The Political Peanut Gallery

The first thing I did when I turned 18 (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) was register to vote. My family was big on the topic. We always voted. Dad would shave on election day, even though he didn't have to work, because it was serious stuff. He never talked politics. He would not tell us who he was voting for...that was a "private matter". So I grew up believing that voting mattered.

Unlike dad, I found the whole process fascinating. But it used to be easier. I recall when campaign issues were more concrete. Candidates could be for or against something...or took different views on how we should do something as a society. But that was before. The last decade, the political front has shifted from nut and bolts to "ideological" differences.  And there's the rub.

When examining different candidates, I want to know what they plan to DO. Don't promise me "prosperity". I've yet to read of  a candidate against it. Tell me what you have in mind, and if you have the first clue on how to achieve it. Don't promise me "no new taxes" in the face of a crumbling infrastructure. All that means is that instead of spending 60 million to shore up bridges and roads when they need it, we'll spend an unbudgeted 180 million...when one collapses.  No savings there. Just a lack of foresight.

Don't wrap yourself in a flag, and expect me to salute. I was raised to believe that the flag meant something., and if you use it for sound bytes, or photo ops, you cheapen it...and yourself.

Don't tell me all the ways your opponent is wrong. Tell me what's right about YOU.

Don't call my house with those obnoxious robo-calls...or even worse, the fake polls. "Did you know that Joe Blow Still beats puppies? Fail. "Do you support out of control spending"...an insult to my intelligence. Epic fail.

But these are tried and true techniques. They get rolled out every election. Maybe the candidates noticed that we don't pay much attention anymore. Easier to latch onto a baseless accusation, or innuendo then sort through the promises, and decode the message inside them. But a small note here. Most politicians are intelligent. If they are vague, maybe it's because we demanded it. We don't want to hear about the nuts and bolts...BORING. I read a blog the other day that supported one candidate for president because he had "Good Hair". Yikes. Tell you what...give me a candidate with Einstein's hair please. One who spends more time than Lady GaGa playing with hair products is not someone I want for POTUS.

Come up with an idea that will live longer than your next election. Make me believe that you actually care more about the future, than your job...and we'll talk.

But please...no "simple solutions" to complex issues. I'll be listening...and taking notes.