The Battle for the Democratic Candidacy Gets More Intense

I feel like a parent who has witnessed the bickering of their children in the back seat of the car. You hope that after a while they'll come together and settle their differences. But after a few hours of fussing and fighting you turn around and say - Enough Already!

I've made it no secret that I'm an Independent. My reason behind this is that I truly believe that party politics and divisiveness has been detrimental to the progress of this country. Although I attest to the fact that many do not subscribe to, or follow the teachings of the bible, I adamantly believe "a house divided against itself cannot stand" Mark 3:25. Thus, a country divided also cannot and will not stand. Now I'm not one of those that believes we'll ever all agree with one another. That would be an impossible feat. We're all different, with varying opinions, and no one's opinion should be less important than another. So why can't we have governmental leaders who can also respect each other's differences and ways of thinking, while working together to come to some common ground. Is this too much to ask? Consequently, I've often believed independents and third-party candidates were important to bring balance to a two-way battle in Washington, D.C. Thus, here I stand as an Independent and frequent third-party voter.

That said, I confess that in a moment of weakness and naivety, I thought for a moment, a very brief moment, that this political campaign might present some semblance of hope. Although I didn't agree entirely with my chosen candidate (mostly with their association with the Democratic Party in general), I was willing to look beyond our differences and give them my support. Additionally, it was so encouraging to see such diversity on the campaign trail (that is in both race and gender).

Now about six months into the Democratic Primaries, I'm nearly back to feeling the way I did prior to January. Arguments about the votes in Michigan and Florida, ugly and insidious comments about race and other petty bickering has turned something hopeful and promising into nasty and dirty politics all over again.

Enough already! Why don't you two just go home and chill for a while? You've had several debates and have been in the paper and on television innumerous times. Most of us Americans whether we like you or not are quite sick of this entire campaign. But if you do continue to campaign, can you please stick to the issues? You're running for the highest office in this nation and possibly even in this world. The American people want to hear your plans and solutions for problems plaguing all of us today. Quite frankly, I don't want to hear anymore ranting and raving about what the Bush Administration did or did not do. I don't even want to hear anymore about what your opponent did or did not do, or can or cannot do. Aren't you running on your own merits? If that's so, then tell us what you can and will do.

Lastly, this is not child's play (or is it), so cut out the "they're not playing fairly" stuff. If they don't play fairly, trust the American people to have sense enough to recognize it - and you stick with the issues! As a citizen, I'm turning around to the backseat and saying - Cut it Out! Enough Already!