If the system is broken, how do we fix it? When you fail a test do you bitch about how it makes you feel, or do you learn from the questions you answered incorrectly? Observing mistakes made in the past and laughing or complaining, may provide comfort, but not a solution. My favorite comedians use politics regularly in their routine, poking fun at the Presidents of our nation regularly. Humor is a great thing, in fact, a necessity in the political world. Without the occasional laughs at the expense of our leaders, we would all die young, with intense frowns permanently branded on our faces.
Hindsight is 20/20, and when the past is seen that clearly, it should be easily learned from. A calculated amount of mistakes made by our government are widely seen by the public. Nixon was a crook, Clinton had an affair, and Bush hastily declared war. Presidents are human beings that make mistakes. Many times the “oops” moments we don’t see on the ten o’clock news have a more important effect on the world we live in. Every citizen has a duty to dig deeper. If your are not reading something everyday you have failed as a citizen.
When we belittle our leaders for the mistakes they make, we are not anymore empowered. The President makes decisions with the same human abilities as anyone else. Right or Wrong decisions, when made, do not elevate or lower an individual above or below other human beings. Also, the leaders of our country only had the opportunity to make those decisions because we told them to. Americans must not forget to take responsibility for electing these officials who are so inadequate. The key is to analyze the past mistakes but stop complaining and searching for to who we can blame. Rather, consider solutions, and evaluate future decisions carefully.
Politicians have learned more about us than we have about them. Even with media today allowing us to know every detail about each presidential candidate. Where they were born, where they went to school, what church they go to every Sunday, what’s their favorite pizza, or whom they dated in grade school? On the important issues, however, Americans feel unable to trust our politicians. This candidate was pro-choice but now takes the party line, this candidate supported the decision to go to war and now wants us to end the war and bring our troops home. America must demand to have the truth be told and have our questions answered. Before that can happen Americans must be intelligent enough to know when they’re being fed a line. When my dog doesn’t want to swallow his medicine, I wrap the medicine in a tasty treat, like cheese. He doesn’t notice he’s just been medicated, what he recognizes is he’s just eaten cheese and he wants more. Politicians are feeding us cheese, and they will until we recognize it.
Politicians are whom Americans have made them. Modern politics depends on two or three hot-blooded issues to rally support. Our leaders have learned that to win an election is a gamble, which stance will get the votes.
When a stone is tossed into a pond, the ripples on the waters surface are not indicative of how deep the stone sinks to the bottom. Also, when choosing the right candidate, the stance one takes on a popular issue is not a true indicator of their integrity and values any more than age, race, or religion.
If history can be seen in 20/20, then the future should be seen through bi-focal lenses. Focus on the possible outcome near and far, long and short term. Why must we keep making the same mistakes, different year?
Complaints about the choices made by a leader you elected do not substitute action. Why sit and cry and moan until superman is elected in 2008. That kind of attitude will never solve the problems we have made for ourselves, and the mistakes will definitely not work themselves out on their own.
Likewise, holding on to the disgust and discouragement of our president will only cause our next elected official to easily win our hearts and minds by saying he or she can do the better. A candidate need only say he’s against the decisions that make us angry, and win our votes with out ever saying what he is for. Not participating in a debate does not license to later say you agreed with the winner of the debate. The Skies don’t magically clear by replacing one inadequate official with another. “True change comes from within” If we change our way of thinking, then the false candidates have no bandwagon to stand on. Rather than always deciding, “What makes me feel good” take time to research, think, and choose wisely. Americans are so eager to join a gang. Americans want to be conservative or liberal. Nobody is 100% left or right. Think for yourself about every issue and make your own decision before you decide to vote. What the politicians don’t want you to do is hold them responsible as public servants, but that’s why they are getting paid.
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