What do you expect...Blame Yourselves

We often blame those in DC for the problems or reward them for the successes. However, what I think gets lost in the shuffle is that many people who aren't in those seats seem to think they have all the answers. I find it really funny how every year the general public like to nitpick at every little thing that Congress or the President does. For the sake of brevity, I will only focus on those two because overall there isn't too much uproar in local government unless the men and women in office are clearly detrimental to the city and/or county and its people. The middle section, state politics, has a similar feeling at its root. Unless there is shady business or misjudgments by the government officials they are usually pretty safe from criticism overall. However the big difference (cause it is pretty big) is the effects of the state from the Governor and at times; their legislature. As we see this year, New Jersey and Virginia are at the forefront of state politics due to the fact that they have races for Governor taking place this November. Both races could lead to a new Governor and with that a new party in the charge of the statehouse. Its all part of the political process.

Despite, what the "general public" like to call "constant lies and failures", we see over 90% return rate in Congressional elections. To me, as someone who has studied politics and try to break down the consistent dislike of Congress as a whole; it does baffle me at times due to that high percentage. I am well aware of the power of being an incumbent. Once you get the job of Senator or Representative, as long as you play your cards right, serve those who elected you, get your name on a few things, and stay fairly clean and avoid catastrophe; you are going to be golden going into that next election. In presidential elections, it has a similar feel with not as much of a high percentage of getting reelected. A lot of what transpires in at least Congressional elections is the fact that especially House members: usually you serve areas or states that lean toward your party; whether it is Democratic or Republican. If you serve a liberal or conservative district and are part of that party, you have a very easy road to election.

That leads to my overall argument and analysis on this matter: if you seem to care so much about Congress doing their jobs correctly, why do you reelect the ones who probably shouldn't be there? If you have such a big problem with the way that the president handles the array of issues on his table, why don't you think about how much better you could do and/or whom he's replacing? And if you have such a problem with who is the president or who is in Congress, make sure you vote. You essentially lose your right to cry and yell, kick and shout, and anything your heart desires over what our elected officials are doing for you or not. As one of my high school teachers once told me "if you didn't read the book you lost the right to criticize it." Well, what I would like to tell every American (in the nicest way possible)who doesn't vote and proceeds to criticize what either President Obama does or what Congress is doing; "you lost your right to criticize when you didn't vote!"

Going further, I would like to take a look at a couple of the most recent elections and make a correlation between presidential and congressional elections and turnouts. Look at the two most recent elections: 2008 (a presidential election) and 2006 (a non-presidential/midterm election year). In 2008, there 231,229,580 who were of voting age with 132,618,580 people voting, which is 56.8%. In 2006, 220,600,000 were of voting age with 80,588,000 voting, which is 37.1%. Roughly a 20% drop in non-presidential election year. To me there is something that is wrong with that. Important issues and results were at stake in both years, but since there was not a contest for president that 20% felt it wasn't important to go vote or couldn't. Over many of the cycles of the 20th century those numbers have been fairly consistent. It was in the upper 60% region a couple times and midterm years the number has only gotten into the low 40% region. Its pretty clear that things haven't really changed over the years in certain areas and voting excitement is definitely one of them. Allow me to make a bold prediction: all these people who are outraged and angered and have had enough; a large percentage of them WILL NOT VOTE in 2010. Facts are facts and these don't lie and as much I want to say things will change; I just can't see that happening soon. 2008 had so much excitement around it and still couldn't generate more than 60% of the voting electorate. What will it take for people to realize voting IS a right that you are born with and should use it.

Of course, I am also aware of the fact that millions vote and the person they vote for doesn't get elected; well I would also like to say as nicely as possible that is going to happen from time to time. Your candidate may not win, but still vote! Get used to it! America is based on a democracy and a majority system. If 50+1 feel that one person is better or more qualified for an office then that is the way it works. By complaining for 2, 4, or 6 years; in whatever case it may be; it is not going to make things any better for you or change the result. I sometimes wonder if my opinions are a result of my education and studying of history and politics and the lack of overall knowledge that many people might have for either area. At the same time, I find myself approaching every issue worth a discussion in our world today with a rational mind. I see the far right ideology preaching one thing and the far left ideology preaching another thing. One isn't better or worse than the other; they are just bad in general for what is best for the country. There is a major problem in this country with a paranoia and often time it is used to enhance an argument. Again is it really helping people? Nope! People need to start spending more time accumulating their own opinions and accepting an open-mind. Take a look at both sides of the argument. See what the other side sees as important. If you are undecided that process of gathering your own opinion becomes even more important. When people start and think about what is being said or what they are saying; then we will all be better off moving forward.

Continuing, I realize that often there are discussions involving who has what right to what and what are people's God given rights. Well, I'll save you time on one: everyone without a negative record (usually jail time of some sort) is entitled the right to vote. It is what all non-white males have fought for through rallies, protests, and actions that have made this country the land of rights for its people. So, before you go complaining about what you don't have; treasure one of the things you do have. It shouldn't take a presidential election to drag you out to the polls and thus help put individuals in your states or congressional districts in the Capitol. It can be something as small as a school board election. There is no election too small because every election has some form of an impact. But obviously every time that there is a Presidential election or Congressional election or Governor election, GO AND VOTE! Take the time to consider who the main candidates are. See who matches your viewpoints closest. Look at them as two or three or however as many people are running as individuals, then you can at least say that you voted for the person who you thought would do best. Until more people begin to take this type of approach to politics and the arena that surrounds it; the fighting will continue and the problems that need to be solved will have to fight that reverse wave. Use "your voice" properly. Open your mind. Facts will always be more vital then lies. There may not be no "I" in team, but there is one in America and there are too many people with that mindset of me before we.

Start to think about others over yourself every time you vote or make an argument or oppose something. That is what the men and women who are voted to serve us in Washington DC or your statehouse try to do. I know at least most try to do so and you have the right to question those who don't. But just because they don't reflect your opinions, doesn't automatically mean they are doing their job wrong. Again it goes back to an open mindset and thinking of us and we before I. At the same time, use the next time they are up for election to vote for someone else under the provision that the other person running is better qualified. Often times party ideology and party politics and partisanship cloud the real important things that more people should focus on. The less we focus and embrace those aspects, the better everyone will be. Too many times slanted statements and "facts" and negativity cloud what could be in terms of people running and working to help you. Vote on the issues. Look at the issues. Stop bringing up other aspects that aren't important.

If you take nothing else from this, take this: vote and every night before you go to sleep take a moment to think about what the President or your members of Congress have to go through each day. Their primary purpose is supposed to be to uphold what has been established and find ways and measures to improve what we have. However, due to being an elected official they are constantly working through each term they are given to get another term or terms. They are worried about the certain group who controls their fate: the voting population. It shouldn't be interest groups and others who want something deciding things. Give these individuals a little more breathing room and we will see the results you want to see. Money doesn't grow on trees and results don't happen overnight. Take the time to understand what they are doing and care for the right reasons. That is what politics is supposed to be about: public service.