A Little Politics

I have a friend who has considered running for a political position, but he is worried some of his "secrets" from the past will be raised and he'd rather not have them see the light of day.  Personally, I think he would be great for the job, and having known him since our school days, his past should be his past and left alone.

Of course, if he had been part of some subversive group back in his college years, I'd question that, but, then again, that was forty years ago and if he hasn't been "actively" involved with that group during the last forty years, I'm pretty sure he's clean.

Did he smoke pot?  Take drugs?  I don't know and I don't really care.  Is he or has he been taking them in the last 10 weeks? 10 days? 10 minutes?  Even 10 seconds ago? Now, that would be my question.

What I think is his basic problem is a little unknown secret of exploration during the sixties. [I know he hasn't smoked pot or been involved with a subversive group, so I'm guessing at this.] Everyone slept around.  So what if you woke up in a stranger's bed and the person happen to be a hooker or, even as a worst case scenario, the same sex as you.  You're not sleeping around now and have been true to your wife for the last almost fifty years.

For some strange reason we, Joe Public, feel a person in politics should be squeaky clean. We place them on a pedestal, and they should shine. Even my pastor confided to me, he is a man, not a saint, and if pushed, he can get angry and cuss with the best of them. He asks forgiveness, but, as he said, he is a man. But, I digress. Should our politicians be squeaky clean?

NO!

No one man could ... not even Jesus could stand up to that type of scrutiny. Think about it. Jesus had "hoes" and men of questionable reputations, such as a tax collector, as his buddies and sidekicks. Today, over 2.2 billion people claim this same man, Jesus, as their Savior. Nobody would have voted him "Man to Succeed" back then!

So, the bottom line is simple.  Can the person do the job?  Is the fact that he took a "toke" on a joint back in 1968 or woke up with another guy who claims it was one of the best nights or paid $20 for a quickie at some dive while attending college - is that critical to his position?

Now, if this person has been in a political position and has been pocketing money from special interest groups for votes and/or taking drugs and/or sleeping around - yeah, time to evaluate your choice. If the person is already a political figure, I expect them to represent ME and put forth their best effort to be a figure to look up to.

My buddy seems to me to be a good choice from what I know of him.

At the present time, as I see it, most of Congress should consider themselves eligible for deployment elsewhere.  Being a Senator or House Rep is a position of honor, it is NOT a career opportunity.  Too many of them are there, and been there, for way too long.

I would love to see a bill passed that had the following articles of conditions for members of Congress:

1. Service not to exceed 2 terms, once filled, cannot serve again
2. Salary will be voted by the public, and only the public - you are a servant of the public
3. Must have served a minimum of 2 years military, this applies to both male and female
4. If a bill is passed applying to the public, it applies also to Congress - you are not exempt
5. Money will be set aside, just like the rest of the public, for your retirement - it will NOT be your salary amount - your current salary and retirement fund is our (the public's) taxes.
6. Any monies discovered taken from special interest groups (lobbyists) will result in swift termination. This is direct or indirect funding by a lobbyist.
7. Any involvement in sex or drugs brought to attention will be handled swiftly - resignation.
8. The rest of the world is awake at their jobs, therefore no sleeping in session.

I was a little leery about the "sex and drugs" but I figure, if you're in Congress or any political office, you can keep your zipper up and your nose clean for those few years.  If it happened before and/or after their term of service - I don't care. Of course, if a political member is questioned about monies taken, sex, or drugs, I still see justice being served with a proper hearing.  BUT, the idea of spending $50+ million dollars "in discovery" is ridiculous. A reasonable hearing is all that is needed, not a slack-stick Hollywood production.

Also, all these so-called "junkets" to foreign countries or elsewhere to validate some obscure aspect is a waste of our money. Does the First Lady really need to shop in Paris? Or does the town mayor really need to spend five days at a convention where the rooms cost $275 or more per day? Or have an alcohol tab of an excessive amount? If the political person wants to drink, pay for it yourself! I have to, why not you?

What people seem to forget is one simple fact: Any money the government spends is YOUR money paid in taxes.  The U. S. government, state government, county government, even city government, is not a company making money - they aren't selling anything... well, they sell us a lot of BS, but that's another story. Any money they have is OUR money we've paid in taxes. There is not a PROFIT margin like a corporation or company.

Back to the problem at hand - If a person wants to run for a political office, it should be about that person's ability to handle the position and if there are certain "terms" of that position, the person should be able to meet them or not run.  What I am saying, if you need to be 35 and a U.S. citizen, show them your birth certificate.  The fact that you got arrested for stealing a watch from WalMart when you were 19 years old has nothing to do with your ability, at age 55, to be a County Commissioner or Senator.

Some skeletons should be left in the closet - that's why they're there!!

So what are your thoughts?  Am I wrong?

Until next I ramble on...

Memorial Day

Today I am going to keep it short and sweet.

I am proud to be an American.  I have served my country, giving 5 years duty in the U.S. Navy.

Today I want to honor those who served and gave their all.  Some came home, some didn't.  I was one of the lucky ones to survive - I gave my best; my friend, Jerry, he gave his all.

He never got to enjoy the rest of his life. He was only nineteen.

Today I am in disgust as teenagers think it is cute to stand on the American flag or burn it.  I watch foreigners come to this country and demand we change things to make their life comfortable as it was in their homeland.

To them I say:

If you don't like America, even if you were "forced" to be born in this country - I'm sure there are other places you can go to get away from the lifestyle Jerry gave his life for you to have.  If you don't want it, leave.

To the foreigners who came to America in search of a new life.  If your old ways are so great, go back home.  Your motherland will accept you and it will be the way you want.

This is America.  We've spent over 200 years getting it to where it was in 1976 and in the last 25 years, I've watched it deteriorate into a fearful nation.  We are afraid we will offend.

I learned English in school.  My grandfather came from Ireland and spoke Gaelic.  He learned English.  Many others of my forefathers came from other European countries and when they arrived in the wonderful land of America, in tears, they were glad to escape the old life.  They adopted the new ways and they happily learned English - to be American. They were proud.

To those who don't respect my service to my country or see no reason to honor my friend, Jerry, or any of my other friends who lost parts of their body for your right to live in America... LEAVE.

Trust me, America will survive without you.  In fact, it will be better.  Take your ugly asses out of MY country.  I have no use for you since you obviously have no use for America other than to destroy it.

It is time for Americans, true Americans, to stand up and say: Enough is enough.

Take the time to honor those who can't be with us today.  This is Memorial Day - we honor those who gave their all. It isn't about having a picnic or family get-together.  It is about your freedom and the price paid for it.  Don't be so quick to throw it away.

To those who served, I honor you.  To those who died, I thank you for your all you gave.

I am an American and I shall wave Old Glory until I die.

Until next I ramble on...