Now What?
The 2010 election season is behind us and what a mess we have created. I was the Democratic nominee for US Senate in Idaho. To say I lost my shirt would be an understatement. Someone said to me after the election "If chickens could vote in Idaho they would elect Colonel Sanders". I think people want to make the right decision but they fall victim to right wing fear mongering, conservative controlled press outlets and outright lies by the power players with too much money. Most of us do not have the time to fully investigate every issue, so we end up listening to the media. We trust that the media is honest and unbiased. Unfortunately that is far from reality. Why? Because those with money, want more. Plain and simple.
I personally can see a better America, where those with money can make more but not at the cost of everyone else. At some point we have to realize that if all of the toys are reserved for the top 1% of the population we should expect anarchy. This is not the type of re-balancing we should wait for, but rest assured this is where we are heading.
Early on in my campaign I decided to run on the issues that I believed in rather than what has been sold to the American public. These are issues that I know the American public believes in also, but most people running for office are afraid to admit openly. Issues like,
You should be able to see a doctor if you are sick
You should be able to get a good job with benefits
People should be working their way into the middle class not falling out of it
More things should be made in America
Our schools should be better and teachers should make more money
Tax cuts for the rich don't make sense when we are 14 trillion in debt
Social Security is good
Helping those in need is not a bad thing
Unemployment Insurance is good when unemployment is at 10%
I have found that even the most devout conservative can agree with me on most of these issues if we have an opportunity to discuss them. Numbers, facts, logic, compassion and sensibility are all things that trump sensational media rhetoric when discussed openly but unfortunately there just wasn't enough time. I did try and I will try again, hopefully we do not need to hit bottom before the masses are willing to really listen.
