There is one thing that we all should be very happy about this year.....for once, at least in my opinion, we have two wonderful candidates for President. I hope that neither slips too far into that quagmire of wanting to be the "Good Little Party Boy", the leader of the fringe of their respective political parties while trying to maintain a centrist message that will capture just the right amount of electoral votes from the correct color of states. Who picked red and blue anyway?
Since we seem to have done the party selection process with some positive results, could we now look at the Electoral College? I really do dislike it. It really is why we have had the last eight dismal years and it may reflect what happens in future elections as well. Why can't we just have the best man win? How is that one man can win the popular vote of this country and have it not mean anything? It just does not make sense. It certainly makes for some interesting reporting but it also steals away the each vote counts idea.
Both the Obama camp and the McCain camp already have a list of states where they will not campaign. We are lucky here in New York that even though this is considered a solid Obama state, both will appear because of the vast amount of cash each can get from New York State. The same holds true for Californina. Can you imagine being in Nebraska? Small amount of electoral votes, below the national medium of income and solid red. They won't see much of this election. No long-winded half baked political commercials, no thousands of laws signs, no debates and "outside groups" calling each candidate names.....no swift boating of Obama...... Maybe there is something to be said about Nebraska after all.
I would love to see us adopt a shorter Primary Season with actual votes and no caucuses. I would love to see the expense of the Electoral College go to pay off our ever increasing national debt and I would love to see campaigns capped for expenses and free TV and radio ads for candidates on the public airways. I would like to see a vote total that counted and a reason for all candidates to work in all states to get the votes out. I like the word change, but make it worth something, not just a political word used for expediency of your campaign while toting around lobbiest and cronies and collecting the cash.
My most recent "props" go out to Laura Bush, who correctly answered and defended Michelle Obama about her "proud for the first time in my life comment" Mrs. Bush actually thought the press and the public should back off....if politicians and those campaigning can not mispeak or say something off the cuff.... we will have a very dull "sound bite" type of campaign. Mrs. Obama did not deserve the grief and the educated public certainly did accept her explanation. It was only on the "fair and balanced" network - which in itself is such a laugh - that it kept living much longer than it deserved. Mrs. Obama said it, she explained it and that was that. Cindy McCain, the multi-million dollar "Beer Queen" of Arizona brought it up again. She better watch out because what goes around comes around. You can bet that there are many out there watching her every word and past words to catch her with something.... oh and they will.
So we end up with two qualified candidates, we have the debate over the summer, the conventions in August, the commercials in the fall and then the election. Let's just remember, it is important. It should be treated with respect. It should not become the news reporters that are making the news. Oh and the "fair and balanced" network should take a lesson on truth in advertising. Then we truly would have a wonderful election.....Don't forget to vote (especially if your state is deemed purple).
