Shut up already!
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I've gotten too old and inflexible. Maybe I'm out of sync with the times, and simply "sooooooo last century."
After all, I'm a guy who insists that there's a little festival called Thanksgiving which still falls between Halloween and Christmas - all evidence to the contrary. Good Lord, one network was running How The Grinch Stole Christmas last night, local stores are advertising "Holiday Savings!!!" in red and green, and my neighborhood is already festooned with inflatable snowmen and Santas.
Eeesh!
So call me a traditionalist if you will. Label me "old fashioned." But I also seem to remember that there's a moderately important interval between midterm and presidential elections we used to call governing the nation.
Which is why I think one of our first orders of business as a citizenry should be sending a clear message to the media and members of both political parties to quit talking about 2008. Immediately.
Jeezus, people, the metaphorical ink isn't even dry on Tuesday's ballots, and already the airwaves are abuzz with analyses of "presidential front-runners" and "winning tickets." I hate to distract anyone from the business of 24/7 campaigning for the White House, but in case you haven't noticed, there are a few minor problems facing the country that demand some serious consideration first.
Our elected officials already waste far too much of the time they're supposed to be representing our interests assembling election war chests and strategic advisory teams. And they certainly don't need further encouragement from prognosticating pundits who ought to be discussing the things that need fixing over the next two years.
So shut up already about '08, and focus on the little issues at hand. You remember. Iraq. The economy. Civil rights. The environment. Oversight and accountability. A big part of Tuesday's mandate for change was a collective demand that Congress simply do its damn job, and stop making legislative decisions based on how well they'll play in a spate of 30-second campaign commercials.
Two years down the road, I might add.
Let's insist that the new House and Senate dedicate themselves to achieving some real forward progress in the here and now, and deflect inquiries about the next election with something like:
After all, I'm a guy who insists that there's a little festival called Thanksgiving which still falls between Halloween and Christmas - all evidence to the contrary. Good Lord, one network was running How The Grinch Stole Christmas last night, local stores are advertising "Holiday Savings!!!" in red and green, and my neighborhood is already festooned with inflatable snowmen and Santas.
Eeesh!
So call me a traditionalist if you will. Label me "old fashioned." But I also seem to remember that there's a moderately important interval between midterm and presidential elections we used to call governing the nation.
Which is why I think one of our first orders of business as a citizenry should be sending a clear message to the media and members of both political parties to quit talking about 2008. Immediately.
Jeezus, people, the metaphorical ink isn't even dry on Tuesday's ballots, and already the airwaves are abuzz with analyses of "presidential front-runners" and "winning tickets." I hate to distract anyone from the business of 24/7 campaigning for the White House, but in case you haven't noticed, there are a few minor problems facing the country that demand some serious consideration first.
Our elected officials already waste far too much of the time they're supposed to be representing our interests assembling election war chests and strategic advisory teams. And they certainly don't need further encouragement from prognosticating pundits who ought to be discussing the things that need fixing over the next two years.
So shut up already about '08, and focus on the little issues at hand. You remember. Iraq. The economy. Civil rights. The environment. Oversight and accountability. A big part of Tuesday's mandate for change was a collective demand that Congress simply do its damn job, and stop making legislative decisions based on how well they'll play in a spate of 30-second campaign commercials.
Two years down the road, I might add.
Let's insist that the new House and Senate dedicate themselves to achieving some real forward progress in the here and now, and deflect inquiries about the next election with something like:
"It's far too early to let our attention wander two years ahead. We must first work hard to face America's current challenges, and find real solutions to her problems. If I were concentrating now on the 2008 race, I simply wouldn't be doing the thing I've been sent to Washington to do by the voters."Seems to me that if our representatives actually get something done in the next 18 months, those tickets and campaigns will take care of themselves. It's up to us to ensure that they do just that.
posted by Bob P @ 4:08 AM
2 Comments:
A great idea. But so is making me the country's dictator. And energy independence. And free love. And a living wage for all. And peace, love and harmony.
It appears you're one of the few people with as active a fantasy life as me - ahh, the pleasures of alternative realities and no drugs needed.
But one question: is talking about not talking about it, talking about it?
Why Ms. Star, how presumptious. Who said there were no drugs involved...
True, my rhetorical wish is precisely that. I'm just so weary of the endless campaigning - especially when it leads directly to a lack of governance.
As for your other ideas (respectively): Fine with me, super, hubba hubba, absolutely, and f#%kin' A! And I'll ponder your final brain twister with lips respectfully sealed...
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