Why I hate Politics.

           The one thing I hate about elections is the never ending rhetoric.  The thing that is different this year than from 4 years ago is the profuse use of face book in the campaign.  This means I see a ton of posts attacking each party.  What it comes down to is the fact that there is no real positive message from any candidate.  I have heard a few statements on what they intend to do in office, but usually it is over run by negatives on either side.  It has become of a game of who is less evil instead of who is better and it makes me sad.
         The question is, if a law were passed that required a week of positive messages only during each campaign, would we hear anything from either candidate?  It seems that they have taken the old adage of "if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything," and turned it around to say, "If you don't have anything good to say about someone, put it on air."  It is a sad state of affairs.  What really makes it suck is that it has become what people expect.  If we got a politician that was honest (yes, I know, honest politician is an oxymoron), I think people wouldn't vote for him on the grounds that he was too different.
       Speaking of honest politicians, growing up, I actually knew one.  He was our local state representative.  The story goes that he was first elected without campaigning because the people in his district knew him and felt he would do right by them.  He was a farmer and was one of the people.  Between sessions he actually returned to his farm and worked, politics was something he did as an extra duty and he claimed his profession as farmer.  You actually had to point out that he was a representative because he looked at it as a side gig.  The funny thing is, he never campaigned but he was re-elected year after year.  One year he even had an opponent.  The funny thing was the opponent got 5 votes, his, his wife’s, his campaign manager, his campaign manager’s wife, and the incumbent.  The sitting representative said he voted for his opponent because he didn't really want the job but would continue to do it as long as the people wanted him to and he was competent to do it.  He finally resigned at 82 or so and it was a loss.
       I used to say I was a republican and would never agree with a democrat.  I have sense come to realize that that mind set is exactly what is wrong in government.  The largest problem we have in our government is that we have become polarized with very few exceptions.  Either you are a republican or a democrat; if you claim to be independent you are labeled as indecisive.  What further complicates this is that if you have convictions and stand by them no matter what, you are a radical and a hatemonger; if you go with the current trends, you are pandering; and if you compromise you are a traitor to your party or an indecisive fool.  We have decided it is better to give negative labels to people rather than look at what their decisions are based on.  I would rather vote for a man that follows his convictions and votes against his party than for a man that follows the party line no matter what.  I would rather vote for a man that compromises to get things done over a man that refuses to listen to the opposing party because they are the opposing party.  We as a people have allowed this to happen and we as a people have directed it.  It is no coincidence that the very people we complain about hold the power to limit what we can do about it.  The saddest part is that the independents have very little influence.  They are such a minority that the only influence they have is when the parties are deadlocked and even that is rare.
            The one thing that makes this worse is that the politicians start looking at the next election almost as soon as they are elected.  Instead of looking at what this country needs, they are looking at what will make them look good for the next election.  The only regular exceptions are a second term president or a senator that has decided to retire.  It is a rare politician these days that repeatedly does what is best for the country over what his party wants. 
               Am I to critical of all this?  Maybe, but then again, if I weren't wouldn't I be like most of us who just take what the media gives us as truth and move on.  Sure, most of what the media says is true, but then a half truth is still true even if it isn't the whole story.  The media takes some flak, but most of it is directed at the "extreme" media.  Those sources that make no secret of their political leanings and jump on anything that helps their party affiliation are targeted most harshly allowing the more subtle sources to be taken at face value. 
               The most interesting part is that, with a little research, you can find the truth and it usually isn't what you are led to believe.  Both sides use statistics and numbers that, while true, only tell a part of the story at best or are downright misleading.  Take the "discretionary spending" argument used to cut the DOD budget.  In budget speak, discretionary means anything not specified by amount to be spent.  In other words, if the amount to be spent is estimated, it is discretionary.  Since caring for personnel (medical, logistical, pay, etc.) is estimated it is discretionary.  This means the department uses its discretion to ensure the people are paid and cared for properly.  So is it right to say that the DOD has a large discretionary budget?  Yes it is very true.  But then, by the budgetary definition of discretionary, teachers, policemen, firefighters, roads, electrical power, and the air traffic controllers are all discretionary as well. 
