I have wanted to write something about the election, our
candidates, and our “choices” in the upcoming election for a while. I waited as
I watched, read, listened, and tried to get a handle on what I actually want to
write. With that introduction, here I go.
Every election since the1990s has been presented by one or
both parties as “the most important election of our lifetimes. We are again
faced with “THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIMES”! Maybe it is, maybe
it isn’t. The bottom line is, we have survived all the other votes and will
survive this one as well. The real danger here, as I see it, is the lack of
empathy, understanding, and acceptance of those with thoughts other than your
own. I have seen more name calling and hatred in this election cycle that I
think I have seen in at least any other two cycles. There has always been
rancor and name-calling, but most were in understanding that it was an
election, and life must go on afterwards. Now seems more of a “scorched-earth”
policy has taken hold of the populace. “If you want any candidate other than
the one I support, you are not worthy to even have an opinion!”, seems to be
the mantra. This is accompanied by the thought that if you do not elect my
candidate the country is doomed. Let me just say, I have more faith in our
country than that. Yes, the President has a lot of power. However, the
Constitution is specifically set up to limit that power. It has served that
purpose for well over 200 years. Unless we toss it aside, it will serve us for
many more.
As for “the most important election…” end of the world
predictions: In the past 14 Presidential elections we have never had over 64%
of the eligible voters* to actually vote. In addition, we have averaged around
70% of potential eligible voters** to even register. These “most important
elections” are being decided by under half of the people that potentially could
(and should?) vote! This is one of the biggest problems I see. The majority of
the voters and potential voters out there don’t really care. There are two
classes of these IMHO: 1) those that get “paid” by the government and just don’t
want anything to happen that would stop the funds from coming, or 2) those that
think their vote wouldn’t mean anything anyway. (that being said, I just
thought of a third – 3) those that don’t want to vote or even register as they
are just living their life and don’t want the government to know who or where
they are!) I will admit I have what some consider radical ideas about who
should and should not be allowed to vote, but that is for another time. I also believe
in the rule of law and eligible voters are specifically defined by law. So, we
should work on getting our eligible population to vote. They need to be made
aware of the issues, the platforms, and then they should vote. Having our
government decided by less than 50% of potential voters is a travesty!
Now to the election of 2016. Our obsession with news 24
hours a day, our short attention spans that are always looking for the next
thing, and our social media addiction, has led us to this point. We have two
greatly flawed candidates. Trump is an egotistical, narcissistic blowhard that
believes water was made for him to walk upon. Hillary is a sociopathic, lying megalomaniac
that feels the job is “owed” to her. We deserve better choices. That being said
– those are our choices. Oh I know we have Gary Johnson and Jill Stein in most
states, but let’s get real. A vote for either of those is no more than a
protest vote. (which this year, if any, I can understand!)
I was going to do a bit of a campaign commercial now, but in
the interest of this getting read and spread around more I decided to not do
so. I just ask that you look past the media, the “leaks”, the Facebook posts,
and all the other “noise” and vote for who you truly feel will do the country
less harm. Yes, that is all I really can hope for – less harm. Look at the
party platforms. Go to the actual websites and campaign propaganda both
candidates have put out and see what THEY actually have said, not what the
media reported. Then VOTE your conscience.
* eligible
voters in this discussion means meeting any legal requirements such as proper
registration
** potential
eligible voters in this discussion means of legal age and meeting any residency
requirements
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