I have strongly considered running for public office. However, my wife has made it abundantly clear that I would be doing it alone. I can understand her reasoning.
I have been president of my civic association several times. That is a royal pain in the a$$ so I can only imagine what it is like at a higher level.
People attain higher office for just one reason, power. I do not have that desire. At almost 53 years old I have acquired everything I could want in life. I don't aspire to get to the next level because the personal sacrifices would be too great.
This is a true story. I actively backed a Republican candidate for State Legislature. He spoke my language. He's an American Indian raised on a reservation by a single mother. He was the first person from his family to go to college. He attained a business degree and took advantage of Affirmative Action (the only issue the we differ on) and started a number of businesses that employed a significant number of people. I think Bryan will agree that it's all about job creation.
He sold his businesses and consulted with State government on health, education, religion, single-parenting, abortion, welfare and a host of other Republican hot buttons. He sat on the boards of numerous charities, schools, civic associations and businesses.
His opponent ran virtually no campain and got reelected by a large margin. When I asked people why on earth they voted for a man that has done nothing in 30 years of public life the standard reply was "He hasn't done any harm". That's what gets elected. That's why I won't run for public office.
Actually, I think I'm doing my country a significant service by voicing my opinion. I've been called stupid, ignorant, wombat? and other less endearing terms on this site and I've taken my punches. I also have contributed to the conversation that has been lacking in this country. I don't blindly follow my leaders. I question authority. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and we have to be on our guard to determine the truth about matters.
Whether you agree with me or not I clearly have not waivered in my beliefs. I backed away from the political discourse on this site for awhile after the elections and the conversation died. There were virtually no posts in the political forum until I started tweaking Bryan. We both understand the we are providing a service by initiating a discourse. We are more alike than either of us will admit but we have active discussions.
Yes, I believe that GWB is not an intelligent man. Yes, I believe that GWB has lied to the American people on many levels. Do I believe that GWB has a not so hidden religious agenda; Yes! Do I believe that it's all about oil and the profits it generates; You bet! I have a right to voice those opinions and, if that pisses someone off, well that's good too.
Let me make this clear again. I've been voting since I was 18 and Kerry is the first Democrat I've voted for. I voted against Bush, not for Kerry. That's how strongly I feel that Bush will cause more harm than good. Those are my beliefs. I am entitled to them. Our Constitution guarantees the right to dissent and those that chastise me for doing so are far more unpatriotic than me.