            The problem isn't what it means; it is how it is used.  The politicians use it knowing that most people will read it as the department has a choice on whether they spend it or not and thus can just cut it.  To most people, discretionary means that part of the budget spent on extras.  Discretionary means to them the excess after bills are paid, not the portion used to pay bills that are in flux.  If we used discretionary the way the government uses discretionary, our electrical, gas, water, grocery, and clothing would be a discretionary part of our budget.  I don't know about you, but I think I would be in a little bit of trouble if I just stopped using or paying for all of that. 
          I guess what I am saying is that we as Americans have to stop looking at the surface of what we are told by the media and politicians.  It is our responsibility to dig deeper and find the truth in what is being said and discover where it is we really fall on the issues.  What is said may be true, but that doesn't mean it is the truth of the matter.  A twisted truth may still be true, but it becomes a lie when it is interpreted wrongly.  Take the time to look into the truth.
        Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Candidate report: Obama.

          I find myself in a peculiar position.  The following report on Obama is not as in depth as I wish but I feel compelled to share it anyway.  I ask that you read it all before you dismiss it and comment freely if you feel so lead.  I delineate between facts, conjecture, and opinion at the end.  I did not list the specific sites for my research as I didn't write them down as they were found via google searches and those searches are easy to duplicate (e.g. name/net worth or name/voting record).  I used government websites for the most part for my data as I don't trust most news outlets to be impartial.  So without further ado, please read on.
            As I did what little searching I could, I discovered somethings that were not telling nor useful.  For instance, Obama voted along hte party line nearly 100% of the time.  The few times he didn't did not stand out as a stance in any direction.  In other words, he has voted as one who seeks the party's nod for office.  He has played politics almost his entire career.  his monet comes mainly from books he has written.  Books which, on the surface, appear to be politcal retoric and self promotion.  This isn't to say he is poor, at a net worth of over 2 Million, he is better off than most Americans.  The funny thing is, through all of this, I found a picture of a man that is a politician.  He has a law degree, but really hasn't practiced law.  He taught law in Chicago for a while, but that is something that most politicians do as they start their careers.  In other words, Obama is a career politician.  I haven't really seen anything that tells me he is anything other than the Democrat Party mouth piece.  Nothing I have seen or read has convinced me he has anything he personnaly stands for.  The things he claims as successes were either started by other people or given to him by his party.
             As I read what I just typed, I find myself amaazed that what I typed is almost exactly what you would expect to find on a republican website.  I understand a lot of it is conjecture and opinion, but then most of it must be as there is a lot of contradicting reports out there.  The few facts I found (net worth and voting record) came off of government websites.  As for my thoughts on the books, they were based on the wikipedia article for them (and we all know how highly regarded that is as a source) and thus I call my stance on that conjecture.  As I put everything I had researched and everything I have seen and heard in the past 3 years from both sides (I do have democrat friends), I came to a personal belief (read also as opinion) that Obama is not a man of principles so much as a Democrat that has done well in his party.
         One final thing I feel I should point out here.  My research is not as in depth as I would like it to be.  Through out his carreer he voted on literally thousands of bills (96% of the time he voted with his party), I only reviewed the ones listed as important and based my opinion on those.  I welcome anything you may want to add, I just ask that you note what is fact, conjecture, and opinion and include sources with your facts.  I am not above changing my mind or my opinions if the situation warrants it, but in this case, I don't think Obama is the one I would vote for.
           Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Voting part II: Where do we go from here

           After reading yesterday's post again, I realized I have no clue what is important to you, my readers, in a candidate.  So, I will allow you to direct my research as much as is possible.  Currently I plan on researching the candidates stance on the military (pay, size, direction), how they voted in the past (along party lines or for the country), and current promises.  If you want to see me research something beyond this, let me know either in person, or in the comments (I prefer the comments as it gives me a written record and the comments are open to all).
