen to what a candidate would like to do with our foreign policy, how to lower the national debt, or alter our tax code. What to do about climate change? The Evangelical Association isn’t as picky. In their publication, they highlight the positions of each candidate on abortion and abortion alone.
So, let’s get this straight. That’s a voting block that will burn themselves to the ground like protesting Buddhist monks before they will vote for anybody who is pro-choice. Hey, there’s a plan to reduce the national debt by three trillion dollars over the next 10-15 years. There is a peace proposal for the Middle East. Here is a tax relief for the middle class. We are going to cut fossil fuels by half in the next three decades. Heck, even a minimum wage increase might be in the cards. Sounds good. But it doesn’t matter if you’re pro-choice. And no, this is far from an endorsement for Hilary.
The presidential campaign is enough of a nightmare as it is. There is very little substance in what is being said these days. There are debates, and there are heavy questions that won’t ever be asked. Oh, and did we mention there are only two candidates attending the debate, representing the same two parties who have yesterday’s answers to tomorrow’s problems?
While the masses admire you, the presidential candidate, as some superstar jock like Joe Montana, your job is to be Joe Smith, the college quarterback who can protect the ball, the QB who won’t take any risks. Don’t go for the long ball. To appease everybody, let’s throw the short passes that have a better chance of success with the fans (voters). Avoid turnovers. And scandals. Especially scandals.
Which is why Bernie Sanders was never going to have a chance. His talk about free health care and free education sounded more like a Hail Mary pass to most voters. The question remains why the Christian fundamentalists don’t vote for him with that term. Simple, because he’s pro-choice. Barry Sanders could look like Christ himself with the beard, the staff, and the holes in his hands and it will make no difference if he is pro-choice. Also see other single issue groups like NRA. Now do foreigners understand why either a Trump or a Dubya or a Bill Clinton can get half of the vote?
I won’t even talk about the campaigns for the Senate or the House. Heck, even with an approval rating of 10%, Congress feels like it’s still central to our democratic process. Now they need to convince their tired constituencies.
But it’s done now, and we can roll up the carpets for another four years.
And enough with the horror stories. This is as political as you will ever read me. Back to the weather. Then back to the travel page, Tom. And wake me up when November ends.
Recently, while reading in a waiting room at the doctor’s, I read a publication, courtesy of the Evangelical Association. Their job is much easier than our job as the average Joe Voter. We like to listen to what a candidate would like to do with our foreign policy, how to lower the national debt, or alter our tax code. What to do about climate change? The Evangelical Association isn’t as picky. In their publication, they highlight the positions of each candidate on abortion and abortion alone.
So, let’s get this straight. That’s a voting block that will burn themselves to the ground like protesting Buddhist monks before they will vote for anybody who is pro-choice. Hey, there’s a plan to reduce the national debt by three trillion dollars over the next 10-15 years. There is a peace proposal for the Middle East. Here is a tax relief for the middle class. We are going to cut fossil fuels by half in the next three decades. Heck, even a minimum wage increase might be in the cards. Sounds good. But it doesn’t matter if you’re pro-choice. And no, this is far from an endorsement for Hilary.
The presidential campaign is enough of a nightmare as it is. There is very little substance in what is being said these days. There are debates, and there are heavy questions that won’t ever be asked. Oh, and did we mention there are only two candidates attending the debate, representing the same two parties who have yesterday’s answers to tomorrow’s problems?
While the masses admire you, the presidential candidate, as some superstar jock like Joe Montana, your job is to be Joe Smith, the college quarterback who can protect the ball, the QB who won’t take any risks. Don’t go for the long ball. To appease everybody, let’s throw the short passes that have a better chance of success with the fans (voters). Avoid turnovers. And scandals. Especially scandals.
Which is why Bernie Sanders was never going to have a chance. His talk about free health care and free education sounded more like a Hail Mary pass to most voters. The question remains why the Christian fundamentalists don’t vote for him with that term. Simple, because he’s pro-choice. Barry Sanders could look like Christ himself with the beard, the staff, and the holes in his hands and it will make no difference if he is pro-choice. Also see other single issue groups like NRA. Now do foreigners understand why either a Trump or a Dubya or a Bill Clinton can get half of the vote?
I won’t even talk about the campaigns for the Senate or the House. Heck, even with an approval rating of 10%, Congress feels like it’s still central to our democratic process. Now they need to convince their tired constituencies.
But it’s done now, and we can roll up the carpets for another four years.
And enough with the horror stories. This is as political as you will ever read me. Back to the weather. Then back to the travel page, Tom. And wake me up when November ends.
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