IS THIS ANY WAY TO ELECT A PRESIDENT?

Is this any way to elect the leader of the free world?   A new visitor from Mars might ask this question after a few weeks in America on the eve of the Presidential election.  Especially after viewing the debates and particularly after the last one.

 As I look at the issues that should be fought out, they are;  Social Security, Medicare and the entire medical system, the military, public schools along with the larger issue of parental responsibility.  The federal government is vital or has made itself vital in these issues. 

What are the primary issues in the mind of the American people.  I think Social Security, the medical system are primary.  They say that schools or education is a big issue,.  I don’t believe it.  If it were we would have the parents of Polk County up in arms about how we select a school superintendent.   If education was important we would not settle for second best. 

 And how do we deal with the big issues that face our nation?  In sound bites, in two minute answers, 30 second TV ads and we hope that some vapid, brain dead “undecided voter” asks the right question.  And on the part of the candidates, they vie on the battlefield of who can give more… Who can be the candy man. 

Take Social Security.   Governor Bush is making a baby step to reform by taking a little bit of the money and letting the individual have control.  This is only answer.  It is such a hot issue, he cannot make a strong point because it is so easy to attack.  And attach the Vice President does.  “Governor Bush is going to Bankrupt the system”.   He is going to take you candy away!  In case you haven’t looked Vice President the system IS BANKRUPT!  It cannot pay it’s obligations.  Not only does Mr. Gore not make any effort of change the system that is headed to a train wreck, he ADDS another benefit on top of it!  Perhaps his is the right way.  Speed up the train wreck so everybody has to honestly has to face the issue. 

On Medicare the big thing is who can give the most on prescription drugs.  Another system that is bankrupt and we ask it to do more.  Every person on Medicare has a line up of pills.  Sure it cost a lot when the doctor adds prescriptions on prescriptions.  Just wait until it is less costly.  Each candidate wants the doctor to make the decisions.  Well the doctors are making bad decisions about prescriptions.  They need oversight! 

Our presidential election system has come down to trying to figure out which “plan” will give the most crumbs to me.  It is a sad sight.  It comes down to who is the enemy, for we have to have an enemy.  The Rich, Big oil, Big pharmaceuticals, etc. are the black hats this time.  Not thinking that the rich pay most of our taxes and we should thank them.  Not thinking that the Big drug companies have spent money on research and development to bring life saving to many and should be thanked.  Not thinking that Big oil has to drill many dry well before he finds oil that we will gladly use and need today and should be thanked.  Not thinking that everyone employs the “little” people with good salaries and health insurance and should be thanked. 

The American people sit around and want the candidates to tell them what they are going to do for them.  If we just had a little change we could solve all the problems. 

We have a breakdown in the American family that is a cancer on society.  It is probably the key issue we face today and is not what Al or George W. will do about it, the real question is what will we do about it.

 We want new rules… a change in the process will fix it.  Gun control will control our kids.  A v-chip will change what our kids see.  If we just had vouchers our school system would change.  If Hollywood would be responsible it would all be better.  If we had to pay just a little less in taxes mom could stay home with the kids.  

All that might help just a little.  But until we have a real American dialog about what WE will do to improve our country we will see no real change. 

Is this any way to elect a President?  Maybe it is, we have a great country.  But I think the issue will come down to who do we want in our face for the next four years.  And that my friends is why George W. will win.  We have seen them both, and we just don’t like Al.  We are comfortable with George W.  Simple answers to complex questions. 

So George W. Bush will be our President.  Maybe he is the right man.  Maybe he will turn the dialog on the real issue.  What will WE do, what will we sacrifice to better our country.  The Kennedy quote is very appropriate…  “Ask not what your country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country.”  If George W. Bush leads along the path to that the question we can say that this IS the way to elect a president.