The Associated Pest

The 2008 US Presidential and Congressional Election will decide the future direction of a country in the midst of external and internal crisis. I have yet to bring myself to vote in previous elections. Why? Because the two elections in which I was eligible to vote I did not feel there was a candidate I could fully back and support. I considered my vote too precious to waste on a flawed candidate. I think a lot of young people felt the same as I.

I’ve since learned the error of my ways, and I now plead with each and every one of you to vote this year.

I wrote an article on the elections that were held in Ecuador two weeks ago. I received an interesting comment which I would like to pass on, in case you missed it.

Ro-bone-a-fied wrote:

“There is one more interesting fact about the electorial process in Ecuador: It is illegal not to vote. In other words, it is absolutely mandatory that every citizen over the age of 18 completes his/her civic duty. The penalty of sleeping in on Election Sunday: A nice fine, and don’t even think about trying to leave the country without paying it! In Ecuador it definitely pays NOT to vote. This is also the case in the primary elections as well, regardless of your political affiliation. Imagine if here in the U.S. Every citizen was obliged to vote? The fines assessed from the slackers alone would create an abundant source of income for the FEDs. In Ecuador you pay if you don’t vote.”

A great insight! This is why I love the Pest Community. (You should get involved too…comment, add your opinion, and join the discussion!)

My thoughts on this Election year:

1) Vote. It is the most important gift we’ve been given by our ancestors. Let your voice be heard.

2) Don’t be swayed to vote for or against a presidential candidate based on “peripheral issues”. In past elections people have gotten caught up because of a candidate’s stance on abortion rights, whether or not they fought in a previous war, their plan to fix the environment, and countless other small potatoes. Here’s a wake up call. For better or worse, abortion law will most likely not change, and there are no Supreme Court seats to be filled. The environment is a private sector and a congressional burden, for which a president will have little to say other than veto rights. Frankly these and others are just not important this year when compared to other issues that are facing us as a nation. Don’t be fooled by this type of propaganda this year.

There are REAL issues at stake that will decide our fate as a nation. We have critical foreign policy issues with Korea, Iran, and others. We have an army that is spread very thin across the globe. There is a healthcare system that needs re-working. There are vital changes that need to be made to the tax code because of the widening disparity between the rich and the poor in this country. There are economic issues in the form of a a weakening Dollar and a widespread mortgage crisis. There is a bloated budget that must be fiscally managed.

No matter what your political affiliation, vote for the candidate you think will fix the REAL issues, not just feed you a bunch of unfulfilled promises as most politicians do.

3) Don’t vote on personality or good looks. The president could be a 3 eyed hairy beast for all I care. I don’t need slick hair. I don’t need a good bedside manner. I don’t need a pleasant speaking voice. I need someone who will take charge, and put our country in the right direction. Deeds, not words. Please.

4) Don’t be lazy, do your homework. Make sure to study past voting history. All politicians talk a good game, but look at the record. It speaks for itself.

5) Don’t just vote for the President. Congressional elections are as important. I worked on Capitol Hill for a few years, and learned that the House and Senate do most of the policy making and deal with the grass roots issues in this country.

6) Consider the idea of a balance of Power. For the record I’m an independent. I am not endorsing either party. This might be a controversal subject for you staunch Republicans or Democrats, but a balance between both parties may make for better policy making because of the inherent checks and balances. It can also cause a stand-still in decision making. This is why I say consider it for yourself. Maybe you will vote for a Republican President, and a Democratic Senator or vice versa. Do what you think is right.

7) In the trenches a politician is a politician. Republicans and Democrats are really not all that different believe it or not. I’ve seen it on the Hill. It’s true. Special interest groups can sway a vote in one direction or another across party lines. Again, don’t just go on instinct, vote on what that candidate has done and try to put your political affiliation second to that. Facts are facts and talk is cheap.

Last 5 posts by G-man

• Super Tuesday, 4 Not-So-Super Candidates and How Healthcare Might Have been Saved - February 1st, 2008
• A Pound of Flesh for a Pound of Chicken - December 4th, 2007
• Democrat Hopefulls Resound, "I support the Right to Privacy." I Say Cut the Shit! - November 18th, 2007
• Weakening Dollar, Inflation Cause and Effect and How to Hedge Yourself - November 11th, 2007
• World Bank to Loan $900 Million To Iran, And the Massive Toilet Problem - November 5th, 2007