No drum beats from this sadder-but-wiser voter
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| Mary Wakefield Buxton |
by Marry Wakefield Buxton
Urbanna, Va.— I’m worn out with politicians. Discouraged, frustrated and burned out from paying so many taxes over the years trying to pay for all their promises. I am wondering if I have the fortitude to endure yet another presidential campaign?
I suppose some people still beat the drums for their party’s choice for president? Not me. It seems all politicians do is make promises they can’t deliver, say anything to get and keep power, spend our hard-earned money like it was easy for us to earn, tax workers to death, get us involved in wars we never wanted to fight, put us squarely on the wrong side of international issues, blame others for the problems they can’t solve, inflate our money and, finally, no matter whom we elect, continue to nudge the nation even closer to bankruptcy.
Some will even stir up resentment or hatred amongst citizens in order to get elected; taking a page out of Machiavelli’s book “The Prince,” and using every trick possible in order to divide the electorate, keep us riled up and turn our attention on anything other than their own inaptitude. Then, they retire on government pensions and benefits and live like fat cats for the rest of their lives and at our expense.
Does that sound just a bit jaded? Could be. But I have seen too many scoundrels come and go over the years. I wish politicians would reform themselves, set term limits, put an end to their own high salaries, benefits and pensions, return home, start a business and hire someone. That is, if they really wanted to lend the nation a helping hand.
I’m in Naples, Florida, this month enjoying some sunshine and much-needed rest after a hellish year working at the firm. Last year I learned just how hard it is to own and operate a small business, what making payroll every week means in terms of stress and hard work, and how many taxes employers have to pay in order to stay in business. I spent more than one sleepless night worrying about meeting the next tax deadline.
It was a great year for waking up to reality. I wish more politicians understood how the private sector functions, owned and operated a business and earned a profit before they ran for office. Then, they might realize just how damaging some of their policies are to business, jobs and the overall economy.
I believe all politicians should have business experience before they run for office so they understand how the private sector works to create wealth and jobs. (Readers are hereby advised I support Mitt Romney for president because of his business experience however, I will vote for any presidential candidate that offers new leadership to the nation.)
When I heard Newt Gingrich was coming to Naples after his stunning victory in South Carolina, I groaned. We need a president who knows how to pull us out of this recession, but could I withstand even one more campaign speech?
Oh, the unending political slogans we trusting voters are fed, so many come to mind from past campaigns… the “Great Society,” “New Frontier,” “Fair” or “Square deals,” “Making the world safe for democracy,” “Mission accomplished,” or “Change we can believe in,” and all the various other catchy phrases voters are given like feverish children lined up for a spoonful of medicine we must swallow during every election.
But with Newt’s arrival to a park just six blocks from where I live in Naples, I grimly prepared for the coming election. I decided to try my best to be tolerant and walk over to Gambier Park to listen with an open mind as to what he had to say.
There he was in an enthusiastic crowd… round, egotistical, full of himself, with that mop of white hair on his head we so quickly recognize and an impish look on his face as if to say, ”Look, Ma, no hands!” The adoring throngs of believers crowded as close as they could to be in his holy presence.
I heard the same old promises that over the years I have more or less translated to: ”You really should vote out the last scoundrel and vote in a new scoundrel,” or thereabouts, and I sincerely wondered if I could withstand four years of the grandiose pronouncements we have come to expect of Speaker Gingrich.
Yet, come what may I will cast my vote for new leadership this November hoping beyond hope we can elect someone who can turn our nation around. Maybe Republican leadership can save us. I don’t know. Just don’t expect any drum beats from this sadder-but-wiser voter.
