We Don't Vote For Presidents Anymore...

we vote for who we think will win.

I have tried to put this into words for the past several years, and I am getting closer to what I mean inside my brain, but words are difficult to use to describe the subtlety of my argument. But here goes...

Since Watergate, the media has come to believe they are in the business of making the news rather than reporting it. They did not reveal JFKs indiscretions, but began to wonder about LBJ during the Civil Rights Movement, then with Nixon, they cut loose.

This is not an argument of should the media do this or not. It is a simple statement of my take on a transition of the perceived purpose of the media.

Here is the crux of my argument: We do not vote for who we think will best serve the country as President -- we vote for who we think will win the presidency.

Let me try to explain. In my voting lifetime, beginning in 1980, I have witnessed a subtle shift in the thinking process of American citizens.

We are a nation that seeks to win.

The Olympics is representative of this fascination we have with winning. Which country won the Olympics? It depends on whose paper you read. Do you just count Gold Medals? Total Medals? Place a point value on the medals (3 for gold, 2 for silver, 1 for bronze) and add up the points?

Further, Americans who don't win personally, are quick to associate themselves with winners, as if this vicarious association will reflect the winning nature of the non-entrant. That is why we frequently see "fans" become numerous at the end of the season of winning teams, when there were open seats at the start. The "fair-weather fan" seeks to associate with those who are winning.

Now for the transfer to presidential elections. I am not convinced people vote for the person they believe has the best qualifications for the needs of the nation at a given time. [I not really convinced people know what the nation needs at most times - cynical, I know.] I believe, through the media, polls, and appearance (again Nixon vs. Kennedy - TV debate) people who do vote, frequently vote for the one they believe will be the winner, just to associate themselves with the one who won.

I seldom speak to people who know what the issues are, forget what the candidates believe about the issues. And this counts educators too. Education is not the only issue. NCLB, regardless of where one stands, is a relatively small issue in the context of the world today. And believe it or not, education is not always the answer to problems. I've met too many educated idiots, and you have too.

So when a student asks me, "Who are you going to vote for?" I tell them the truth. I haven't made up my mind yet. I don't know enough about where they stand on the issues, nor have I really prioritized the issues I think are important yet. That will come over the next 2 weeks. Is education part of the list? Yes, but not in the top 5 at this point. I'm more concerned about the banking situation, oil & alternative fuel, taxes, international affairs and economics, and our commitment to curtailing terrorism and protecting our country than I am about education right now.

And now for something that hit me today...Constitution Day

My classes watched a 20 minute, overview about the U.S. Constitution. In the video, a comment was made that led me to say to my classes, something like...

What make the United States great is the fact that we are not a country governed by people. We are governed by law. We are supposed to be equal under the law, and not have to worry about the whims or biases of a monarch, dictator, or royal family.

The president, by the Constitution, has very limited power. Yet, every four years, we look for which "rock star" we want to represent us. It has become a popularity contest. Perhaps we should remember the wise comments of Simon Wilder (Joe Pesci) in the movie With Honors: The Constitution limits the president to being nothing more than a servant of the people. He is, in essence, a bum and the only bliss he should be seeking is freedom and justice.



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[If you have not seen this movie, why not?!]


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Never Speak of Politics or Religion-But It's President's Day

Sorry. This is long. It is important to me. It is not overtly political, but politics is the backdrop for my thoughts. I am totally sincere; hoping against hope that I am totally wrong.

Today, I spent 2+ hours on the road. I listened to Creedence Clearwater Revival's greatest hits. I began thinking about politics in my life since I could vote. My first election was 1980 (Carter v. Reagan). I realized that I am a product of a two-family dynasty in our country. Since 1981, a Bush or Clinton has been in one of the top two positions in our country.

1981-1989 George Bush (Vice President)
1989-1993 George Bush (President)
1993-2001 Bill Clinton (President)
2001-2009 George W. Bush (President)

I find it interesting that our country has created this monopoly on the White House. It is as if we want a royal family after all. It appears easier to have a dynasty than to have idealogical changes. We are happier with the familiar, aren't we?

With that said, I'm ready for a change. To be consistent with my personal wishes, I do not think change will come if another from the Bush or Clinton family takes the reigns of the White House.

In my heart-of-hearts, I think McCain and Obama will be the two who lead the ticket. I don't care what your political affiliation is (because there really is no difference between the two anymore), in my mind, there is no way anyone should not respect McCain. He spent over five years (1967-1973) in a prison camp during a war in which the soldiers who returned home were not treated well. He had all reasons to hate his country, but instead of giving up on it, he sought to make a difference by choosing politics in 1982 after serving in the Navy from 1958-1981. You and I may not agree with his politics, but I cannot fathom anyone who could not respect him for his life. I respect him enough to wish he wouldn't run for president.

I fear something terrible if Obama (or Clinton) wins the election. We live in a country where people become famous for stupidity. With the advent of web 2.0 technologies, "reality" TV, and instant news, there will be many someones who will believe they will become historically (in)famous if they assassinate the first black president or first female president. There have been four successful assassinations and numerous unsuccessful attempts. Most of these were over a political/philosophical differences (or Jodie Foster ;-) - sorry, I needed a humor break).

Call it a lack of faith in our society, but to kill the first minority president is a sure ticket to all-time annals of U.S. history. And, yes, I do believe there are plenty of crazy-enough and skilled-enough people to attempt it, and succeed. For that reason, I wish Obama and Clinton wouldn't run for president.

So, I'm conflicted. Kids at school ask me all the time who I am going to vote for. I tell them I don't know, since the candidates have not been decided. The truth is, I don't know. There is much more to this election than Democrat vs. Republican.

Our country, once galvanized by 9/11/01, is now fragmented down party lines again. How soon we forget. Web 2.0 has not only made communication and connection "flatter," it has made historical revisionism quicker.

I think if McCain wins we will continue in a war with no end, as was promised by President Bush in 2001.

This war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen...

Our nation has been put on notice: We are not immune from attack.

If Obama or Clinton wins, we may have another verse to Abraham, Martin, and John.

We live in terrible times. Why would anyone want to be president? I guess because someone has to be.