Shmol-itics.

I've come up with two things that I should never write about. And, that being said, it took all of about five posts for me to abandon all good sense and logic and dive right into one of the subjects. It is with extreme trepidation that I tip-toe to the edge of a very deep and dark pool and stick my foot in testing the water. Religion and politics. Two party crashers. Because I value my sanity and my limited reputation, I will vow to stay far, far away from religion. But, I just can't help myself on the other one. First, a very brief summary of my personal history as well as views on all things political. I can pretty sum it up with one sentence. I couldn't give a rat's ass. Now, let me assuage those of my friends who are very passionate about it, and/or the few that I know who actually make their living in the arena. I like to think that I am in the vast majority of America who absolutely and unequivalically just wishes it would all go away. I dont' know anything about politics and I have never studied politics, and I further couldn't and probably...no, definitely wouldn't seek out a conversation about politics. I would be perfectly content to just be told that we will always be promised a democracy and that within that democracy, stuff would get taken care of, and to not worry about it, cause I dont know any better anyway? Some of my acquaintances out there cringe mightily at any scenario that involves turning over trust to the government, even in a made up or ficticious idea like mine. I have to respect their bravado and the fact that they are so passionate about it, even if inside....I think its a colossal waste of time. The bravado and passion, that is. I just cant take it lying down anymore. It's getting worse and worse and the stench of all the political jargon has infiltrated every facet of all of our lives. With facebook and twitter and cable TV and the internet all ablaze with wall to wall mud slinging and all sorts of truths, half truths and a load of outright crap.....all being shoved into every orifice on the human body. And, here is the ultimate rub. In my humble and admittedly un-educated opinion, none of it makes a bit of difference. No one is ever happy, no one is ever content. Even the "side" that wins is only euphoric only on the night of the win. The next morning begins the vicious cycle all over again. I have this vision that I'll bet takes place in many a hotel suite on the morning after some of these electoral wins. It has the victor summoning his or her troops around and uttering...very emphatically, "Ok, now we gotta figure out how we're going to fulfill half of this shit we promised". Call me crazy. Again, I feel the need to throw out the olive branch before launching into the next bit of this diatribe. I read daily blogs and posts and the like all screaming about this guy and against that guy and proclaiming how our country is on the verge of falling into the ocean because of him, or will be if we elect her and it goes on and on and on and on. I get the feeling that if I or anyone goes onto some of our favorite social media outlets and backs a candidate, it will be viewed as pure blasphemy by about half? I know this isn't the case, because most are like me. Most think it's all just a colossal waste of time. You know what I heard about Obama before he got elected? Well, first the positive. Our country needed a change. Obama was going to be all about that change. The first African American to be elected president. Look out world, change is coming. Outgoing President Bush was obviously the reason the country was about to fall into the ocean and was a clueless and mindless red-neck who had long ago out-stayed his welcome. Obama was the answer. Look out world, let the re-birth begin. And, the negative? It's actually one of my more favorite lines of all time, politically speaking. Some, and more than you might suspect....proclaimed, with a straight face....that Obama was the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ? I laugh even today. And now, some four years later? Both sides are equally vociferous and unwilling to listen to anything but total support of their position. My view on mr. Obama? About average. I know so very little of any of issues. I hear the yelling back and forth from the Hannity's and the O'Reilly's and the whole spectrum of talking heads, so I surmise that lost somewhere in the buried middle is the truth? I take that to be that he's just like everyone else, or most everyone else in that or any elected position. All of us here in the majority, the masses of the average....just dont' and won't see any huge shifts in policy, or any huge life changes. And, certainly not any to warrant all the vitriole and the hatred that is spewed back and forth between brothers and friends?
As long as I've waded in this far, allow me to completely dunk myself. Take the phenomenon, or whatever you want to refer to it as, of the grass roots candidates such as Ron Paul. I must reiterate that I dont know anything about this man, but, it doesn't really matter for the point im making, or flailing to make?! I get it. It is vital that as a true democracy, anyone and everyone should have their voice and have their passion and be counted and viewed as an equal with regards to political ambition. We all know that's not necessarily the way it has turned out. Now, does that mean that folks should just shrug their shoulders and "take their ball and go home"? No. Let me skip to the end point first, and then move backwards. Candidates like Ron Paul and now his off-shoot, some Johnson guy....have NO chance, NO chance to ascend to the office. We all know it. Right? This isnt an endorsement of the two big guys, nor is it some kind of an attack on the small guys. They have no chance. I applaud their ambition, and I start to applaud all of the woodstock like followers who shut out any and all opposing views(just as the followers for any and all parties do), and blindly and often loudly chant Paul's or now Johnson's name. Great, and we're happy for you, but...and I suppose this is my veiled point....isnt' there so much more to life than getting so freaking wrapped up in a cause that, at the end of the day just doesn't matter? Regardless of the man, woman, party, affiliation, beliefs, promises, ideals, money, age, or whatever...I truly in my heart of hearts feel that it barely matters. Clinton, Bush, and now Obama....they all have illicited heaps and heaps of passion and strong opinions and nothing ever changes. Sure, there will always be that one or two policies that get pushed through that either side of the aisle gets all fired up about and it matriculates through and through to the masses, but...and please be honest here...who is ever really content and happy with any of it? Does that mean that i'm suggesting we all just shut up and take it, or turn into Oliver Twist with our bowls of soup shoved out in front of us? No, but I am suggesting that it gets to a point. Barring some kind of radical change in this country(and please...to all of the Paul-ites....I know, I know....I'm positive that Ron would be that guy to make such a radical shift?), it's going to always be the same, sort of? It might shift a bit to the left, or a shade to the right, but life is too short. Live it. Enjoy it with family and friends. Go see it. Take in the majesty and the breathtaking beauty of this country. Drink a glass of wine or two, and philosophize into the wee hours of the morning and together solve all of our ills.
In closing, there isnt' and never will be some kind of a "gotcha" endorsement of "my guy"? Cause, I honestly don't have a guy. I'm just tired of all the layers and layers of crap that is associated with the political process. You all have the God given right to get as fired up as you want and continue to tout and shout your beliefs to the world and to moan and becry those of the all opposers. I just happen to believe that it's a colossal waste of time and energy.