Let me begin by asking you a series of questions. What do you hope for in the coming national election? Do you hope for sweeping changes in policy and direction? Do you hope to continue the battle against terrorism and tyranny? Do you hope that somebody in the government will pay all your bills so that you can do whatever you please? What is it that you hope for and what will you waste your vote on? I know what I will waste my vote on, but I will not divulge this information for the appearance of being objective. Right about now I have some of you angry and some of you interested and with this in mind I shall continue.
That is right, I used the word “waste” to describe your and my vote this coming November. You will probably chastise me by saying that our “vote” is what makes America what it is. It is what makes us the greatest country in the world, the fact that we can choose - by our own free will - our leaders and policy makers. If this is the case then why is the country of Iraq in such a mess. Haven’t they held multiple “free” elections in the recent months? What about the countless other countries around the world that hold “free” elections. Why do these countries not claim to be the greatest in civilization? What exactly is the power of voting, at least in today’s world?
I can tell you that I voted successfully in every general and primary election that have been available to me since I became a registered voter at the tender and ignorant age of eighteen. I have always voted for the candidate that best represents my values, beliefs and the direction I would like to see my city, state and country take. I have voted for winners and losers alike and one thing stands out as the result of my vote. My city, state and country are still not headed in a direction that pleases me. This sounds like a selfish statement but isn’t that the idea behind voting. Giving power to every citizen to have a voice in the direction of our society. Yet somehow in every election there are millions of people represented by losers in the game of politics. That’s right, in November tens of thousands of you will vote for the loser! You will not win, your candidate will lose and you will go unrepresented on the national stage for at least the next four years. There is something quite unsettling about that, don’t you think? It doesn’t matter what side your on, at some point you will lose and your idea of success will lose as well. On top of that, you don’t really have a voice in the government anyway. The only real influence in our national government is the ridiculously wealthy and the major players in the world of business (and that is on both sides of the isle). At this point you probably think that I am some kind of anarchist that believes in a true government of the people. I couldn’t be further from that.
I do not think we should scrap the system of democracy or that we should stop holding elections. I do believe these are foundational parts of our country’s design and of our society. I do, however, think that there needs to be a fundamental change in how our elections are accomplished. We the people of the United States of America need to reclaim the process of selecting our leadership from the tyrannical two-party political system. The two parties of our political system are severely failing in the process right now. There is a destructive tear down the middle of our beloved country that pits our citizens against one another. Our society is polarized to the point of implosion. Do you think I’m crazy or wrong? Then you should listen to talk radio or watch the programs on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, etc…for one week and then see if you can claim that America is united in its direction.
I have gotten a little jacked up on this subject and it is time to put a lid on it. I am proud to live in the greatest country in the history of the world. I thank God everyday that he blessed me with freedom and choice. I love my city, my state and my country and I would be willing to die for the beliefs and ideals that we are founded upon. However I do know one thing. If we don’t reign in our elected officials and their lust for power and influence then we the citizens will pay the price and quite frankly I’m not prepared to foot that bill. Thanks for reading.
God Bless!
Posted by albertpower 