Why I hate politics

Let me get this straight. Democracy, as it stands, is a good thing. We like feeling like we can make a difference in our world, in the decision making of our nation. We can vote people in that will advocate for us, we think happily. Yes, that's it.

I'm not pro-anything other than democracy. I'm a big fan of the democratic system. What I am not a big fan of is the amount of money wasted each year by stupid people who want to see their big faces on a billboard, or put dirt-slinging commercials on TV. I am not a fan of the fact that MILLIONS of dollars were spent in the last year on candidates that won AND on candidates who LOST. This money could have been used for actual lofty purposes, such things as feeding the poor, curing AIDS, etc. Obtaining millions of dollars to actually AFFECT change seems a bit difficult for us. Obtaining millions of dollars to run a campaign so that we can stand on a podium with tacky red, white, and balloon pillars behind us and make speeches about affecting change is entirely possible, apparently.

I did not vote. I probably would have, if I was at my parents' house yesterday, where I am still registered to vote. And I would have walked away with the sense of futility that I feel in every election. It doesn't matter who I vote for, Democrat, Republican, Green, Yellow, Purple, give me a person, any person. None of them are going to do a darn thing about the world we live in. They are going to spend the next four years standing on the House and Senate floors, yammering about what could be done if we could just get rid of that national debt. And meanwhile, they are padding their pockets with taxpayer money to the tune of hundreds of thousands a year. You know what would get my attention? Try eliminating parts of the national debt by working for the average salary in your district. That'll make you work on raising the minimum wage, won't it?

Every year, pundits and media types alike sit around and discuss the poor voter turnout. Here's a clue. Do something. Make a decision. Put your money where your mouth is. Don't give me scandals while I'm paying your salary. Don't take millions of dollars from stupid rich businessmen, who could be using that money to feed poor families for decades. Be passionate, be honest, be virtuous, be INTERESTING! But most of all, be ashamed of yourselves. This was certainly not what the founding fathers had in mind.