Distance Running with Roddy B.

My last post was November 10, 2008. That is long passed, (pre-Thanksgiving!) and I have now come back for a little more fun. I truly loved writing my thoughts in a format that others could comment on, and have since regretted my absence. It would be impossible to comment on all of the things that have happened in the political realm since my last posting, so I have decided to take this opportunity to instead comment of the current year's happenings. I would love to begin with the unfortunate (cough hilarious cough) tidbit that is Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
In the news today, it was reported that Blago has in fact been impeached for his imprudent actions in selecting a replacement senator. As the unanimous decision was made, the governor was out jogging. Upon returning, he commented that his journey was a lonely one, similar to that of a distance runner. Excuse me? That is offensive to distance runners everywhere! Take me, for example. I originally did not appreciate Blago's comparison of the dedication, discipline, brains, and healthy lifestyle that typically dominates distance running to that of his deceitful, underhanded, self-serving actions. Sure, both categories have long roads ahead of them. Distance runners usually have actual road ahead though, while Roddy B. will be facing hard time and humiliation. However, runners usually are not unanimously publicly denounced by their peers. And yet, as I look at it, I can see the similarities. This man will not give up. Heck, he will appoint a senator rather than step down gracefully. I call that dedication. He was disciplined enough not to say the name of the man he was talking about exchanging money for power with on his wire tap. He was smart enough to... OK well this one falls short. And he goes jogging, so he clearly lives a healthy life!
The impressive fight that the governor has put up has inspired me. Tomorrow on my six mile training run, I will remember to hold on until the very last moment when all my muscles give up, and turn on me. It certainly has worked for my fellow distance runner.

The Biggest Blame Game Ever Played

Well, I would not exactly call the election successful. On the whole, everything single position or candidate I supported lost, except for the Michigan 8th District Congressional race, where incumbent Mike Rogers took home the W (the win). To summarize, our new president and his cohorts took home almost every contest. As I watched the FOX News coverage last night, I studied the Congressional and Presidential vote counters, and the number of times that word “gain” appeared next to a Democrats name was astonishing. I must say, I am impressed by the ability to deceive on the Democrats part. To portray such harmful positions in such positive light does take dedication and hard work on their parts, and I commend their devotion to the cause. Clearly the Republicans were slacking, though. I mean really, the best we could come up with was a POW and War veteran, and an innovative reformer from Alaska? Not our best efforts. I don’t blame anyone for choosing the Messiah, oops I mean Obama, over gramps. But then again, I really don’t deserve any of the blame, or credit depending on who you are. I didn’t choose this outcome, or have any say in what did happen. But really I should have. I watched the election so closely, with attention to detail and analyzed comments and positions. I went to an Obama rally. I repeat: I went to the Obama rally, there was kool-aid, and hope, and whole lot of change in the air. That, my friends, was sacrifice. I know who would have done what is best for the country, without destroying the freedoms America is built on. Basically, I would not have let an inexperienced Community Organizer take hold of the most important position in the free world, and I would not have allowed the Congress (with the lowest approval ratings ever) to get even more liberal. I did not do this, America. But I should have. If I had voted, maybe, just maybe, we would not be in the questionable circumstances that we are today. Even more frustrating, two years from now I will still not be eligible to vote. It looks like America will not have my expertise and guidance until 2012, and that is just too bad. But you can bet, that in 2012 I am so there, and by there, I mean I am definitely going to be an active proponent for true change. Because I have a feeling we may need it.

Just Ignore the Men and Women Behind the President

I was doing my AP Government homework about polling, which involved looking up different polls and then analyzing them as good and bad, when I found a Gallup poll that caught my eye. It was a poll about how Congress has the lowest approval rating practically ever, dipping below 30%, tying the 2002 and 1992 approval rating of 18%. Hmm… I thought. How peculiar that the blame for the entire economic crisis, war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the lack of affordable living be blamed on President Bush, when the Democratic Congress also has a record low approval rating. The poll was a little outdated, taken in June 2008, but there is no way that the Congressional approval rating is higher now that the American people can’t even afford necessities like gas and food. No, there is no way it is higher. But, oddly enough, I can’t find anything to back up my claim. It would seem that the cough, LIBERAL, cough media does not want to put out what the Congressional approval rating is right now because they fear it could endanger their precious Democratic seats in Congress. Now maybe I am a cynic, maybe even a bit of conspiracy theorist when it come to the media, but it just seems interesting that I can find President Bush’s recent low approval ratings, but not the Congressional. But, I can’t just blame the media, because the American people are at fault as well. It would seem that most people elect a scapegoat, not the leader of the free world in presidential elections, and Congress in simply an afterthought. After all, if we don’t get the eighth district, there’s always one county over, right? Wrong! Just like every vote, every seat counts. Congress has more power to wield an agenda and approve big decisions than the president. I think the ideas of checks and balances may be forgotten, because everyone seems to think the president can do whatever he wants. In fact, I laugh a little everytime I hear Obama or McCain say “I will stop climate change!” Oh really, you’re going to be the person in the world who ends the natural and appropriate heating and cooling cycle of our earth. Because really if Al Gore couldn’t do it (and remember, he invented the internet) how could any mere mortal expect to? I think that this year everyone should get informed on the Congressional race and know the power that Congress has as well, because just changing the man in the Oval office doesn’t change everything. In fact, I would say a vote for change is a vote for Congress. If I could vote, I would look at everyone on my ticket and then decide who I want to represent and lead the country AND who I want to be checking and balancing that man all the way through.

