User:Donb06

Dear Reader,

I was having a discussion with a co-worker in a social situation. He was accompanied by his 10 year old son. The conversation turned to politics and the obvious problems with Congress and getting things done for the American people. The young man asked 3 very simple questions. What is a Republican?, What is a Democrat? and What is the difference between the two? I tried to explain the answers without using big words like philosophy and government regulatory oversight and I began to stammer & studder. Then it occurred to me. Why isn't it simple? Why can't we answer this young man in terms he can understand. My co-worker & I both got flustered and an awkward silence fell over the group. I went home that night feeling embarrassed that I couldn't enlighten this inquisitive young man in a succinct manner. During a long and tossing sleepless night, it came to me. This is the problem with the current American political landscape. The lack of clear discernable politically defined differences is the reason for the American voting public apathy. Just like the young 10 year old, the normal American voter feels there is no clear cut difference between the two political parties. This is why the majority of voters have given up on entering the voting booth and casting their singular, yet very important vote. America is being run, politically by the "Idol" mentality. Our winners are all based on "likeability, not substance". No politician wants to step off the curb with a genuine good idea, because they are afraid to get hit by the oncoming traffic of the media rush hour. They're scrutinized to their molecules and every assertion is pulverized if it is a little off center. The media in its infinite wisdom tries to manipulate any discourse from each extreme side like a ping pong ball. Each side takes a whack at the idea until it ends up off the table or stuck in the middle. Getting any consensus is practically impossible. This is where the American voting public gets myered in issues and loses sight of the big picture, which I believe should be "What is right and where do we go from here?". I thought back to my childhood and being brought up by a socially liberal Democratic father and a fiscally, conservative Republican mother. When my family had our dinner meals together every night and each person was able to express there opinion openly, you can imagine how lively those discussions were. I was the baby of the family, but I quickly learned about passionate discourse. Although, I don't remember any specific conversation where it was explained to me, I was brought up to believe the Democrats were the party with 'heart' and the Republicans were the party of 'money'. Was I wrong? As I see it. As the political landscape evolved over the last 40 years, both parties have tried to be both to everyone and there is no clear difference. Both parties are run by people with money that are trying to stay in power. They'll slap a label on anyone and say "This guy is a Democrat! or They are a Republican!". Then push issue after issue down our throats and we never get to know who the candidate really is because they're not allowed to rock the boat and speak their mind. There's too much money at stake. I long for the simplicity of an earlier age where differences were defined by a person ideals, not by his PAC money backers. I know that this is more complicated then I'm expressing, but 'What is the answer?' to the young man question? Do you know? Would you please tell me, tell someone. Please explain it like I was that 10 years old little boy, because "Damn It", I feel like him, right now!

Sincerely,

Donb06 Fairfax, Va.