01/05/2008: "Politics"
I don't wish to put anyone down with this message but I can't help but think each time when this happens that I'm hearing a list of promises of things that will never come to pass. It's as if promoting yourself for the presidency is merely sucking up to what everyone wants to hear and not actually what anyone is going to accomplish. It isn't to say that no President has no accomplishments under their belt, but at the same time, I just wonder how many things they said they wanted to do and did not get done.
I won't blame it all on one person as I think that's not the case. I personally believe that many who try for the presidency and even those who win it, do so and have a rude awakening later of what they can and cannot do in what is imagined to be the most powerful postion in the world. Not only in limitations of there own responsibilities but also realizing how much of an affect the other branches of the US government have on possible laws and bills to help society.
I don't care if people will argue this or not but I still think that using an electoral vote system instead of popular vote is actually in effect unfair to the individual voter. Not only that but the election in itself seems more like a popularity contest more than anything. Whoever spends the most money or is in the most magazines or gets the most exposure is going to win it all usually and that isn't necessarily the best choice for the country.
I have another theory as well that in todays day and age the two-party system is outdated. I just don't think it's as effective as it used to be. Because even though you can claim to be one side or the other, find me a candidate that you absolutely agree with all of their ideals on, and make sure they are also on your side of the two parties. I believe both todays voters and todays candidates are all independents whether under a guise of a party to align with or not.
This year we also have multiple religious figures making an impressive attempt at the presidency, as if religion alone can win the election. I obviously wouldn't put down my own religion or anyone else's, but that doesn't automatically dictate a good candidate. The United States needs someone who gets things done. They cannot be a fence sitter and they have to get things accomplished and put forth the effort to make a difference. They cannot just be reactionary towards tragedies that occur, but they need to be proactive to accomplish changes to benefit both citizens of the United States and the other countries they interact with on an international level.
In the end here I hope that everyone goes out and votes this year. There are plenty of good candidates, some better than others, but it's all in the eye of the beholder and what you think is the most important aspect as your nations leader. Do you support gay marriage, do you want stiffer criminal punishments, do you want better gas prices or lower taxes? If so, closely examine your candidates and what not only there positions are, but look for what there plan is as well. If they don't have a plan I'd lift a curious eyebrow as to how they think they are going to achieve positive change then.
Vote for the candidate that you think is best and hopefully after the election this nation will be blessed with positive change for it's citizens and the nations allies as well.