I Think They're All Drunk At This Political Party

I've been very turned off to politics lately. So much of what goes on in Washington is both unknown to me and so confusing for your ordinary citizen of the United States that it almost makes no difference in how much we follow or participate in our political process. I don't want people to think I am promoting apathy, but I am a realist. However, today, something went on in our political sphere by which I was very intrigued. President Obama was taking open questions at the House Republican Retreat. Now, I could go on about what I think is going on at that retreat, but I am not trying to be crude, crass or sassy towards any particular political party in this blog post. What I am trying to do is speak towards the accomplishment I believe this particular event may have within our political realm.

I am not a staunch follower of American politics, but to my knowledge, I have never seen a President answer questions at an event like this for the opposing political party. I certainly never saw W do it, and frankly, I was too young to give a shit about what Clinton was doing (although I knew he got blown by an intern.... great way to shape a 7th grader's mind). I thought this was the most healthy forum for political debate and banter which I have ever seen in this country. The Republicans acted very civil (for the most part) towards President Obama, and I thought he handled himself very well in the face of a very adverse situation.

Side Note: For the record, I am a proud independent and critic of both political parties, although I do support President Obama.

Obama brought up one point in particular which verbalized what I have been trying to say for so long. He talked about politicians "boxing themselves in" and needing to use "tones of civility instead of slash and burn." He brought up the point that in our political system, there has been so much bickering and bantering lately; there are so many attacks towards the other party (Democrat or Republican) that it is making it impossible to get things done. Even if you agree with a particular bill the other party has presented, you've talked so much shit about them in the past that your constituency will see you as weak, or a "flip-flopper" for voting for that particular bill; thus, resulting in you not being re-elected. Even if that bill has ideals and principles within it which are consistent with your beliefs and your party's beliefs, you simply cannot vote for it. Isn't this ridiculous? Is this what Washington DC has become? Are we in a perpetual state of election season?

The answer to all of those questions is "yes," and it saddens me to say so. Politicians, who generally have always been out for their own causes and their own benefit, are constantly worried about reelection. They are so worried about their reelection that it is hurting the American people because literally nothing can get done. This is why politics is all bullshit and it almost makes no difference to care or not to care. It doesn't matter who is President, who controls the Senate, or who controls the House. It seems as though one party actually wants the other party to be in control, that way they can talk so much shit about them, they look like the "good guys", and by the time elections come again, their party will be voted in this time. It's the ebb and flow of American politics. That's why the conglomerate of Republican or Democratic strongholds within the seats of congress never last more than 2 terms or so in modern politics. It's like a tug-o-war battle. The little ribbon in the middle of the rope is going from side to side. An inch or two one way, and then an inch or two the other way. This happens over and over, repeatedly, until the end of time. Nobody ever fucking wins! And the real losers are the American people. Why can't we keep that ribbon in the middle and throw all of the bullshit "politics" out the door and actually work for the American people?

I've been saying this for a long time and I know it will NEVER happen, but imagine a world where political parties did not exist? Wouldn't that be great? A world where people ran based on the merits of their ideals and ideas and couldn't hide behind a party's structure or weren't criticized based upon the group to which they belonged. I'm not sure about other mayoral seats, but I know the Dallas mayoral seat is a non-party affiliated seat, which I think is pretty cool. Candidates can actually run based on who they are as individuals. I know it's idealistic thinking and it will never happen, but I think it would be incredible to see that on a national spectrum. It would be great to be able to see Independents or parties other than Republicans or Democrats win more elections. I have a feeling that my generation (which I have named the Liquid Soap Generation) is becoming more and more irritated with the way things are going and one day these idealistic thoughts may become a realist actuality. Let's hope so at least.