Sad but true

Once upon a time, we had statesmen; people who would take a stand because it was right, not because it was a plank in their party platform or might get them elected. Nowadays, we have politicians that are afraid to vote their beliefs because they value their position more than they value their nation.

The most egregious example of this is earmarks - bits of the budget set aside by politicians to buy votes back home, whether or not the programs they support make any sense. The bridge to nowhere. Creationist doctrine. Tap-dancing classes for mulatto dwarves [1].

However, no matter how bad earmarks are [2], there is something worse. The simple abandonment of their ideals for job security by politicians, en masse. For example, the New York Times reports that Democrats are likely to pass the wiretap bill that extends the [3] existing law allowing the President to wiretap on anybody, anytime without needing a court's permission - despite their promises to the contrary. Why? Because the Democrats don't want to seem "soft on terror". They may even give the administration immunity for past misdeeds! Similarly, Republicans are voting against a child welfare bill, not because they disagree with the purpose, but because they don't want to be seen as "expanding government health care".

So what does that mean in the next administration [4]? Simple - if you want the United States to get out of Iraq anytime in the next five years, you'll probably have to vote for a Republican, as no Democratic candidate has the guts to say "Enough already! We need to get out now!". And if you want a balanced budget, you'll need to vote for a Democrat as no Republican will have the guts to say "Admit it, folks - we're broke and need to reduce spending and raise revenues". For almost every issue, you will have to vote the opposite of what the parties say - and try to find a candidate strong enough to actually speak truth to power [5].

Good luck on that.

John

[1] OK, I made that one up. But you almost bought it, didn't you - which just shows how out of touch these idiots are.

[2] And they are bad - worse than a Farrelly brothers remake.

[3] Probably unconstitutional and definitely unAmerican

[4] Yes, I'm already counting the days. If Rush Limbaugh can do it, why can't I?

[5] Geek points for the reference!