A question of politics

In this seemly endless, eternal political season, I have questions I have no answers for.

The chief one, and perhaps the most important, is: Whom should I believe in? A conversation with a colleague had me wondering about why I voted for the candidates (particularly national candidates) that I have over the past 40 years.

With the possible exception of Jimmy Carter, I voted “against the other guy” rather than “for” someone. Perhaps I’m too picky. Perhaps the really good candidates get weeded out because of “fund-raising” or “communication” issues. (I’d have loved to vote for Paul Tsongas for president, but he didn’t sound-bite well, even though he was a marvelous storyteller. So he fell by the wayside after winning the New Hampshire primary before the Clinton charm had fooled enough voters.)

Should I abandon the search for a man or a woman who can exercise good judgment and wisdom in the midst of all that must be done to acquire power and retain power?

Should I advocate for significant term limits on congressmen and women and senators? Should I argue for a return to the citizen-legislator as some have argued for the citizen-journalist?

Neither party has approached my mind this year — only my wallet. Despite the three attempts to “survey” my opinion (the latest arrived today from Nancy Pelosi), the Democrats have only succeeded in offending me. Perhaps there are Republican voters who feel the same way about the leadership in their party. Many are not mindless followers of the current administration.

I’d like the voters to pick people who know how to do more than merely exercise power. I’d like to believe that someday candidates will have the intent — and the ethical cahones — to act in the best interest of us all, instead of their own best interest.

Do you think that’s likely to happen?

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