Irony of Presidential Elections

[CraigSca]

After reading Flasch's flipflip posting, I began to think. (uh oh)

Is the American public fooling themselves? I mean, isn't hypocrasy an inherent by-product of running for President (and just getting oneself on the ticket)? Does any side truly believe that THEIR candidate is beyond reproach and solely running for President to "better" America? I believe that the candidate may perhaps believe this, but along the way, in order to even get elected to a position where a Presidential campaign is possible, a certain "sell-out" or selling of one's soul is almost a given. True?

I mean, donations are accepted all the time from labor unions, corporations, special interest groups, etc., in order to secure a vote, pass legislation, ensure re-election, etc.

Therefore, are all the verbal fisticuffs worth it? Aren't we all idiots for defending our candidate/party and calling the other candidate/party "a bunch of liars", "weasels", etc. when the same can be said for both sides?

Is this really a situation that can be fixed, and are we to blame?

Politics sucks.

[Joe]

it's like rain on your wedding day

[Crapshoot]

its a free ride when you already paid...

[Buccaneer]

Thus is the nature of the dominant 2-party beast. You have to run on your platform even if you have said, acted and voted the opposite. Political party machines (as have been going on for 2 centuries) are the unfortunate by-product of our political system but given free elections and human nature, there isn't a better system unless you believe in Utopia.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Politics sucks.

Quoted for truth.

[Surtt]

it's like rain on your wedding day


That's considered good luck (fertility) in other countries.

[larrymcg421]

People always say they want the system to change but when it comes down to it, they chicken out. They vote for Bush over McCain and Kerry over Dean.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Does any side truly believe that THEIR candidate is beyond reproach and solely running for President to "better" America?

FWIW, I'd say the answer is no. Both sides, by & large, simply believe that virtually anybody would be an improvement over the opposition.

Is this really a situation that can be fixed

I'd say no to that too, or at least incredibly unlikely. I don't believe anybody who could earn my unqualified support on their own merit (as opposed to earning it by comparison) is a)electable and/or b)dumb enough to want the lousy job.

... and are we to blame?

Not really, some things just ... are. The situation is something that took years to evolve & I see no sign that it's going to turn around.