It seems to me that the purpose to any VP (Vice President) candidate, is to provide some balance to the guy who is actually going to be President. In the few years I've been here, I've watched totally spell bound as the whole process of electing a President unfolds. There's drama, tears, laughter (mostly from the other side), copious kissing of babies and shaking of millions of hands (fortunately not in one day!) all in the hopes of being elected to the White House. One of the biggest "pre- Presidential" decisions a candidate has to make is the Veep choice. Technically, I've only been here long enough to witness, first hand, the fun and games of politics, for two administrations. Still, I think that's enough to get the "jist" of things as it were.
The Bush administration had Cheney. It was a interesting choice for many reasons. Mr Cheney seemed to be considered very experienced in politics which would help reassure those folks who were a little concerned about President's Bush competency and ability to lead the country. He was also controversial because of his numerous health issues. As President Bush's term stretched into a second term, there were many whispers by the conspiracy theorists that it was Mr Cheney who was in fact running things, not President Bush. One could forgive them for thinking that especially when Mr Cheney's "hunting mishap" hit the news. "If that's what happens to his friends, what on earth does he do to his enemies!" Of course, it was all poppycock! I do think Mr Cheney did give quite a bit of advice and input with regards to many matters, but I think President Bush, as much as a President can in this country, did run things - for the most part.
In my opinion, they were quite the "couple". One had a debonair way about him and another was clever and politically astute. One could easily get tongue tied and be "misunderestimated" and the other ... well, didn't say much at all, but things seemed to mysteriously happen in his presence. One was a regular feature in SNL's skits, the other was given a wide berth. The perfect compliment to each other!
When President Obama won the nomination of his party to run for president, the late night comics mourned. For eight years they had no shortage of material for their writers. Quite the opposite. They had so much, they spent a lot of time deciding which was the best quote/incident to use. Now here was this incredibly studious man. A man who wouldn't say things like "misunderestimate" and who chose his words very carefully. Then, this careful man, chose for his running mate, Joe Biden. The comedic world rejoiced and thanked the gods of Comedy for ensuring that there would once again be sufficient material to keep the writers busy for those all important monologues they all love to do. Sadly, Mr Biden has been fairly low key. A dropped "F-bomb" here, an unfortunate turn of phrase there. Nothing as dramatic as shooting someone or supposedly running a shadow government. But I do think that Mr Biden does bring balance to the President Obama's ticket. He connects with people with a very easy going "every man" kind of style. He has an air of approachability to him. I suspect he can tell a really mean joke!
It is with great interest that I watch the interaction between Mr Romney and Mr Ryan. I wonder what kind of dynamic Mr Ryan will bring. Will he make it "big" like Mrs Palin did during her time on Mr McCain's ticket and go on to become a big celebrity? Will he be just what Mr Romney needs to get the votes he needs to win the object of his desire? Too early for me to say definitively. I look forward to finding out though.
Showing posts with label elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label elections. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
On the Electoral Season and Why It's a Drag
It's that most drawn out and not so fun season for folks in the US. Election season. It seems, at least to me, that the Election cycle starts earlier and earlier each year, with this last one starting as soon as the new President took office. Maybe that's the reason why so many folks just couldn't be bothered with actually going to the polls. Everyone is just so worn out by the the time election day rolls around, they'd rather just pretend it wasn't happening and go have a beer with their buddies instead. If, however, you are quite the study in perseverance, then maybe the pet election season topics will cause you to run the other way. They are, in no specific order of preference: Abortion, Entitlement Spending (Medicare, Social Security), Abortion, Healthcare, Abortion and Immigration. Yes, we are still arguing about a law passed in 1973, that for the most part does not address the serious problems most families are facing at the moment, but arguing about this pet subject, rallies "the base" and therefore makes it's way into every debate in every election cycle. Could one really be annoyed with folks for NOT wanting to get involved? Why vote when you feel like your time and effort aren't going to make a difference. And why go vote for somebody who essentially is identical to their opponent except for the banner they run under? I totally understand people's frustration. So, after some thought, here's my take on what it would take to "energize" all people into truly participating in the democratic process of electing leaders.
1. Get rid of the Primaries. The primaries are the most fun in the elections. You have a host of candidates all vying for the top spot, and everyone feels really passionate about their candidate. Unfortunately, and I don't know how on earth this happens, it seems that the most disliked, mistrusted candidate wins out in the end. It's usually at this point that most folks lose interest in the the whole election process. Why not just let everyone run. Keep them all on the ballot. Let the voters have someone to vote FOR not vote against. Most folks feel like they are put in a situation where they have to choose the lesser of two evils. Seriously? That's the choice you want your citizens to have? Devil #1 or Beelzebub #2? By keeping everyone in the race you keep people interested and engaged. I am pretty sure that voter turn out will be at all time highs if just this was changed.
2. Dissolve the Electoral College. If you want people to vote, they must feel that their votes are going to count. What does it help that people go vote and the Electoral College has the final say? It's outdated and has served it's purpose. And while we're on the topic of letting people's vote count: do away with this hysteria of voter fraud. Only ten cases of fraud over the span of how many decades? Seriously? We should be trying to make it easier for EVERY citizen to vote, not harder!
3. The President gets to run against everyone. Including members from his own party. Why should he be afforded privilege of no contest from his own party simply because he is currently in the White House? If his/her policies have worked and benefited the country, the citizens will keep the current leader if not - hasta la vista, bebe.
