Today is, of Course, Election Day... Is Tomorrow Depression Day?

Today in the USA we all rush to the polls and cast our vote for whom we think our next leader should be. Unfortunately, for many, if not most, we end up casting our votes in a "lesser of the evils" mindset.

I don't know about you but I always feel all of the candidates are somewhat lacking. For me Election Day is usually followed by depression day. I never really feel like I am involved in a real choice for the better word is always dilemma.

I also think the mindset of my fellow voters is a bit off. I am not one who feels that the government should get me a job, find me a house and I certainly don't think they should be bailing out businesses. Has it ever occurred to any one other than me, that the economy might suck because we have gotten lazy and lame?

Well I am off my soap box and ready to stand in line after work. Your thoughts are welcome.

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Comment by John "Lumpy" Lemke on November 4, 2008 at 1:35pm: Wow... Lots of great comments all. Thanks. I hope others are as enthusiast about voting. I was rather disturbed when I was told that I was the 100th person to vote at my location at 3PM in the afternoon.

Comment by Persian Paladin on November 4, 2008 at 11:58am: Yea; its silly really tbh - the change to a more service-driven, consumer-oriented and outsourced corporatist-monopoly has made people become too individualist and at the same time; dependent on the Fed (in every sense of the word). Its a bit ironic really; many people want socialism yet they are much less communal than they used to be and don't care as much about their fellow man.

Its a paradox really; what happened to common sense in politics?

Comment by Christopher Burns on November 4, 2008 at 11:44am: Did I see a Dennis Kucinich reference in there? My friends I am from Ohio, very close to the district Kucinich represents and trust me when I tell you, we hear all we need to from him :)

I whole heartedly agree with you John, there is something odd this election year. It appears to me that people have abandoned any form of common sense. It is great that passion still exists but when it comes to electing the president we are obligated to look beyond our emotions and see what the candidates really represent. No candidate will ever reflect your or my views completely, and that is the essence of a democracy; the voices of the many outweigh the voices of the few.

It appears many are being driven to the polls for reasons other than policy. Many are being driven to the polls who do not even exist, which genuinely makes me sad for our voting process. I fear either way the election ends there will be civil unrest for quite some time.

Finally, your comment about lazy and lame is probable an understatement. Our work ethic has all but evaporated, even those who still have the desire and motivation to become successful entrepreneurs must worry about litigation, taxes and disgruntled employees sabotaging their efforts.

It seems to me many people have an inexplicable sense of entitlement when it comes to issues like employment, housing, and possessions in general.

Comment by John "Lumpy" Lemke on November 4, 2008 at 11:28am: I think some of the comments about us becoming a nation of "whiners" is correct though. In our historic past, the government served the common man because "Joe Farmer" (Sorry folks plumbing in those days was an outhouse and a well.) was elected, did some civil service, and went back to the plow.

Furthermore, Joe also knew that his neighbors and friends would march and rally in those days. Today, we have our 205 channels of cable, our DSL Internet and we choose to whine. We are also fully aware that it would take the government little thought to use the military against the civilian population even though that is not the law of our land.

I don't see it changing until the powers that be very seriously fear another Tea Party,

Comment by Persian Paladin on November 4, 2008 at 11:11am: It just comes down to monopoly imo. The problem with the current system is that the rich corporations lobby in congress and have too much influence; it should be the people that influence the government and its implementations of tax payers money.

I think there needs to be a middle way where people have more say through open-debates; more state-level contribution into helping communities and making dreams fulfilled; more encouraging people to have extended family support networks to prevent isolation of the young and the elderly and dependence on the central government. Prudence, balanced living, and looking after your fellow man does not make you a socialist - it just makes you responsible. Handing over taxes to a central government in the hands of a few corporate interests will put you into dependence on THEIR terms; whereas power should be with the people on more local levels and after-school driven charity programs to eliminate unemployment and isolationism.

Comment by John "Lumpy" Lemke on November 4, 2008 at 11:04am: Some good thoughts and well said Persian Paladin. Personally, The media and corporations do negatively contribute. Personally, I think our entrenchment in a two party system is also very contributory.

Comment by Persian Paladin on November 4, 2008 at 10:05am: I think there is too much corporate lobbying involved in politics; and basically these influence the mainstream media and help restrict the candidates' publicity and prevent open debates from taking place. America needs open debates, just like it needs a free market economy with a small government that serves the people; rather than aims to control it through unjust taxation and discriminatory social-welfare programs.

I feel people like Ralph Nader, Kucinich and Ron Paul were closed-off by the mainstream media and they believe that corporatism has gotten too much influence. The government borrows money from the fed reserve that prints money out of nothing, and the people pay-off the interest in taxes. If there wasn't so much of a monopoly; then there would not need to be so much social welfare and taxation programs. People could help alleviate unemployment through state-level and community-driven charities and also better schooling. Reduce overspending on credit cards and debt-driven spending and encourage saving. I do believe in SOME public ownership such as healthcare (which actually WORKS in Canada) but I think government power should be restricted and people should help each other willingly to encourage creative honest hard-work, rather than government-dependency or corporate-slavery.

Comment by John "Lumpy" Lemke on November 4, 2008 at 9:57am: Well MOTU add to that the fact that your pay will likely stay the same and your taxes are likely going to increase. I seriously think we should form a movement to make the day after Election Day "Depression Day"... Maybe even get the pharmaceutical companies to sponsor it?