Posted by
oldscout on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 10:23:48 PM
ELECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Although still recovering from both a stroke and a quadruple
bypass, I was not going to miss a trip to the Chicago
area for my family’s annual reunion picnic.
Fortunately, my youngest daughter volunteered to do the driving on the
six hour trip.
During the weekend, I stayed with my sister and
brother-in-law. Not unexpectedly, we
discussed many things, including the upcoming presidential election. While my sister is still conflicted about who
to support, I was adamant when offering my opinion. Frankly speaking, I don’t like anybody. Since I am still suffering from some
shortness of breath from the by-pass, I cannot hold my nose long enough to vote
for any candidate. Neither the Democrats,
Republicans, Socialists, Libertarians or Greens have a nominee (presumptive or
otherwise) that meet my criteria of holding at least half of the positions I
feel are in the top ten that are most important to me.
My sister recently sent me a scientific definition of the
condition from which I suffer. Her
substantial medical background gives credence to her diagnosis, so I can say
with some certainty that I suffer from “Electile Dysfunction”. She defined this condition as follows;
Electile Dysfunction: The inability to become aroused over
any of the
choices for
President put forth by any party in the 2008 election
year.
I think I have identified why I suffer from this
condition. In a nation of almost 300
million citizens, we have been presented with a selection of potential leaders
comprised entirely of professional politicians.
What makes this disappointing is obvious when you use my definition of a
politician. A politician is someone who
is only interested in the next election cycle, and will say whatever he or she
thinks will generate the most votes in their favor. What I have been seeking is a statesman, one
who thinks of the next generation, regardless of the polls and special interest
pressure.
In looking over our history, most of the great leaders we
have been fortunate to have at critical times have not been professional
politicians. They came from varied
backgrounds, and had different careers and interests before seeking elected
office. In fact, our system was designed
to favor the part time political representative. They were expected to leave their regular
jobs for a few months, conduct the business of government in the shortest time
required, and return to their homes and real employment. But elected positions, certainly at the
national level, have now become a full time career. As that great philosopher, Kinky Friedman has
said, politics now attracts a particular type of person. When you define their career interest, simply
break down the root of the word. Poly
means many, and ticks are blood sucking insects. Hence, my current assessment of
politics. No wonder our congress has an
approval rating of 9%, and our president looks spectacular with an approval
rating of 29%. I am obviously not alone
in my assessment that we have serious issues facing our nation, and are in
desperate need of true leaders with our best interests at heart.
I think I will add a new criterion to my list of attributes
that candidates for office should exhibit if they want my support. I will look for a person who actually does
not want the job. I have come to the
conclusion that anyone who wants to be president is not a person I will vote
for. I say this because every candidate
has said that they are going to change the way we live, alter what we believe
in, tell us what we may or may not do, dictate what we can and cannot have, and
limit every choice that we now have available.
In other words, they all want to represent themselves, rather than us.
Once before, I had to endure a presidential election where
there was no candidate I felt I could support.
I chose instead to write in a name.
This time, I cannot even think of anyone to write in. And that is why I think my sister had
correctly diagnosed my condition.
Unfortunately, the prognosis is not good, and there is no cure on the
horizon.