Times like these

As we are about to embark on a new House and potentially a new Senate; be careful not to get too nostalgic about the "good ol' days." Why it may seem like I disagree with every single action taken by our President and his office - I can't help but imagine how the next two years could be a set up for the next scariest thing in the world (next to George W changing laws which would allow him to run for the Presidency again) - Jeb.

Those of you who watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report may be familiar with the fear that I speak of. The two comedians, Stewart and Colbert, put on a brilliant hour of political humor so neatly intertwined with blatant, yet intentional, partisan views. Where else can you watch a liberal character put on a show based on politics and have that show followed up by a conservative character also commenting on the current political atmosphere?

The point is, these two comedians brought up a great point the other night. The Democrats were handed the House and Senate the second George W's approval rating hit 30% in most states. 30%. 3 in 10 people approved of the President and his course of action. 3. Out of 10.

Unreal

The Democrats don't really have a clear course of action as of yet. They pretty much just oppose everything the Republicans do, and that wins them the favor of our "lefty" friends. In the coming months, Saddam Hussein is going to be hung by the neck, using a rope - while patrons look on and throw tomatoes and heads of lettuce. The sheriff will slap the horse in the butt, and the horse will run away pulling out the floor beneath his feet and he will fall to this death: snap. The crowd will cheer and the fun will end - when outraged Iraqi's bomb the living shit out of people in retaliation.

How would you expect a country to react if their leader (evil or not) was hunted down for a year, cities bombed, families killed, and then your fearless leader is pulled out of the ground and hauled off to court. In a short year he is found guilty of crimes against Humanity and not only is he punished by death, but he is punished by a public hanging!!

I can't imagine the outrage and terror that is going to spread as a result of this. The only thing we can hope for, the appeals process is successful and he is put in jail for life. But here is the real ass-kicker: What happens when Saddam is hung, and the Iraqi's react with terrorist-like acts? The Republicans will jump up and start pointing the finger, right at the Democratic Congress. Allow me to demonstrate the conversation that will ensue:

Elephant: The Democratic Leadership in this country failed us again. They allowed known terrorists to bomb our land and kill our people. We need leaders in this country, people who are willing to get their hands dirty to get the job done and protect our borders. Vote for Jeb Bush.

Donkey: The Republican Leadership over the past 12 years has done nothing to secure our people and our safety. It was on their watch that America suffered the most tragic and painful terrorist attack in our history. It was their call to go into Iraq and abduct their Leader to put him on trial. Don't let the Republican Party fool you into believing they are fighting terrorism, if they are; then where is Osama? Why do the Canadians make more progress on finding him than we do?

Elephant: It was the previous incumbent's lack of devotion to national security that led to the attacks on 9/11. While he was busy having an affair with interns, the terrorists were busy learning how to fly planes in our schools, in our country.

Donkey: The Republicans will do anything they can to draw your attention to this war on terrorism and distract you from the most embarrassing and disgusting acts of perversion occurring right in our own White House.

Elephant: If you allow a Democratic White House to lead this country, you will find yourselves locking your doors at night to keep out the terrorists. Every day you go to work, you'll hesitate before you driver over that bridge or into that tunnel. You won't be safe with them. Stick with us if you want to live.

Donkey: If you allow a Republican White House, this country will continue to divide itself. No President in history has had lower approval ratings than your current President. If you allow anyone associated with him and his policy to lead this country, they will lead it into the ground; all the while making money for them and their companies.

Elephant: Do you want men marrying men? Do you want men adopting unwanted children and raising gay boys for their sick and twisted sex games that all those gays play? Do you want this country overflowing with gayness and evilness and sin? If you do, vote Democratic.

Donkey: Do you want your son or daughter or brother shipped overseas to fight a war with no purpose beyond the procurement of oil? Do you want the fat cat corporate exec's to get more tax breaks while your taxes are hiked and then spent on continuing a failing war? If you do, vote Republican.

Clearly, neither of these sides have any real issues or plans of action that have anything to do with the sole purpose of government - serve the people. Last night I heard crazy Dean talking about the Democratic Congress would immediately look into hiking up the Federal Minimum Wage (getting closer to an actual living wage), alternative fuel research, and a plan to provide insurance to every person in America under 25. All I really wanted to hear was, "We are looking to put the same money we put into war, into our schools and health care." Trillions. Our current government has put Trillions of dollars into this war. If we put just 5% of that into public education, every school could have new books, supplies, stronger and safer infrastructure's, higher paid teachers (which makes them motivated teachers).

But then again, it's easy for us people down here to look up at the disaster and identify what needs to be fixed. We don't have to worry about losing our jobs if we don't do exactly what our contributors say. We don't have to worry about being "villainized" for actions that people in our office take. We have to impress our boss and get our job done - which is pretty easy to do.

I used to believe I was a strong liberal. Then college came around the corner and I became even more leftist. Now that I am living life, renting and paying taxes up the yang, I start to disassociate myself from any political party because they are all... lying scumbags. Every single one of them is a lying scumbag. I would like to believe at some point they had motives to improve the lives of those around them, and they just got sucked into the machine and spat out as a lying scumbag robot. The frustration that mounts in my skull from thinking about this is enough to dissuade me from wanting to participate in any electoral event.

However, it is at this point that I realize my voice is more important than it ever was. I've always said that I'd rather people just vote for a party they feel best represents them. Now I believe we need to vote for the people that appear to be the least evil and scummy. No single party or politician represents everything that I want to change in this country. The only people who share similar views are theorists, friends, and the occasional random person. It's my responsibility to use my knowledge, spread that knowledge and encourage others to learn first, then vote. Take that extra minute to ignore the slanderous TV commercial and read about the politician you want to vote for. Open a newspaper, go to Reuters.com, just do something other than watch TV and vote for the guy with the best hair or smile.

Last term it was "Vote or Die." This year, we should all wear t-shirts that say "Vote = Change."