A Few Good Men (and Women)
I'm normally a pretty optimistic guy. I can usually be found looking on the bright side, hoping for and expecting the best. I believe in the good of mankind. I've always looked for the best in people, and I have a tendency to take them at their word until given a reason to do otherwise.
Not so much anymore.
This isn't about John Edwards specifically; it's more about politicians in general. Edwards' ignominy is just the most recent shining example of the character of our illustrious elected leaders. This is a guy who made a pretty serious run at the most powerful position in the world, and he's a confirmed cheater and an admitted liar. I'm inclined to believe he's also a thief.
I'm fed up with Democrats and Republicans alike. If the current roster of Senators and Congresspeople are a sample of the best people that America has to offer, we're all doomed.
The lies are so blantant, and told with a smile and a gleam in the eye of the teller. And it's not just a few of them. Seems like every politician is a liar. I'm sure that's not true (there's my optimism again), but take just a couple of examples.
Bammy (my sobriquet for President Obama) runs on a platform of "Change We Can Believe In", and gets elected. Most Americans recognize the need for change, and we put our money where our mouth is and elected the first black president in American history. During his campaign, Bammy promised the American people that his administration would be different, no more Washington insider bullshit. He promised that no lobbyists would be appointed to his administration. Then, it seemed like everyone he tried to appoint to his staff were not only lobbyists, but HAD NOT PAID THEIR FUCKING TAXES! Tom Daschle, anyone? Not a lobbyist? Uh, okay. Also, he owed $140,000 in back taxes and interest. A fine upstanding citizen. Timothy Geithner, Bammy's pick for Treasury Secretary, owed $34,000 in back taxes and $8,000 in interest! Really? What a surprise.
Way to live up to your word, Bammy.
And how about that Sarah Palin? What a fine character she is. Gets elected Governor of Alaska, and is subsequently chosen by John McCain to be his running mate as Vice President. She comes on strong, gets the Republican Party fired up with her sexy mouth and well-toned legs, and promptly shows her ignorance on national TV during the infamous Katie Couric interview. She's completely clueless about world affairs. She comes across like a total bimbo. My heart was broken, and I began to question McCain's judgement. Then, after they lost the election, Palin fucking QUITS her job as Governor! Really, Sarah? And now people are talking about her potentially running for President? God save us all.
"The only thing required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing."
This quote has been attributed to several different people over the years but no one knows for sure who originated it. Doesn't matter. It's the truth.
posted by Wonderwood @ 7:31 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Welcome, brother. The only good politician is a retired politician. And even then they're dangerous.
Term limits for Congress would be a great start. The arguments people have against them is that the good politicians are thrown out with the bad (already addressed that), and that it would give more power to staff, lobbyists, and bureaucracy. But anyone who's been paying even the slightest bit of attention over the last several years knows that Senators and Representatives don't actually write or read the bills they vote on anyway, so it would seem the staff, lobbyists, and bureaucracy already have a lot of the power.
And then from the insiders you get the, "Well it takes a lot of time and energy and money to get elected. If you could only serve one term, nobody would do it." When what they really mean is nobody like them would do it. There are plenty of capable people in this country who don't confuse "public servant" with "doorway to untold riches."
I'm a closet optimist in that I like to think people will someday wake up and get tired of being duped every 2, 4, or 6 years. Deep down though I know it's just wishful thinking. Like voting for Obama.
I hear you, BT. I think people might be starting to wake up, though. A Republican Senator being elected in MA is a pretty strong signal, I think. I just hope the People On High recognize it for what it is.
Personally, I'm becoming more and more interested in the Libertarian Party. I read Ron Paul's book, The Revolution - A Manifesto, and he sings a good song. I'm inclined to believe, based on his history, that he is sincere, and I like his idea of a decentralized government that is based on the Constitution. This is nothing new, it's just been forgotten over the years by the majority of the population. But I think people are getting angry enough now to demand real change, not just different degrees of the same old bullshit. I think you and I have similar feelings on a lot of what is happening right now, and if you haven't read The Revolution, I highly recommend it.
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