The Loss of Reasoning in America: Who Shall I Vote For?

Who are you planning to vote for? Do you know why? You really need to consider the reasons why you may vote for one candidate and not another. The right to vote is a responsibility, one that has great and grave consequences indeed. It used to be that there was a candidate that would catch the attention of a majority of voters because of some issue or issues, some important opinions on matters that would concern many Americans. Looking at the media-driven frenzy we call a political campaign, it is looking like anything but. Most Americans are voicing their opinions about one candidate or the other, but what we are hearing and reading is not making much sense. So you have to ask yourself: are you voting for the right reasons?

Politics is a funny yet strangely dangerous monster. Most of us will admit that politicians, those who run for elected offices, lie, cheat, steal, and attempt trickery and deception to get into office. There are some who begin a career in politics for the right reasons, but somewhere along the line they are pushed in to the circle and then they lose the way. There is a big difference between a "politician" and a "political leader". Think about it. A politician is in it for him or herself, nothing else matters, nothing else motivates them. A political leader still has ambition and the same thirst for power (as the politician) but still has a sense of direction, of purpose, and they see their service to the citizens as the difference-maker. We have very few "leaders": most of the people running for office are politicians. And yet, most Americans don't see that one is not much different from the other. Look in to their eyes and tell me what their real intentions are. So what are we voting for? Why is one candidate more popular than the other? We need to examine what we see.

In the recent days, we keep hearing the word "change". What does it mean? Does it mean that a "good" change is in order, that the candidate is offering an alternative to what has been happening in the past? If it is change just for change's sake, then is it "good" change? Or is it because you are a Democrat and you hate Republicans, no matter what the candidate may truly represent? If you are believing that the word "change" means something good, then what is it? What do you believe wii be changed? Nothing is being offered except that one party is trying to remove the other from office, from power. In other words, the "change" you are hearing is not being defined at all, but it is your party of choice that is telling you that "change" is going to be good. We heard this in 1992 when Bill Clinton came to office, surprising everyone with his freshness and his charm. What we got was not much different than before: a politician being elected and serving in office with promises and words, nothing more and nothing less. Scandals, cheating on his wife, alleged lying under oath, and many Americans just simply accepted it. What changed?

After eight years, we elected George W. Bush to the White House. Democrats were angry, frustrated, depressed, and hatred of our new President was voiced around the country. For a short period of time we were unified by certain events centered around September 11, 2001, and many forgot their hatred. It didn't go away, though. The big issue was that many felt cheated, betrayed by the political system. The vote did not go everyone's way, so many wanted to blame someone. The results were close and there were some questions and doubts about the outcome, but not enough proof was found to claim foul, so some accepted it and some didn't. So, another eight years have passed and we are coming to another time for decision, so there are many who feel that no matter who runs, they will vote for someone who will win the nomination of their party, and for no other reason. So who are these candidates?

On one hand we have John McCain, the already selected nominee for the GOP. There are many republicans around the country that do not like his policies, what he stands for. They say he is too liberal, and that may be true for them. So, perhaps those Republican voters are suggesting that they truly will vote because of what the candidate stands for. If that is the case, then they will definitely vote for a Democrat. Many may not like that, but at least they are voting on issues, on philosophy. Can we say that about many Democrats? Let's look at the Democratic candidates then.

First on hand is Hillary Clinton, the first woman to get this far in a Presidential Election. We hear her say "she has the experience to run the country." What "experience" does she have? Is a half dozen or so years in the political arena (for herself) enough to say she has "experience"? This definitely offers "change", as we spoke of above, but again is this good change? And does eight years sleeping in the White House offer "experience" to run the greatest country in the world? She has also suggested that America cannot afford what she wants to do. If you didn't hear her say this, then you better start doing your research. What does that statement truly mean? What does she plan to do? For instance, her plans for giving money to families for every child's college education sounds noble, but how much will it cost? Do the math and you will come up with an astronomical amount. Where will it come from? Just think about it!
Barack Obama is the second of the candidates for the Democratic ticket. He has mentioned the word "change" and is definitely saying alot of the right things. Does he have experience? He has just about the same as Hillary does. Is he a leader? Is Hillary a leader? (it seems hear that if you are honest with yourself the only candidate who has proven to be a leader is McCain because of his war record. You may not like that, but it is true) He is good looking, charismatic, and seems quite calm under pressure, but what are his true motives? And what will he offer? Does his selection of friends and influences worry you? Does his past ties with Reverend Wright worry you? We can't say it isn't a concern, but it is also something to consider.

These two candidates also offer a dilemma for many voters, but it is one that also is troubling. Will you ignore everything that Hillary has said, and changed her mind about, and everything discussed above just to vote a "woman" into office? Will you vote for Obama because he is the first so-called "minority" candidate to get this close as well? If these are the only, or most important reasons, why you are supporting them, then is that a "good" reason? Again, is it not as bad to vote "against" a woman or a minority candidate as it is to vote for them simply because they are? There should be no difference in your opinion if you keep an open and sound mind. We need to start "thinking" more and not just vote because of strong, irrational feelings we have. This is an important decision each individual has to make, and it needs to be pondered about from within.

In the next few months we are going to hear and see alot. We are going to see more and more of the same. What does the candidate truly offer? Remember that each and every candidate has an agenda. They are each ambitious, egotistical, proud, and power-hungry. They are not running simply because they wish to help each and everyone one of us. That is an idealistic reason and has to be part of their purpose, but the dominant reason has to do with what they have to win. If you are going to vote for the wrong reason or reasons, then we are truly in trouble. And our children are as well. Start looking beyond the candidates and their dressed up, made-up appearances and dig into the "real" candidate. You may be surprised what you find. You may also find out that one may not be that much different from the other, and that one party's offering is not that much different from the other. It may just as well be that we will find ourselves voting for the "lesser of two evils", as the cliche goes. Which will you vote for? Will you vote based on "fluff", or what the candidates' marketing experts are making them appear to be, or will you vote on "substance", what you have found out they truly stand for? It's going to take some work to get through all the rhetoric and such, but no one ever said it would be easy. Remember what is at stake, and I hope you will make the best, and most reasonable, decision!