In My Craw...

Political ads - they really bug me! Especially when a politician parades his children across the television screen - your kids are not running for office; keep their faces off the television. Talk about exploitation - but no, all the guy or gal is doing is showing they are "good family people." Ah, NO! A good family person would not exploit their children in an attempt to win an election. Oh, and isn't it just the worst right now? You can't watch television for five minutes without seeing a television ad! What a pain in the backside. It is not like they are saying anything they mean. Why don't they just tell the truth - "Yes my name is Lisa and I would like to be your representative in Washington (political ad on TV right now - guy has his mother peddling his story, his mother for goodness sakes - whose Mom is going to say something bad? OK, maybe once in a while our Moms told the truth about us, but not on television) Where was I? "My name is Lisa and I would like to represent you in Washington. I want to live in Washington because it is a cool city. You will pay for a neat apartment in which I can entertain all of my family and frineds. You will pay for my vacations. I will accept money from lobbyists - you don't expect me to live on the $350,000 which my colleagues voted as our pay raise last session? I need the lobbyist's money - it keeps me in touch with the issues. I will show up to vote, when I can - I will be busy.  There is so much to see in Washington. Of course once you elect me I will start my campaign for re-election, that will keep me busy - I will read some bills and my staff will write up some stuff to put my name on so you can see it in the local paper (I want you to believe I am working hard for our district)" This is what politicians should say - of course not all politicians are the same - some actually go to Washington because they want change, they believe in public service, they believe in our democratic process - There are still idealist amongst us, I'm afraid they probably end up beaten down by the system - Where is Jimmy Stewart when you need him (Mr. Smith goes to Washington - what a great movie) These political ads are so negative, why bother? I would not expect my opponent to say anything good about me; didn't their mother's teach them - if you don't have anything nice to say, shut your pie hole! We have to educate ourselves - watch C-Span once in a while, read a newspaper, of course all the news is on the internet. BBC has the best coverage of our news (in my opinion anyway) The Brits, they don't mix words. Some politicians look great on television, some can give a great speech (probably written by someone else) but they present it well! Washington is a tough city, hard to make it there - fresh ideas they get very little play. Are they any individuals who want to actually change the system? Let me know if you find them because that is who I will vote for. We need change! First thing Congress should do is enact a law banning political ads which say anything negative about an opponent, then ban children in ads, and mothers - if an individual wants to run for office, go right ahead! Run all you want, just leave your family out of it - look at Chelsea Clinton - she was used by her parents (and I am a Clinton fan, but they used that poor girl) she endured the whole BJ thing, stumped for her mother (though her facial expression was similiar to someone getting a root canal) She really kept to herself - she did not make headlines with drug problems, or alcohol problems, or flunking out of school - not even headlines for making the Dean's List - she stayed away from the spotlight, could we give her respect enough to have her wedding day be hers'? NOOOOOO! Media maniacs wanted every little moment exposed. That Sucks!!!! And finally, let us all realize right here and right now, a truisim my Mommie and Chickie always said; "If it seems to good to be true, it is too good to be true!" Politicians are people, and we are people and I know if someone checked my closet (they wouldn't find me, I crack myself up) but they would find the bushels of mistakes I have made! Now, turning 47 next week, I would not make headlines for having an affair, I would not be arrested for drinking and driving, I would not have porn on my computer - but people do these things, in our imperfect selves we make bad choices - we should know better - especially if they have chosen to be in politics; however, I think we know by now those with the light shining brightest on them, and having grown up, or been given a sense of entitlement - well they screw up! John Edwards appeared so good - Ahhhh, too good to be true - but come on, Clinton? You know that man believed he was a stud-muffin. On that point, you know, being president of the US is a tough job, let him have a BJ if he wants - if having a little something something on the side clears his head and relaxes him - let him have all he wants - Shoot, look at Tiger Woods without his something something on the side he can't play golf much better than me - The President should be calm, if a little side show helps him keep his wits about him while all others are losing theirs - let him have what he needs. He does have the power to pretty much wipe out civilization - le'ts not let him get all stressed out from sex withdrawal. Oh well, no one really wants to hear the truth - No, I don't believe that - we want the truth - "We can handle the truth" (I said that with my Jack Nicholson face) The truth would be refreshing - Our political system will not change over night, however - if each of us takes just a bit more interest - well, perhaps, maybe - if the stars all align - Ah, who am I kidding - No, I won't give in that easily! Can we at least start with the elimination of these darned commercials - one dude has spent $16 million dollars - if he had given that money to LAUSD we could have a full school year and even some paper for the students to write on, and food service staff and shoot maybe even a nurse - instead, we have annoying commercials - (another one is on) Reform, a word often used in those commercials - sadly, it remains a word!