4. The President shouldn't be allowed to serve two consecutive terms. My reasoning for this is simple. At the moment, Presidents spend their entire first term trying to make sure they'll get elected into a second term. This leads to compromise and broken promises to appease special interest groups or the ever elusive "base" and leaves those that elected him/her to office out to dry. A President's second term is often the term that best reflects the things that were important to him/her to start off with. So why not stop the nonsense and help the President out? Make it so they only get one term in office. They can run again in four years. They can keep doing that for two terms or three or whatever. I think if they cannot have a consecutive terms, it helps to keep them honest and reminds them that their job is to serve the best interests of the citizens of the country NOT interest groups.
5. GET THE MONEY OUT OF GOVERNMENT!! Special interest groups, companies, non profits and charities should not be allowed to donate money or services to anyone who holds an office or wants to hold an office in government. If you want your citizen's to feel like their voices are being heard then you have to get all the bullies and money mongers out the way. As things stand at the moment, Regular Joe cannot get his voice heard over the sound of the automated counting machines that every congressmen, senator and, yes, President has in their office. Put caps on what folks are allowed to spend on campaigns, whether it be for local office of national office. You'll make the races fair that way, and then everyone who wants to run can run and it won't just be the folks with the BIG money that win each time. It should be disturbing to Citizens that statistics show that the candidate who spends the most money is the one most likely to win. Really? That's what decides for us now? Money? We can do better than that, and we should demand better than that.
6. Stop pretending that Abortion is a real issue. It's not. It's simply used to get people all hot and bothered. The simple truth of the matter is this: if people really wanted abortion gone, it would be gone by now. It's not a real issue for most folks. What are real issues to most "regular" folk are outsourcing, jobs, jobs, jobs, and did I mention jobs? Coupled to that are the rising costs of living and education. And, if we really want to talk about spending, lets start with military spending first and work our way down from that to Medicaid and Social Security.
To be involved in the wonderful privilege and responsibility of choosing a country's leadership, should be something every citizen wants to do. Yet, we cannot judge those that just feel like they couldn't be bothered. They have good reason to feel that way. If you want everyone to be involved, then you need to involve everyone.
1. Get rid of the Primaries. The primaries are the most fun in the elections. You have a host of candidates all vying for the top spot, and everyone feels really passionate about their candidate. Unfortunately, and I don't know how on earth this happens, it seems that the most disliked, mistrusted candidate wins out in the end. It's usually at this point that most folks lose interest in the the whole election process. Why not just let everyone run. Keep them all on the ballot. Let the voters have someone to vote FOR not vote against. Most folks feel like they are put in a situation where they have to choose the lesser of two evils. Seriously? That's the choice you want your citizens to have? Devil #1 or Beelzebub #2? By keeping everyone in the race you keep people interested and engaged. I am pretty sure that voter turn out will be at all time highs if just this was changed.
2. Dissolve the Electoral College. If you want people to vote, they must feel that their votes are going to count. What does it help that people go vote and the Electoral College has the final say? It's outdated and has served it's purpose. And while we're on the topic of letting people's vote count: do away with this hysteria of voter fraud. Only ten cases of fraud over the span of how many decades? Seriously? We should be trying to make it easier for EVERY citizen to vote, not harder!
3. The President gets to run against everyone. Including members from his own party. Why should he be afforded privilege of no contest from his own party simply because he is currently in the White House? If his/her policies have worked and benefited the country, the citizens will keep the current leader if not - hasta la vista, bebe.
4. The President shouldn't be allowed to serve two consecutive terms. My reasoning for this is simple. At the moment, Presidents spend their entire first term trying to make sure they'll get elected into a second term. This leads to compromise and broken promises to appease special interest groups or the ever elusive "base" and leaves those that elected him/her to office out to dry. A President's second term is often the term that best reflects the things that were important to him/her to start off with. So why not stop the nonsense and help the President out? Make it so they only get one term in office. They can run again in four years. They can keep doing that for two terms or three or whatever. I think if they cannot have a consecutive terms, it helps to keep them honest and reminds them that their job is to serve the best interests of the citizens of the country NOT interest groups.
5. GET THE MONEY OUT OF GOVERNMENT!! Special interest groups, companies, non profits and charities should not be allowed to donate money or services to anyone who holds an office or wants to hold an office in government. If you want your citizen's to feel like their voices are being heard then you have to get all the bullies and money mongers out the way. As things stand at the moment, Regular Joe cannot get his voice heard over the sound of the automated counting machines that every congressmen, senator and, yes, President has in their office. Put caps on what folks are allowed to spend on campaigns, whether it be for local office of national office. You'll make the races fair that way, and then everyone who wants to run can run and it won't just be the folks with the BIG money that win each time. It should be disturbing to Citizens that statistics show that the candidate who spends the most money is the one most likely to win. Really? That's what decides for us now? Money? We can do better than that, and we should demand better than that.
6. Stop pretending that Abortion is a real issue. It's not. It's simply used to get people all hot and bothered. The simple truth of the matter is this: if people really wanted abortion gone, it would be gone by now. It's not a real issue for most folks. What are real issues to most "regular" folk are outsourcing, jobs, jobs, jobs, and did I mention jobs? Coupled to that are the rising costs of living and education. And, if we really want to talk about spending, lets start with military spending first and work our way down from that to Medicaid and Social Security.
To be involved in the wonderful privilege and responsibility of choosing a country's leadership, should be something every citizen wants to do. Yet, we cannot judge those that just feel like they couldn't be bothered. They have good reason to feel that way. If you want everyone to be involved, then you need to involve everyone.
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