What Did I Miss?

I am still processing the debate. Why? It was boring. Normally, I am riveted by this kind of thing, but the debate was worse than a lecture on the origins of sand. Maybe it was just me, but I really do not understand how such serious issues were made to seem so dull. Neither candidate spoke with pizazz. In fact, I was imagining the possible Saturday Night Live skits that could result for a solid 8 minutes. The debate was so boring, that while day dreaming, I was able to simultaneously write down all of the major points. That is why I am not posting anything big tonight. I am letting the debate really sink in, while desperately looking for some jumping off point from which I can formulate coherent new ideas. But then again, if the presidential candidates don't have to, why should I?

The Downside Is...

If someone asked you what the most important issue facing America today is, what would you say? I am guessing that the score of the Minnesota/Cubs game would not be the first thing out of your mouth. Unless of course you're from Chicago or Minnesota, in which case I apologize for my sweeping generalization. My guess is that almost everyone, young and old would say the economy. Clearly, it's the issue that is going to make or break the presidential candidates, and determine the way of American life as we know it now. I know that I am no financial expert, but as an issue-conscience kid I am aware of the problems facing our nation. Of course, with all the news coverage, one could be blind, deaf, and illiterate and know about the state of the economy. But after the bailout plan rejection yesterday, I am surprisingly at peace. That is not to say that I am not worried, because I of course am. I mean that I really respect the courage of those against the plan to stand up and say no. While Wall Street may seem to play with Monopoly money, those million, billion, and trillion dollar words do have a dollar amount. I like to see that the legislature is taking the time to look long and hard at 700 billion dollars of borrowed money, and the repercussions of using that money. I also love to hear about all of the electorate participation. There are countless stories coming out his week about how Representative's constituencies calling and either supporting or fighting the bailout plan. The people care, and I find that inspiring. Overall, the crash of the economy is the wakeup call that people needed. Congress is not passing any bill that comes its way, and the American people are showing more interest than ever. I would say that the only negative coming out of the economy crash is the fact that the economy crashed. It is only more proof that in times of crisis, we step up, and I am proud to see it. So if I could vote in Congress I would look long and hard before I signed anything tying up indescribable amounts of money, and I could vote at all, I would look at the person who has listened to the people, the experts, and their conscience and cast a ballot for them.

What Do You Think?

This is a short note to ask anyone and everyone to comment on the blog! I know that I can be outspoken, but I always welcome others opinions. Liberals, Conservatives, and Independents alike should feel free to comment on any of the postings. I only ask that the comments are kept appropriate and considerate. Thanks!

Why Work When You Could Run for President?

I am going to be watching all three of the Presidential debates, as well as the Vice Presidential debate (I have an interest beyond the fact that is an AP Gov assignment). Now my only question is: is there going to be a debate at all on Friday? In the back of my mind, I know that the answer is yes. Of course the candidates will debate on Friday night, because neither of them have the courage to not debate. This is not to say that they are not brave, strong individuals who have the ability to pull out of the debate if they really wanted to. What I mean is that neither of the men is willing to take the possible hit in the polls that not debating could bring. But, even though I know that it will not happen this way, I am still hoping that John McCain will insist that his presence, despite what some may say, is needed in Washington, at the Senate. Why do I hope for such things? Not because I would like to have my Friday night free from note-taking on the debate, because that would only be an extra benefit. I want for McCain to insist on no debate because he and Senator Obama have a primary responsibility to their jobs. These men are not just our Presidential candidates; they are two members of the most elite group of elected officials in the country. They have a primary responsibility to do their job, not to talk about possible solutions for the problem that they may have to deal with, if they are elected when they have an opportunity to fix it right now. These men get paid from our tax dollars to work in the Senate, not campaign for a new job. This is not to say that I do not respect all of the hard work that the candidates put into their campaigns, but I am saying that these men need their priorities in order. The time spent debating could mean the difference between economic change now or later. I think everyone’s choice would be change now, talk later. So why are willing to suspend the rules for these men? McCain and Obama are equal and important members of the Senate. I think that these two men should be showing me what they can do with the economy, not tell me about it in a nicely lit auditorium. So if I could vote, I would cast a ballot for the man who campaigned hard, but worked harder, knowing that he will all ways put his true job first.