            Now to today's post.  I was going to write about military pay and how it is less than it should be, but I decided against it since I know most of the people who read this, either support the military, served in the military, or just couldn't care less otherwise.  With that in mind I decided to delete all I had written (and it was a lot) and go with a follow up to yesterday.  As I said above, I am looking for input as to what to research.  I would also like to add, who to research.  Obviously, I will be researching the presidential candidates and the candidates and issues for my area (Bremerton, Kitsap county, Washington State), but beyond that, I really am not sure what it is you might be interested in.  There are 9 Months until the election, so now is the time to start looking.  If my research takes less than a month, then I will post it when I am done, otherwise, I will only spend a month researching.
            Remember, it may be your right to vote, but if you waste it by voting for who ever is prettiest, you may not get much more than a pretty face. 
            Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Voting: not just a right, a responsability

           I just noticed it has been over a week since my last post.  I apologize for that, it has been a busy and weird week.  Last week, it snowed as many of you know.  This prevented me from going to work and kept me at home with the wife and kids.  I had fun with them, but time got away from me and I was unable to post anything.  A quick update, the drier finally died and we have since replaced it.  In the process, we had to replace the vent ducting for it and decided to go with an indoor vent.  It is an interesting device and cut the replacement cost in half and does a great job of heating the boys bathroom and the dining room.  The only problem with it is that it also raises the humidity.  Now the Washer is threatening to go.  Oh well, at least the house is still standing. 
          I keep finding myself stuck in a quandary of what to post.  I have made my stance on many things known and do not feel the need to reiterate them again just to incite argument.  I think it would be wrong to do so as that is the only reason I can see to re post my stance on any one of these hot topic issues.  I try to keep myself up to date on current events and comment as I see appropriate, but I find myself hitting on the same issues again and again.  The only outcome of those posts is anger and disappointment.  Unless something new comes up or I get a request for a rehash, I think I will try to keep from revisiting those topics. 
          That leaves me with the question of what to write.  I think I will talk about voting.  This year it is obviously important to vote.  I intend to vote here in Washington for the first time as a Washingthon citizen.  It should be interesting.  I would encourage everyone to vote.  Not just to check a box, to make sure they are informed.  In other words, you need to make sure you know who you are voting for and why.  Further, the answer to why, should never be, because they belong to X party.  Learn about the candidates.  What qualifies them for the job.  If they are up for DA, how long have they been practicing criminal justice.  If they are up for the legislature, what qualifies them to lead?  How do they intend to do as they promise?  What is their track record and what has happened recently that might change how they act?  these are the important questions.
            As for the Presidential seat, you have to ask yourself, does the candidate really have a clue as how to lead or is he just a pretty face that can make a speech?  The president isn't just a bill signer, he is also the military's commander in chief.  When there are tough military decisions to be made, can you trust your candidate to make the right ones?  The president is also the face of America to many nations.  Can you trust him not to alienate allies and incite enemies?  Their are so many factors that go into who you vote for as the president, that you can't trust just the media.  All media has bias, some more obvious than others, and thus you need to research on your own.  Check sources, and compare.  Somewhere in the middle is the truth.  Just remember, three different sites is not necessarily three different sources.  Check the author and their sources. 
           Then you get to throw in ballot measures.  Those pesky little things that are put to the people.  Last year we had a measure that, when passed, allowed stores here in Washington to sell hard liquor for the first time (the state used to run liquor stores).  There was a lot of advertisements and hype from both sides.  Only by reading the actual initiative and summary, could you make an informed decision.
          The gist of all of this is simply, be informed.  You have homework before you vote, if you want to be a good and proper voter.  The upside is that after you vote, if the candidate/initiative you voted for wins, you won't be as surprised by his actions and can actually defend your decision.
          With this in mind, I think I will start researching on candidate per month starting next month and share my findings and views with you.  I will try and make sure that I state what is fact, what is conjecture, and what is opinion (min or otherwise) so that you can make informed decisions.  Unfortunately, we won't know who will actually be on the ballot for a few months so I will start with the incumbents as most are running again and will most likely be on the ballot.  That being said, expect to see my report on Obama by the end of February.
          That is about it for today.  Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.