There’s a fine line between common sense and ignorance. For years, it seem that some politicians and their constituents alike are edging closer and closer toward the ignorance side of the political spectrum.
So let’s talk about the current political environment: The republicans versus the democrats. There are those on the far right and left that are aggressively hammering out their talking points. Then there are those that are too passive while taking the bait.
As an Independent, I have negatives with both parties. First of all, the GOP and some democrats seem to have selective amnesia when regarding the Bush-era landscape-not too long ago. During those eight years, the country’s problems were a train wreck in slow motion. The economy was faltering. The national security was a disgrace. There was so much vile and distrust. Healthcare, energy, taxes, foreclosures, education, et cetera a mess! Should I go on?
The Iraq war was unnecessary! The focus instead should have been on the Afghanistan war to capture Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda that was responsible for 9/11! There were plenty of other chances to capture or kill Bin Laden with previous administrations instead of on May 2, 2011.
The country’s woes were on a whirl wind track to disaster! It still is today, but the bleeding has slowed some. So the majority of the electorate voted those republicans out, which resulted in the Democratic takeover in 2006 and 2008 with both houses of congress and the white house. Then flip the House back to the republicans and the republicans gaining more seats in the senate, resulting in the tea party wave during the 2010 midterms.
So flash forward to today. Things are not going the way the public wants. Certain “changes” are being made but nothing is happening as fast as the public would like. We get that the public is impatient. But these things take time and it seems that our elected officials are too busy bickering and focusing on the next election and not paying attention to the country woes!
Recovery seems to be on the way for Wall Street and big business, but nowhere in sight for millions of unemployed and struggling individuals across the country. Prices are going up all across the board. From food to health care to education to utilities to gas prices.
It’s been over three years since this administration took office. And from the republican perspective, that’s enough time to undo almost a decade worth of Bush/Cheney disastrous policies. Of course, the president’s approval ratings are on a roller coaster. Up one moment and down the other, just like the republican candidates that are running for president. Every president’s poll numbers have its positive and negative spikes. When the country is doing well, everybody takes the little things for granted. And the president and the incumbent party’s approval ratings are going up. When the country is doing badly, such as times like these, the president and his incumbent party’s approval ratings are going down.
The gridlock between congress and the administration only hurts the American people in the middle of the fight. The predictions of the political landscape is definitely on the horizon to dirty gutter politics, especially contributing to the 2010 Supreme Court’s landmark ruling of Citizens United court case that’s resulting in corporations, labor unions, individuals and other special interest groups to spend unlimited amounts of money advertising supporting or opposing candidates.
In my reasonable opinion, the public should not blindly trust either party. It’s not a partisan debate on either one. The public needs to examine each candidate one on one and decide who is best for the job, regardless of party. Just pick the best candidates that will work for those who voted them in office. The euphoria and the hard work should not stop after the election but it should be the beginning of it. Citizens need to keep up with what their elected officials are doing in office. And these politicians should successfully listen and interact with their constituents and complete the job for the American people.
Nobody is psychic and they don’t know for sure what’s going to happen in the the 2012 presidential election between President Obama and what looks like the republican nominee Mitt Romney, and whether not either party take over one or the other or both houses of congress. If after the 2012 election, the white house and congress looks like it does now, then the political landscape will be as or even more divisive than it is now. Will the economy gradually heal or will it reverse course, will the Supreme Court uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or strike either the mandate and/or the entire law down.
It is true, elections have consequences. Poll numbers can only give opinions of the electorate’s mood during this snapshot in time as each campaign moves closer and closer to the election.
It is safe to say that if majority of the electorate is not satisfied with Obama and the congress, then they will be voted out during the 2012 election. But if the administration and the congress do what’s right by the public and if they convince the electorate to reelect them, then they will have another chance.
The GOP shouldn’t be too jolly with taking over the senate and a future white house, because if they do not have any alternative policies that will work for the public nor if they can find the appropriate candidate to win, then they will lose again. It’s not enough to criticize the president, hammer out talking points, and offer no alternatives of their own. (Constructive criticism and providing their own plans will give them a better and winning strategy with those independents they definitely need.) The average citizen will think, okay if this current administration’s policies are so bad for me, then what are your plans for me to vote for you instead?
Also the republicans and the tea party need to settle on a candidate before they break off into two parties and that is a disaster waiting to happen!
So how does a brilliant politician win an honest election? They are the ones in office that puts country ahead of party. Put the well-being of citizens above special interests. Do what’s right even though it may be wildly unpopular. Make the honest decisions even if the political climate will be poisonous. Tell the constituents what they need to hear instead of what they want. Don’t try to please everyone, if so they will fail. But they can meet everyone by compromising in the appropriate situations.
And that my friend, is how a good-not a Manchurian candidate-can win a fair and honest election! It can happen! Politicians might as well tell the truth, their constituents are going to find out once they are in office!
Note: Sadly, a lot of politicians are politically motivated, treating everyday like an election, and saying/doing things politically correct. The electorate should do their part too. Keep the focus on your elected officials. Know what is going on. Contact them and pressure them. If enough voters contact them and tell them that they will withhold their donations and support, then I guarantee that those politicians will pay attention to their constituents then!
So that’s why it’s up to you to understand the bigger picture and vote the ”working for the highest bidder” politicians out! In the end, money and ads can only go so far. The majority of the electorate, if that’s you, has the power to alter history.
