Politics

First, here are the last two paintings. I'm still not satisfied with the first one, with the big white blob that looks so pretty in the photo but doesn't translate to canvas very well. The second is a small picture of a couple of apples done from a picture someone lent me. Now on to the subject matter of the day...

Well, the campaign season is in full swing, and the oratory fists are flying, each side trying to land knockout blows to the other candidate. However, by now when things should just be getting interesting, I am feeling campaign exhaustion. I think our election system has gotten way out of control over the last several elections, with people starting to run for office almost as soon as the inauguration is over. After a few years of bitter debate within their own parties, candidates for the major parties emerge to run against each other for another several months . During that time, things that were said about them during the primaries by people of their own parties are brought against them now by the opposition.

And let's not forget the mudslinging. This is another deplorable habit that has gotten increasingly worse over the last several elections. Each election cycle, the candidates promise that they will take the high road, but then someone somewhere says something that hurts someone's feelings, and they're off to the races. Things are beginning to get personal and nasty about now, and it makes me think less of both candidates. These candidates, who may have high ideals about politicking and governing, are coerced by their campaign managers to get in the first blow.

Now we add in all the entertainers who somehow believe that what they think is important, and they add to the propaganda being put out. I have been appalled over the last several years by the amount of public figures who feel free to not only criticize the president, which is their right, but they have gone beyond criticism to outright ridicule of the elected leader of the United States. Now their ridicule has been extended to Gov. Sarah Palin, whom they don't really even know. I believe our elected officials deserve our respect, if only because of their position. You don't have to like them, but it's so disrespectful to call them buffoons and idiots. Apparently, civil discourse has lost its place in America, and it disappoints me.

I guess you can tell that I am pretty much disgusted with politics in the United States and the direction the election process has taken. I admit that I do not think that either candidate would be a particularly good president. However, none of this will keep me from making a choice and voting in November. It is my right and my responsibility, and I as a U.S. citizen, I take that responsibility seriously.

Wow! The debate is over, and so is this post. Life is good....